A tiny bottle full of wonder

As you walk down the street, you walk by a couple of colorful signs that have multiple hand written words across them. Someone would argue that they look a little bit sloppy, but if you look closely you can see that the person who made them put great effort to it. Usually people just walk past without giving it much thought. Same could be said about the town. Small fairly unimportant town located in the eastern part of Europe. However, if you decide to stop by, you will find out that the town is indeed full of mysteries. If you would walk past the circus colourful signs you would find yourself in front of a building. Old looking building that was built during the communism era. As bad as it looks it is one of the many cultural gems hidden in this little town. The facade is bland, grey and old. However, if you look closer at the photo you would notice little outbursts of colors. Which are reflected inside of the building too. Not many people would have guessed that it is a theatre. The usual movies are played there, but that is only the surface. The town has a theater club which is filled with talented people who are great at coming up with ideas but even better with depicting them on the stage. Again, the torn the theater seem bland but upon further inspection they hold gems. I have seen so many great plays in that little rundown theatre where the chairs smell of age and old popcorn and the wood on the stage squeals every time when anyone walks on it.

A few steps down the road and you can come across another old looking building. This one looks like it is from a different era like the previous one though. As we walk further into the down, the path of the history goes deeper and deeper as well. Butter white walls are yawning empty and are creating this peaceful scenery. Only one person is resting on the bench. Perhaps they are just passing by. Or maybe they are waiting for their class to begin. Yes indeed, the building is a school and not any kind of school. It is an after-class school dedicated to art, music and drama. Another old building filled with culture and art. The walls have had decades and decades of students coming in and out. Every now and then you can hear joyful melody or see a person in rush holding tight to their huge canvas that is yet to be filled with their imagination. At first I was not so motivated to go there and take classes. Eventually I got over my prejudice and finally enrolled there in my final year of high school. I have learned quite a lot and I wish I did not judge the exterior as much as I did and instead gave it a chance and looked deeper into it. Just as any passing person might think of this town. It is just a small nobody town right? Well the photos and stories so far have proven us otherwise.

In this photo you can see a family of trees. Lots of green and blue hues that are enveloped around yet another story. Some would say it is the gem of the town. Once a home for the rich, then a hospital where many of the citizens have started their life there and now a museum. Some might get intimated by the antique looks of it. It is guarded by a circle of a maze. There is no need to be scared because even little kids like to play in the maze and enjoy their summer days hiding behind the trees or roleplaying the medieval times. The manor and the photo need further explanation. Even if you would walk past by it, asking a local would bring you more story. One-meter thick walls hold many treasures that mark the history of the country but the town as well. It was used to show power and wealth, bring life and tend the sick and now as a messenger of culture and art.

Leaving the manor behind, walking down the road that is hidden under many trees you could come across another important landmark of the city. It almost feels like it is out of place when you compare this photo to the other photos. Someone could say that it was taken in a different city. That is not the truth. Like a blue emerald eye lies in the town a small lake. The emerald tints are broken every now and then by bursts of golden and orange colors that belong to the colourful fish. And maybe some old grumpy turtle too. The photo looks peaceful however the inside of the construction holds a gloomy secret. It is an antique tomb. Beautifully decorated, built right above the glittering lake. It is because the tomb is a home of the founders of the gardens and the town. Thanks to them our towns rich history began.

Our last stop on this adventure is this photo. And quite literally a sign too. Vivid red that is piercing through the old and antique aura of the town indicates that it is eventually getting modernized. I remember until this day that my town was always old school, antique and have not really tried to lift up its looks. But as of the recent years I started noticing little signs of new life and perhaps even more culture to the small number of citizens. As you can see in the photo, there is a bike sign. Back in the days we would just bike around left to right without any guidance. My favorite destination would be the town park that not many towns have. It is huge and a home of many trees and animals. It is almost like a miniature forest build right next to civilization. People would go there for simple walks with their dogs. People would go there to enjoy a Sunday afternoon after church. After the dusk people would go there to do other things. You could say there is always two sides to a coin. In the forest of culture, art and nature you could find violence, use of drugs and other shenanigans. However, it is mostly a peaceful almost boring city.

I might have described mostly places, but they each hold their own story and history. Town history but personal history as well. I grew up almost my entire life here and I almost never appreciated the cultural level of my tiny middle of nowhere town until I moved to America. Most people love to visit big flashy towns that are filled with fun, attractions, etc. However, nobody thinks twice about stopping in a small town and having a little adventure. All these photos look like they were taken from some significant city. Many people do not even know about the existence of these places. And that is only the tip of the iceberg. My country is small and overlooked as well. We live in the shadow of the western countries. It pains me, especially when there are castles scattered around my country. Pure nature that is the gem of this country. It honestly looks like a scenery cut out of the Lord of The Rings movie. My town was built hundreds of years ago. Rebuilt during the communism era and almost all of its old magic and culture was lost. I think we should appreciate how places can tell stories and uplift them instead of destroying them.