Moldova – C-H-I-S-I-N-A-U

Chisinau is the capital of Moldova (try pronouncing that one correcty!) It is a big city with green everywhere. The parks here are a big part of the culture. Happiness here is going to the park. Whether you’re walking the dog, taking a stroll, hanging out with friends or even working! All the parks here have free wifi so on every bench is someone with a laptop. I’ve never seen so many people actually doing something proactive in a park. Our guide told us all about the history of Moldova, which I honestly now remember very little of. What I did take from it is that Moldovans are very proud of their country and it’s a pity the world doesn’t seem to know much about it. It is a truly beautiful place. The food is excellent (especially these little fried potato based pancakes with different fillings). The people are so open and happy to share their culture with you. Oh, and we also have Moldova to thank for the one-hit-wonder-boys-band Ozone.

We drove from Montenegro to the capital of Albania, Tirana. The drive was long and arduous. It’s all sinuous country roads and small villages. The upside is that it’s a very scenic route. The Albanian countryside is immense and beautiful. Until it got dark, then it was just never-ending. 

We were very happy to finally arrive in Tirana. The next day we tried to discover a bit of the city but it is hard to get around, as the language barrier is very limiting. It might have been this language difference that refrained people from opening up to us. Although the few people we did manage to communicate with were quite helpful and friendly.

The country has had a tough history. As former Soviet Union countries go, it’s had one of the worst times getting back on it’s feet. 

But it is good to see that despite all this, the capital seems to be thriving with buildings growing everywhere and all the looks of a modern metropolis.

Our time in Serbia was a lesson in togetherness that marked one of those uniquely special times on this trip that will always be remembered.  Our first evening started out simply enough, meeting some local bloggers over dinner who quickly became fast friends. Right up front, we were told that happiness in Serbia is togetherness and together with our new friends, we had no problems figuring out the truth of that.  

Happiness in Belgrade is togetherness. You see it everywhere with people together in the parks, walking the streets or at coffee shops.

When you are meeting knew people, you are testing the waters, figuring out who's who and trying to see where it will all go.  With this group, it seemed like no time at all before the jokes were flying, life stories were being shared and friendships were forming. From dinner, to a walk through the city, then ending up in a cafe after dark, it was being together with these wonderful people, forming bonds and experiences that showed us in truth what happiness in Serbia was. The coolest part of being there was that we didn't need to try. There were no special tricks, nothing fancy, nothing contrived. True to their words, it was just being together that created happiness.

Our host had something different and fun planned for us in Bucharest. A bike tour! What a great way to discover a city. We set off in the early morning and planned our itinerary so we saw a list of places that make the people there happy. 
 

We started with a beautiful park. It’s a true sanctuary in the middle of a busy noisy city. As soon as you ride into the park, the noise of traffic leaves way to the chirping of birds. It’s easy to understand why we saw so many people in the park even at early morning. Next we headed to the Parliament house, because it is a national pride being the largest building in the world after the Pentagon. Then a pretty little church because Romanians are very religious and have many beautifully decorated ancient churches. Then downtown Bucharest because people love to hang out in that spot and meet up with their friends. The city is simply amazing. We had so much fun! 
 

We met more people in the afternoon at a press conference. We had a great time chatting to everyone. They were so interested in our stories. And we interested in their lives. In some places we have had to make somewhat of an effort to get along with the people. It can be because of language barriers, cultural differences, shyness or simply a wrong ‘vibe’. But in Bucharest conversation flowed so easily. It is one of those things that cannot be defined. It happens without you realizing and when it’s over you are left with a happy feeling inside.

Estar en Bulgaria fue toda una experiencia dentro de los marcos temporales de la expedición: mientras estuvimos allí cumplimos seis meses de estar viajando a lo largo y ancho de este apasionante planeta. Veníamos procedentes de Macedonia. Hicimos un viaje por carretera que nos llevó por algunos de los parajes más hermosos que puedan imaginarse. Al llegar a Bulgaria, después del hermoso viaje por carretera que tuvimos, ya traía en mente muchas consideraciones que habían surgido a lo largo no sólo de la carretera sino a lo largo de estos seis meses. Al buscar lo que es la felicidad de otros seres humanos nos encontramos, irremediablemente, ante la búsqueda de nuestra propia felicidad. Siempre he considerado que debemos ser felices nosotros mismos para después poder compartir esa felicidad con otros seres humanos. Para hacerles la historia corta puedo decirles que al día siguiente conocí a jóvenes búlgaros que, de una u otra manera, compartieron conmigo su perspectiva respecto de la felicidad. En ellos se manifestaba, entre otras cosas, cómo el gozo que tienen al ir a pescar. La experiencia de poder encontrarse en un mundo más sencillo, libre de estrés, con una caña de pescar en las manos y la certeza de que todo va a estar bien es lo que los llena de felicidad. Y ambos compartieron conmigo la visión de que uno debe empezar por uno mismo cuándo se trata de ser felices. Después me dijeron que consideraban a Bulgaria cómo un lugar lleno de una vibra particular, con un algo que no podían definir bien, pero que se encuentra en todo lo que los rodea: en los aromas de su tierra, en el timbre de la voz de su gente, en el verde de sus árboles, en la caricia de su viento, en las miradas que se cruzan día a día, en infinidad de cosas. Y todas esas cosas son las que los llenan de felicidad.

