The mountains that we visited are called the Rhodopes. It’s the home of the Pomaks, an ethnic group originally from Bulgaria, that are Muslim. They live mainly in little villages such as this one, all over the mountains.

The villages are usually on hilltops, because it’s close to pastures and aren’t subjected to the spring floods.

The Pomaks still live a subsistance lifestyle, growing vegetables, and tending their goats.

The goats are all around the hillside.

I heard their bells everywhere I went, and I would see at least one herd come past everyday.

It’s certainly a world away from modern Athens. I wonder how long this way of life will last?