As an Indigenous Bashkir, caring for the environment is a core part of my identity, and choosing this 'green' route allowed me to slow down and deepen my understanding of who I am. These seven days crossing the Alps taught me that slow travel is an opportunity to live a 'small life'—one where every stop becomes a mirror for self-reflection and growth.

This journey proved that an eco-friendly lifestyle is about more than just using reusable items; it is about respecting both space and time. I learned to trust my intuition, finding moments of stillness in the mountains and drawing strength from my roots. This experience transformed a simple transit into a profound personal exploration, showing me how to belong to the world without losing my connection to myself.