10 commandements (for dog owners)

My documentary: what I have learn from my journey with dog, and what I want everyone travelling with their dogs to know:

10 dog owner commandments (when travelling)

1 - Dog is my companion and friend
2 - I am responsible "owner" of my dog, aware of it's needs, not only local rules (muzzle, toilet, leash   walks)
3 - plan your trips beforehand - be aware of restrictions, but also be spontaneous and try. Where is no security checking your every move, you can try, after all, the worst thing that can happen, you will be told "no".
4 - remember to always have more water then just for yourself, and small bowl for your dog
5 - when walking miles in hot weather, especially in towns on hot pavement, understand why your dog might be complaining - pavement might burn his/her feet! remember to take lots of breaks (or buy doggie shoes)
6 - Always have poo bags with you (towns), unless you are in countryside where no one cares. After all, you care what you feed your dog, so it's "natural" waste
7 - enjoy every minute with your dog, every place you go to
8 - try to choose some places where your dog will enjoy to be with you too. When you walk all day in town, find nice park or beach to go to for rest.
9 - if you are really dying to go to museum to see some art, leave your dog in hotel, but not for all day!!
10 - make this journey memorable, and encourage other dog owners to take their dogs for holidays!

 Enything is possible, when you try !!! 

My work, my project, my dream - Psim Tropem

So here we are. Me and my dog, at the end of our almost 2 moths journey, travelling around Europe. Tomorrow we go back to England. This trip might be finished for now, on the continental Europe, but it will still continue when we go back to UK. As long as I have my wonderful dog Missouri at my side, there will always be something to tell about. New problems to face, new places to see, new people and dogs to meet. 

Stay with me and keep reading this blog, and I promise to keep you entertained! ;)

Today I tried dutch speciality, its a raw herring with chopped onion! I know, it sounds weird, but hey, have you ever eaten sushi? it was very much like that, just in dutch style ;)

Me and my Missouri in Wonderland.. - no, no ;) this lamp is in Delft in Netherlands. This city is well known for it's ceramic tableware and tiles, painted mainly, but not only with cobalt blue

In meantime I have loads of films and pictures to go through, and start editing them. I feel in my bones, that it will takes some big time to get through this, and I am wondering what can I do to find time and energy to finish my project and produce 1 hour film?!

I have different ideas in my head and I keep thinking what would be the best solutions? On one side, I should find work asap, to repair my finance, but I can't get stuck on it. Also it have to be some kind flexible so I could take care of my dog, and time to work on my project, as I want it to be ready for winter, or latest, beginning of next year, and holiday season.

 This is mosaic found in Delft, NL today. How funny; I see a message for me, 1 - a mosaic, something I would love to do for living, and 2. a target - something I have to go for! :)

"There’s no reason why you can’t do what you really want to do, you just have to want to do it"

...found today on internet ;)

Interview

Last few days went very quickly, I had interview after an interview. Giving and doing it. First time I gave an interview in my hometown to my local newspaper - they wrote nice story about my project Psim Tropem I am doing now. Later, at the Slow Down Festival I gave an interview to local tv about building a kiln during festival, then on the way to Wroclaw I interviewed a veterinarian, and in Wroclaw, director of Happy Animals Foundation, then the owner of vegan restaurant Vega which accepts all kind of pets; in Warszawa I interviewed press representative of polish train lines Koleje Mazowieckie; and then in Poznan director of Animal Security Foundation...

my official media patrons 

Feels like a lot of talking, but now I have even more precious material for my upcoming documentary;)
I am getting scared a little, when I think of editing it later!! How I am going to get through all of this? And when?? In 2 days I am going back to England. Broke. No money left, as all were consumed by my project (which nonetheless, I am happy for and convinced of it's righteousness. It was my dream, and very important reason - If I am able to save some dogs from being homeless - I won ;) Even if it's gonna be just one. But I hope there will be more!

Also, I hope I am going to save myself too ;) I want to change 9 to 5 life to more relaxed and artsy freelance. I was born with artistic soul, with freedom in my heart and my mind. I am like this bird who stop singing, when locked in a cage. I need to find solution for myself. It might be hard, but hey, I know it's doable!

