On 4 July, the garden of Freeway Hostel turned into a meeting place for travellers, volunteers, friends and families from different parts of Bulgaria and several other countries.
Around 30 people gathered for an easy-going summer evening with music, homemade food, conversations by the pool and plenty of time outdoors. Some guests had travelled from other cities, others were volunteers already connected through different projects, while local friends and people from Mindya joined in and made the evening feel like a true village gathering.
The music moved between the sounds of the 80s and 90s, reggae, rock, funk and fusion, creating exactly the kind of atmosphere Freeway is meant for: informal, open and full of different people sharing the same space. Children and adults enjoyed the garden and pool, while the covered outdoor area became the centre for food, dancing, stories and new friendships.
What made the evening special was not a strict programme, but the mix of people. Travellers, volunteers, villagers and friends met naturally, shared food and music, and stayed long after sunset under the lights in the garden.
This was more than a party. It was a small example of what a hostel in a village can become — a place where journeys cross, generations meet and people from different backgrounds feel at home together.
