The Rainbow Gathering: An adventure of a lifetime! (5 min read)

In the summer of 2014, while I was an exchange student in Innsbruck, I embarked on one of the most adventurous trips of my life. It all began during a solo travel stint to Budapest, where, in a hostel, I met a fellow traveler who told me about something called the Rainbow Gathering. It sounded surreal—an event where gypsies, hippies, and travelers from around the world come together in the mountains, far from civilization, to live communally without the interference of technology, sharing food, stories, and skills around bonfires under the stars. With a zest for adventure and curiosity in my heart, I decided I had to go.

I quickly found two other travelers who were equally intrigued, and we made plans to head to the gathering together. But, as fate would have it, I lost contact with them before we could leave. Alone in Budapest and unsure if they’d make it, I decided to go anyway. So, I hopped on a train heading north, toward the rural countryside of Hungary. The gathering was supposed to be near a place called Bercel, but the location was vague, and the directions people gave were cryptic, with mentions of following "flags" along the way.

By the time I arrived in Bercel, it was late evening, and the small, rural station was nearly empty. As night began to fall, I felt a wave of panic wash over me. I had no idea how I was going to find the Rainbow Gathering in the pitch-dark wilderness. I asked a local man on the train for help, and his kindness was overwhelming. He scoured the entire train, asking around for anyone else heading to the gathering. Finally, he introduced me to a woman with braided hair, thick glasses, and the unmistakable aura of a hippie. She was sketching what looked like the universe in a notebook, completely engrossed. When she finally looked up, I explained that I, too, was heading to the gathering, and she welcomed me to tag along. She was hitchhiking, and I figured if she was working in the canteen at the gathering, I could trust her.

As we stepped off the train in Bercel, her boyfriend appeared out of nowhere, and soon enough, we were hitching a ride with another traveler named Abraham, who was also going to the gathering. The journey through the darkened countryside was eerie but exhilarating. We passed trees marked with red flags, the only indicator that we were on the right path. Eventually, my new friend and her boyfriend got off at a different stop, leaving me alone with Abraham, who kindly reassured me that everything would be fine. After about an hour of driving through the wilderness, we arrived.

The route to the Rainbow Gathering and the entrance: 

 

The campsite was nestled deep in the mountains, illuminated only by the soft glow of distant bonfires. I hadn’t brought a tent, and it was freezing. Thankfully, Abraham had a large tent and offered to let me stay with him. Grateful, I dropped my stuff and soon struck up a conversation with a nearby Bulgarian family who shared their food with me. That night, I took part in the bonfire, with tribal dancing and music echoing across the mountainside. It was magical, and to my surprise, I even ran into the two travelers I had originally planned to come with, although they were too high and drunk to hold a proper conversation.

Staying in tents and getting to know the Bulgarian family: 

The next morning was just as surreal. After a very "natural" start to my day in the wilderness, I wandered the camp and met a gypsy woman who shared her thoughts on life, money, and happiness. Her words were simple but profound: she had been traveling for a long time, living without any connection to money, and she was entirely happy. In her eyes, the world had it all wrong about what happiness truly was. Her freedom and contentment struck a chord with me, challenging my own ideas about success and fulfillment.

Later that morning, I helped out in the communal kitchens, where everyone cooked together, volunteering their time. We prepared a massive pot of oatmeal, and before eating, we gathered in a circle to chant and pray. The sense of unity and community was palpable. Everyone formed part of a larger, interconnected whole, bound not by material wealth but by shared experiences.

After breakfast, the camp turned into a learning hub. People set up small classes, teaching whatever they knew—be it yoga, philosophy, or practical skills. I attended a session on exercise and another on philosophy, both leaving me with fresh insights and a sense of calm. As the day wore on, I knew I had to head back to Budapest, but there was the small problem of figuring out how to get there. Incredibly, a man who had come to deliver water to the camp offered me a ride. He was deaf and mute, but his kindness spoke volumes. We drove back to Bercel, and from there, I caught my train back to Budapest.

Spending time with the Gypsies and learning from each other:

Looking back, this experience was one of the most eye-opening and unique travels I’ve ever had. It wasn’t just about the adventure or the beauty of the mountains; it was about the people I met and the lessons I learned from them. The Rainbow Gathering taught me that there are so many different ways of living, and it opened my mind to the idea that happiness is not something tied to material wealth, but rather to experiences, relationships, and the freedom to live authentically.