Green and brown mountains under blue sky

Of all the places in Europe the Alps hold a special place in my heart. As a Kurd I think the mountains kind of run through my veins. But they're also one of the few locations you can only reach by using your very own feet. So many of the narrow mountain paths are only accessible by foot and crossing a wind-gap by any other means is close to impossible. Hence, it is such an untouched domain. It's no wonder then that you might hike for days on end without seeing any other soul but the occasional herd of sheep and goats. It is a whole world above the ground – so peaceful and beautiful – where all the issues from big cities and states just dissipate and leave you with a sense of calm. A calm, that is unique in every way.