Every day I am doing an interview with myself, asking if I've learn something new? Sometimes I think, that not much. But I know I feel different. I can't precisely say how, but just different. Will it stay with me when I go back to London? Will I stay strong within myself and carry on with my plans? I am asking myself questions like millions people do: how to do what I love and make a living out of it. And when doing it - do not get bored of it.

Here is my lovely companion Missouri, and behind her - part of amazing mosaic found just round the corner of my hotel in Rotterdam, NL. It's local community project

 I am going to be most happy doing this kind of beautiful things ;)

Satisfaction

So, last few days I worked hard to make some progress with my project. I found out about myself, that when I am in the middle of hard wok which I truly enjoy doing, I just can't stop! And that's not all. Most important thing of all, is the absolutely amazing feeling of pure SATISFACTION, when I see my project growing! It's getting shapes with every hour and every day. I think with this speed, I am likely to finish tomorrow ;) Thank you to my lovely hosts who let me do it for them! They gave me space in their new build home and trusted that it will be something they will enjoy forever. Obviously I made project first so it wasn't total surprise ;)

mandala mosaic inspired with local flora

Satisfaction - is when I do what I love doing. And when I work this way, this is not work. Even though it is little bit repetitive (putting tiny tile after tiny tile) it's not the same, because overall picture is constantly changing. Mandala is getting it's shape and colours. If any work on earth was like that, and was bringing such a feeling to every workers, everyone would be happy!

And I am happy :)

It is probably mixture of this beautiful place, in the middle of nature, loads of sunshine, delicious food, and most important - fantastic people. And my dog - who is the reason for my trip, and my partner in adventures:)

Thank you Universe! And thank you to Myself! That I decided to do it for ME :) 

Dogs in shops - France

I want to share with you incredible fact from France. Well, firstable, my presence and experience of France is not finished yet, but nonetheless I need to say it now before I "forget" ;) As we went shopping for tiles, I took my dog - and you know?? No one said anything inside the shop! Apparently here it's normal. You can't take your dog to food store, but anywhere else it's ok. Obviously priority have small "handbag" dogs, but still! This is great! I wish this was the same everywhere in the world :)

shopping with dog

it took us almost all day, but here they are: 4 of 7 colours ready to be used for mosaic

Hot like in the oven

It's crazy that I've been craving so much for the sun, and now, where I am is so crazy hot, that I can't stand being in direct sun! But after living almost 9 years in UK, where sky is clouded 350 days in a year; suddenly being every day in over 30'C in the shade make me feel that all my insides are boiling!
Nevertheless, this morning just after 9am we went for a walk to nearby cascades. It was supposed to be 15-20 min walk, which happened to be 40...  but we finally got to the cascades. Lovely place only local people know about it. Missouri finally was in 7th heaven! She run up and down the stream and dive in toll grass.

This is her smiling face :)

and lovely cascades 

Day is almost done. I am so happy I left London behind. Being close to nature, with my dog, sun,  blue sky, beautiful weather, nice people around me - is that what I need, I like the way french people live. No rush. No anger. No cursing. Delicious food. Ripped sweet fruits, organic vegetables,  fantastic atmosphere ;) ...the only problem is; I have to admit, that I don't speak french :( I't feels so hard to remember words, and their pronunciation.... oh la la.. !

I arrived to live for a week with french family. I came across them during my search on Workaway website. I wanted to live with local people, breathe their normal life, help them out with their project, learn something new, experience unknown. Away from tourist route. I have designed a mosaic for their new house. Tomorrow we are going to get tiles and I can start braking and putting them together in a floral mandala. I hope it will be as beautiful as it is in my vision ;)

sunday roast in the sun

Yeah, it was baking hot!- It's been few days only and I already got a tan :) No wonder if you get walking around in this lovely weather. It was exciting to go around and enjoy beauty of french countryside, od Languedoc Rousillion.

There were hills, and vineyards on every "corner"

local beautiful fauna and flora

also, just by looking at the letter box you can tell, what this owner is into - wine making!

and yes, I did tried to learn some french as you can  see..

