Three and a half years ago, we came to Bansko for the first time to attend the Worldschool Hub during the winter. It was one of those experiences that changed the course of our travels. It’s where we met our dear friends, the Sigstons, along with several other incredible families. Many of those same families are back here with us this summer, and it has been so much fun picking up right where we left off.
Seeing Bansko in the summer has been a completely different experience. Instead of snow-covered mountains and ski lifts, everything is lush, green, and alive. The weather is warm during the day, but thankfully the mountain air cools things off at night. It’s hard to believe it’s the same town.
The first week of the hub has been a whirlwind. Between introductions, nature hikes, ATV riding, relaxing in the hot springs, worldschooling roundtable discussions, calisthenics, and countless impromptu meetups with friends, there has barely been a moment to slow down.
And then there are the Bansko street dogs. Many of them are enormous, but so sweet! When we were here 3 1/2 years ago, we volunteered at Bansko Street Dogs and walked the dogs. Lucas and Henry could barely walk them back then.
Living here for a month is also reminding us that long-term travel is rarely glamorous. Our apartment is definitely an upgrade from where we stayed three and a half years ago, but it’s still small and simple. Lucas and Henry have claimed the loft space with no door. There’s no air conditioning, but fortunately we haven’t really needed it since the evenings cool down so nicely. The biggest challenge has been the kitchen. We have just a tiny two-burner hob, a miniature refrigerator that’s about the size of a hotel beer fridge, and no washing machine. Since the boys each have their own food budget and enjoy cooking for themselves, trying to fit four people into such a tiny kitchen can feel like a carefully choreographed dance.
Without laundry facilities, I’ve gone back to old-school travel living and have been washing our clothes in the bathtub. Surprisingly, it’s working much better than I expected! Michael also had one of those wonderful travel moments that reminds you how kind people can be. He met one of our neighbors, who has an extra full-size refrigerator she’s not using. She’s letting us borrow it for the month, and she even offered to let us run a few loads of laundry in her washing machine. Those little acts of generosity make such a difference when you’re living out of suitcases.
As always, worldschooling is about so much more than the destination. It’s about the people, the conversations, and the community that forms when families from around the world come together. We’re already making new friends while reconnecting with old ones. If the first week is any indication, this month will be full of laughter, learning, and unforgettable adventures.
