Exploring the Mystique of the Black Sea and Ourselves
I knew that in April I could not expect to go swimming, but I imagined a beach with wide expanses of sand where I could sit and stare at the Black Sea. Given its name, I assumed it to be dark and mysterious. Given its location, with the countries of Ukraine, Bulgaria, Romania, Moldova, Turkey, Russia, and Georgia on its borders, I thought of it as exotic.
The name Black Sea is thought by some to have its origins in the sea’s severe storms, which make the water appear dark as well as dangerous. Others say it is because of the high concentration of hydrogen sulfide in the sea which creates a black sludge from dead plant and animal matter. Still others say the name comes from the Anatolian Turks who referred to it as Black because that is their designation for North, while their sea to the South was called the White Sea.
The Greeks called the Black Sea the “Inhospitable Sea” because it was difficult to navigate, particularly in a storm, and hostile tribes lived on its shores. They changed the name, however, once the coast was settled by Greek colonists, to “Hospitable Sea.”
Our travel itinerary said we’d have the afternoon free in Varna, the third largest city in Bulgaria, after touring Roman ruins and visiting their famous Archeological Museum. A bustling seaport and resort, Varna has been described as having stunning beaches. I didn’t want to waste time shopping or sitting in a restaurant, I wanted to visit the beach.
Just walk along through Primorski Park, suggested our guide. It runs parallel to the sea. Established in 1878, the green park filled with mature trees, home to the city’s aquarium, zoo and planetarium runs approximately 8km above the beachfront. Paved paths and benches provide distant views, however I wanted to walk in the sand.
A lower sidewalk runs parallel to the beach. My husband and I walked down and began to look for a way through to the beach. Our view was blocked by large buildings, primarily bars and restaurants. One after another, they usurped any view of the water.
Finally, we spotted a door that took us through a restaurant and out to an open patio with bar service. Beyond was the beach.
We walked along the shore, until the beach edge began to diminish and then took a set of stairs upwards, walked through the park and arrived at a stadium near our hotel.
That night we had a group dinner in the second-floor dining room of one of those same restaurants we’d walked past on the beach in the afternoon. Step out on to the deck, where more tables were located, and the view was spectacular. This was a vantage point I hadn’t seen.
I’m one of the privileged. I’ve seen and enjoyed multiple beaches and I’m accustomed to parks, nature preserves and places which are open and unspoiled. But what if supplies and real estate are limited and everyone wants a piece of the action? Greed can do a lot of damage. Beaches can get overbuilt and spoiled quickly. I think of the old Joni Mitchell song, “Big Yellow Taxi” about paving paradise and putting up a parking lot.
Many Americans decry regulations, everything from building codes to the color dyes allowed in our food are being questioned, but there’s a reason for some oversight. Think about something you took for granted that no longer exists. More houses built without proper planning and infrastructure can cause gridlock and increase the time it takes you to get to work. Foods containing harmful additives can affect your health.
More people sharing the same resources should encourage us to think about how our actions impact others, but that doesn’t always happen. It is however, the good subject for a WRITING PROMPT.
My grandmother always told me that if a lady is sitting in front of you is wearing a big hat, you should ask her to remove it so it doesn’t block your view. I often wondered what would happen if I asked and she refused. What about if she or he has a high puffy hair style?
We know what can happen when we are driving, ask to be let into traffic and are refused. We get frustrated. These conflicts are rife with tension and drama. If people carry guns, shots are sometimes fired.
Use the conflict and tension in your writing. As a human, writer or reader, think about how your actions impact others.
SECOND WRITING PROMPT or Thought Exercise.
Okay, so I was disappointed the beachfront wasn’t as I’d imagined it would be and it wasn’t more visible from Primorski Park, but I did walk on the beach. The sun was shining and I walked along the shore of the Black Sea.
Imagine a situation that turned out differently than you’d anticipated it would. Were you able to find a way to salvage the outcome? Did you find things to enjoy? What did you learn? Write a scene or just imagine in your mind the way you can find something good to appreciate. Surprise yourself. Maybe an inhospitable sea can be turned into a hospitable one.
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Thanks again.
Originally published at http://nadjamaril.com on May 22, 2025.