Macedonia was the birthplace of world-renowed humanitarian Mother Theresa.  That fact is something that they are very proud of and that spirit of helpfulness is something that has become a part of their legacy and also something that they hold on, it seems, as a populace.  Entering the city center, we saw a large clock on a building that had stopped, no longer working.  We were told that this clock stopped working during the last major earthquake that devastated the city and marks the exact time that the quake struck.  After the city was rebuilt, the clock was left the way it was to mark the tragic event.  We were also told that this earthquake was a great example of the Macedonian helping spirit.  The entire country came together to help those in need and to rebuild all that had been lost. There were people who spoke of their friends, their family and of peace but Mother Theresa's spirit lives on here in the way that everyone holds on to and has pride in that helping spirit.  

We arrived in Slovakia by train. We were coming from Austria and the experience, even though it was short (just one hour), was amazing. Tony and Kelly were sitting and talking and I was a couple of seats away trying to grasp as much as possible: the train moving along the beautiful and stunning countryside, the other persons in the train reading their newspapers (or books), talking and sharing or the ones that were just taking a nap before arriving to their final destination. Then we got into our hostel and our hostess told us that almost everyone in the city was going to do something that afternoon: watch the game between Slovakia and Italy. Everyone was eager to watch the match. Our hostess told us: “A lot of persons are going to the public viewing area. You want to see some strong emotions and, hopefully, happiness? Then you have to go there”. So we did.

Kelly and I are watching the Slovakia vs Italy game. As soon as we got to the public viewing area they told us that since we are here we should paint a Slovakian flag on our faces. Everyone's wearing the Slovakian colors and they seem super happy... So we are experiencing local happiness by rooting for Slovakia!

And to tell you the truth it’s been one of the best matches we’ve seen so far during the World Cup. Certainly it was because the game itself was super exciting but I have to tell that being there with all the Slovakians watching the match, witnessing their passion, their emotions flowing (we even saw girls crying out of joy whenever Slovakia scored) and simply enjoying the football match made it even better.

Speaking about happiness, guys: Slovakia's third goal!

You could feel passion, excitement and happiness everywhere you looked. It felt almost as a huge communion, a huge party and we’re glad we were there not only to witness it but to take a part in it.

How to avoid the common places when writing? It’s kind of hard whenever you’re travelling as much as we do. Every single day Tony, Kelly and I have a new experience; every single place we go to blows, for some reason or another, our minds; every single place prints something permanent on our beings. Well, ladies and gentlemen, Bosnia wasn’t the exception. The overview we had from the sky was simply a gift: mountains, hills, trees… greenery everywhere you looked and engaging clouds covering the whole city. Just before we landed I was already happy (I know: I’m such a tree hugger). Then we had the chance to drive through different parts of the city. Our hostess told us: “Look at the buildings, you see?” while pointing at the holes made by bullets. “After having very difficult times, simple things are what makes us happy”. After such lesson we went to the Old Town. We saw a kid feeding the pigeons near the kiosk and people drinking water from one of the public fountains. Then our hosts told us about various local traditions and one of them is to enjoy a cup of coffee (they call it black elixir) while sitting at the table with friends and drinking their coffee very slowly.

It’s as if they’re enjoying every sip of coffee, every word that comes out of their mouths. Bosnia is a place full of history, where different views of life converge. Bosnia is a place with delicious food and friendly people, where we remembered that there are certain things that we shouldn’t take for granted: such as having the possibility of sitting down with a loved one just to talk and share a cup of coffee.

We met some people in the capital city Zagreb. ‘So what do people do for fun here?’ we asked. Instead of just answering they decided to show us. As it was a sunny day, the first step was having a cold drink at a café on the main square. 

We discussed every day life and were soon talking about dreams and ‘what do you wanna be when you grow up?’s. One girl blurted out : ‘I wanna be a rockstar!’ Well naturally we wanted some proof of that. She refused flat out to sing in front of the camera and wasn’t comfortable even being filmed at all. But then something changed. As we spent time chatting and getting comfortable with each other she suddenly felt happy to sing to heart’s content. As we rocked out in the square we attracted some strange looks but that’s what having fun is all about. Feeling giddy we all headed to do the next thing on these Croatian’s ‘happy list’ : Ice cream! They took us for a stroll around the city with our fresh home made ice cones in hand and we stopped in the park for some more goofing around. They said that there was one last thing on their list that we unfortunately could not experience: the beach! Any real Croatian loves the beach! So we promised to come back one day and go with them to the coast for a complete Croatian happy day.

Vienna is to me one of the prettiest cities in Europe. The architecture is amazing and the feel of it combines modern city with traditional beauty. 
We got there on a beautiful sunny day. In countries where the winters are long and summers lovely but brief, a day of sunshine is greatly appreciated. 

 
This was obvious as most of the people we spoke to had big smiles on their faces and told us the sun made them happy. Although one person did mention chocolate bars as the optimization of happiness.
We headed to Museum Square where there are many benches and fountains where the city folk love to hang out on a sunny day. As we strolled around the square from one lounging group to the other we absorbed the happy atmosphere. The people were deeply appreciative of the suns warm rays and content in just absorbing the warmth in the company of friends. What better way to spend a sunny day than hanging out with friends and sharing the glow of everyone’s inexplicable good humor, which invariably accompanies a summer’s day in the city of Vienna.