Also, As we got walking we came across this! Amazing! 

Such things should be installed on every corner in every city, London, Paris...  But what's great, this wasn't a large city, it was just a bigger village! I am not sure if you can see it on the picture, but from that round hole you can pick up a poo bag, and put it back in top bucket, (sorry not on the picture). At the end we had to look for a place to cool down, as Missouri just lied down on the side of the road and refused to keep walking in this heat. This summer is her first in her life, and so hot as well!!

We found a spot in Saint- Chinianais 

Good morning sunshine !

Good morning south France!!! It's beautiful sunshine, blue sky, and hot, hot, hot! That's what I needed! I hope my Missouri will handle heat as well as I do. But so far she is cooling on the cold tiles in our house.

This is where we stay

So we are in... ? Actually I am not sure yet exactly where?! Well, it all started with visiting website "workaway" where I found our hosts. We will stay here for a week, and I will help them to build their house. I have to admit, that when yesterday I was arriving to Beziers I was feeling sick of being nervous. (I even left my beautiful hat in TGV train out of this.. )That maybe it's some kind of dodgy thing, marocans wanting to kidnap me for sale in faraway lands? :P
Well - nothing bad happened. I was greeted by nice lady, who took as on the way home to another village for a local fete. It was amazing!! Omg! It was in this kind of atrium, a square inside of a building, (one of those you get in south Europe), where was set up small stage, on which was playing local jazz band. There was some food and wine. Local people chatting and having loads of fun! Warm night and stars above us. What else did we need ;)

Greeting for those travelling with dogs! And everyone else who read this blog!!! 

Never give up - 3 simple rules in life

Only 2 days now left for my trip. And all I can write today is that:

And the most important which keeps me going is the 3rd one, and obviously the number 1 ;)

Almost ready!

I still have 3 days to go, but I am almost completely packed and ready to go! I'm glad I started early, and that my friend came over to make sure I won't take too much :) There is one thing I am still very much considering; and quite actually can't stop thinking about it!! Shall I, or shall I not - quickly sell my camcorder and buy GoPro for my trip?? ... I already know I will have a problem to do filming from camcorder. When I do it from hand - it's always shaky.. On the tripod, quality of a film is great - but how to manage a dog and a super light, tall tripod?? when dog keep mowing around my feet, distracted by other people, dogs, pigeons, flies, cars, noise etc.. I already came to the decision NOT to take my tripod. I even start using my iPhone to do some filming (It actually came out pretty good)

Can anyone give me advice?

This is how Missouri takes travelling in the London Underground - sleeping all the way through

Last day at work

Last day at the office. I feel weird! I am leaving work to pursue my dream! So many questions, fears, hopes and visions mix up in my head.. - But I know I need to do it, there is no back up now, and many reasons for that. Also, I came across this today: borrowed from easytobook.com website

Nothing more, nothing less

Life is too short to be wasted

Only 1 week left for my adventure!
It's been already a year since I came up with this idea - and now it's coming up for real!
I am going for a trip around Europe with my dog - lovely samoyed girl name Missouri. During this trip I will be filming our adventures and taking tons of photos ;) And when I come back - I will make a movie, and maybe a book or at least story for a travel magazine!

When I was very young I was addicted to travelling documentaries, books and old good encyclopedia. I dreamed to be a world explorer and a globetrotter. Discover places and people in faraway lands.
I did some travelling before, mostly Europe and a bit of south east Asia. But it just always left me craving for more!

I am getting to be 35 this year, but at heart I am barely 25. And I still look like 25 though ;) Two years ago I had brain tumor, and then realized that life is too short to be wasted on doing things I don't like, so I started to build my life around things I like and always wanted to do! I made my bucket list, and now I am in a process of getting one of them done now!

So far I completed 3 of them
1 - visiting Neuschwanstein Castle in Germany, famous "Disney" castle
2 - meeting Monty Roberts
3 - getting a dog

and this is my 4th one! - making travelling documentary while travelling with my dog:)