There are nooks within the boundaries of Bulgaria that are worth visiting. Beauty spots, nothing short of cosy and calm, giving you all those warm, relaxing and fulfilling feelings you wish for during the flux of your regimented routine. An illustrative example of these is the lake ‘Crystal Eye’ and its green grounds, situated in Pirin Mountain, 10km away from the small town of Goce Delchev.
Doubtless, ‘Crystal Eye’ brings back a priceless backpack of memories to the locals, who have always reckoned it was their greatest pride. But if once upon a time only these people seized with both hands its beauty and energy, now time has come for them to show it off, opening its doors towards everyone who yearns for a piece of it. Impressive, luxury hotels have spotted the landscape. Around them, tiny markets and souvenir shops have grown, offering all stuffs tourists may need. For the visitors themselves, all is a perfect idyll, though for the locals and their natural wealth, it proves to be a mixed blessing. All the buildings scattered around are in consequence of merciless deforestation. Admittedly, providing such a comfort is abreast also of natural pollution of various kind – air, noise, water. Logically, the more people are there, the higher levels of garbage, noise, traffic are there, too. However, for environment is what is offered and sold, after all, rural people are attempting to make up for the damages caused. As is evidenced, they are caring for the animals by preserving their habitats; they are planting trees; they have governed by law fines for people who contaminate the water pools and the grounds.
What is to be admired about the tourist development of ‘Crystal Eye’ is that it is a perfect instrument in realizing cultural interaction. As part of the offers, locals are organizing get-togethers and walkings where cultural traditions are shared. Besides, rural people benefit also from additional incomes because to sustain tourism industry finances are essential. A hike in working places is also felt through more young people being appealed to the area. Though a bit less friendly and united, people are competitive and, hence, successful. Not unknown is that competition is what soars the spirits and determines people to develop and progress.
Every coin has two sides and same goes with the case about ‘Crystal Eye’. Not only benefits are there, but also some demerits that make the path rocky. After all, obstacles and hardships are to motivate us and aid us in stretching our imagination and ideas. The thing is we should save the togetherness of ourselves as a community and the respect for the Mother Nature. Nothing is irreversible – if we take with one hand, we may give with the other. It’s all about thought and belief.
