Summer in the Mountains
June 2022. Most people go to the beach in summer. We went to Bansko—a ski resort town in the middle of summer. Because when you’re developers, nothing makes sense and everything makes sense at the same time.
The plan? Team building, bonding, and some light treasure hunting. The reality? So much more chaotic and so much more fun.
Carpooling: The Prequel
First challenge: Getting everyone from Sofia to Bansko. Enter the carpool coordination spreadsheet that somehow worked.
Cars were assigned, playlists were curated, and off we went. Three hours of:
- Questionable music choices
- Debates about the best route (Google Maps vs “I know a shortcut”)
- Snack stops that turned into 30-minute breaks
- Carpool karaoke that should never be recorded
By the time we arrived, we’d already created enough inside jokes to last the entire trip.
The Treasure Hunt: When Developers Get Competitive
Someone thought it would be fun to organize a treasure hunt. Hardcore mode.
What we expected: A fun little scavenger hunt around town.
What we got: Absolute chaos.
How It Went Down:
Teams were formed. Maps were distributed. Rules were explained. And then all hell broke loose.
- Some teams took it seriously. Like, really seriously.
- GPS coordinates were analyzed like they were debugging production
- Arguments broke out over clue interpretations
- Someone accused another team of cheating (it was never proven)
- The winning team was almost too smug about it
- The losing team demanded a rematch (still pending)
Some people got angry. Not gonna lie. Turns out when you put competitive developers on a mission, they will COMPLETE that mission or die trying.
The treasure? Honestly, we don’t even remember. The journey was the real prize. And by journey, we mean the drama.
The Ladies Take Over
While the treasure hunt was creating tension, some of the team decided to take a different approach to team bonding.
The ladies proved that you don’t need a treasure hunt to have a good time. Smart move.
Dinner and Debrief
After the treasure hunt dust settled, we gathered for dinner. Food has a magical way of making everyone forget they were ready to fight over GPS coordinates an hour earlier.
The dinner table was long, the food was great, and the wine… well, let’s just say it flowed freely. Conversations ranged from:
- Post-mortem of the treasure hunt (heated)
- Debates about tech stacks (equally heated)
- Stories from past projects (embarrassing)
- Plans for world domination (ambitious)
- Random life philosophy (inevitable after bottle #3)
Midnight Talks: When Things Get Real
Here’s the thing about team building trips: The best conversations happen after midnight.
When the official activities are done, when most people have gone to bed, there’s always a group that stays up talking. About everything. About nothing. About code, life, dreams, and whether we’re all just NPCs in someone else’s simulation.
These conversations—the ones that happen at 2 AM with drinks and honest thoughts—are where real bonds form. Where coworkers become friends. Where you learn that your colleague who’s amazing at React also has a podcast about conspiracy theories.
The Morning After(s)
Every morning, we’d gather for breakfast. The energy levels varied wildly:
- Early risers: Annoyingly chipper, already on their second coffee
- Normal humans: Functioning, mostly coherent
- Night owls: Questioning their life choices, considering whether oatmeal counts as a hangover cure
Somehow, we all pulled it together and did it again the next night.
What We Learned
After a week in Bansko, here’s what we figured out:
- Never underestimate how competitive developers get about treasure hunts
- Carpooling creates bonds (and shared trauma over someone’s playlist)
- Midnight talks are where the magic happens
- Good food and wine can fix almost any treasure hunt disagreement
- Mountains in summer are actually pretty great (who knew?)
- Some people should not be in charge of navigation (no names)
The Return Journey
The drive back to Sofia was quieter. Everyone was:
- Tired (obviously)
- Sunburned (unexpectedly)
- Happy (definitely)
- Already planning next year’s revenge in the treasure hunt (absolutely)
The carpool groups had bonded. Some cars were silent with comfortable companionship. Others kept the energy going all the way home. Either way, we made it back in one piece.
Why It Mattered
Bansko 2022 wasn’t just about getting out of the office. It was about:
- Seeing each other as real people, not just Slack avatars
- Learning how your teammates handle competition (and loss)
- Creating stories that still come up in conversations
- Building a foundation of friendship that makes Monday mornings easier
Plus, now we know who to avoid if there’s ever a real treasure hunt. You know who you are.
Our Recommendation
For team building: Bansko in summer is underrated. It’s beautiful, it’s not crowded, and there’s something about mountains that makes you reflective (or maybe that was just the wine).
For treasure hunts: Maybe make them less hardcore. Or don’t. The drama was entertaining.
Want to join future adventures? Check our open positions and prepare your best carpool playlist.
P.S. - The treasure hunt debate continues to this day. We’re considering mediation.
