Reflections

Bristol is slowly sinking into our personalities, mine and Missouri. Slowly becoming our city. Very slowly. I keep asking myself if it ever will become our home, or rather just a stopover. It has potential, but for now, we are going away again! Yeah! This saturday we are heading to France. Definitely for 2-3 weeks, but maybe longer.. ;) I think I secretly planned longer already. Same as last time, but this time, we will do different things. Some places are going to be the same, some not. Also, I will be working on editing my movie "Psim Tropem" (Dog's Trail).

At Strawberry Hill near our house, good spot for reflections

During stay in Bristol I had some time to think about my recent experiences while I travelled. How it influenced my life. I also had some thoughts about what is important to me in my life. And also I realised, that doing that 1st step towards travelling years ago, or rather deciding to live in another country than my own, I kind of lost my roots. It's sad. But also made my tougher. Stronger than I was. More confident. I am not perfect. Every day I battle with myself to be better for myself. And for my dog.
I was offered a job. Maybe it wasn't the best in the world, but I could feel I could be good at it. Problem was, that I would have to spend about 12 hours a day out. I could even earn a lot. And travel too, as they work in different towns around. Also it was awesome, that work atmosphere with those guys, their office felt so good. Like never before in any job I have been before. Just the air was boosting my ego ;) But you know what: I didn't take it. Because I have Missouri. I have completely no regrets - I can't believe how easy was for me to say that. I spoke to main boss and explained that my dog is very important to me, that she is my companion and friend, and little bit like a child, kind of ;) He understood. He genuinely regretted my decision and told me that he can give me references if I ever needed (just after interview and 1 day training, what a amazing thing!) I know that I want to build my life around my dreams, and not my dreams around my life, because I might never find enough time, energy and money for it. Like sadly most of the people. I Hope I can make it.

Also, I started playing around with my drawings and pen graphics in Photoshop. I was keep thinking what could I do instead of making stencils. I love making them, but I kind of lack of space to make them and place to keep them - under my bed :) I know I could just go on the street like most of street artist do. But it just don't feel like it..

homeless

HOMELESS - because your home is where your heart is

And so it happened. Me and my dog have moved last night to Bristol. New home (or just new house) new beginning. Scared, full of anxiety and sad. And that mixed up with the feel of freedom and new opportunities. I don't think I am gonna do much today. Even unpacking bags seems too difficult. Deep inside I knew I won't stay here too long. Or maybe I don't wan to? Or that this is not my home? Maybe not yet - maybe it will become my new home. Even Missouri senses that something happened. She walks around the house and cries. She senses that we won't go back to old house, we called home . She's been with me there for some time, it was her first home after taking her from her doggie mummy. For me, our previous house was just another on my journey since I left my mum's house 15 years ago. First it was to go to university. I spent last 15 years living with strangers, friends, other families, different partners.. Growing older and hoping to create my own home one day. Last house I shared, I really hoped it will be like a real home. I was renting it, but I treated it like it was my home. Caring for it. Yet - when I came back from my journey around the Europe - it felt weird, and not mine. There was no one really waiting for me. (Except my friends ;) My travel companion was with me - my Missouri. My man-friend stop being my man-friend some time ago already. My journey was just confirmation of things that ended long time ago. It helped me clear up my mind, and confirm of what I am looking for in my life. Apart from answers of who I am, where I am going to and what I am looking for, I also know for sure one thing - and I am saying it now consciously - that I wan to have home. My own home. My place I could call home. Whatever that means ;) It could be anywhere in the world.

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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!!! 

Taste of Paris

It was very busy day. Missouri bravely walked around the town with me, calmly letting me take picture of her on the background of famous buildings. To make things easy, we travelled by metro, even though, according to french law - dogs bigger than 45cm (not sure whether length or high) are not allowed on public transport! Hence, most Parisiennes I've met today, were walking small size dogs. I managed to get few interviews, pictures and movies. I had problem on only one station, but as I walked to next metro station ( to try my luck), I found another entrance, where I was helped with very friendly staff!!! They not mentioned my dog even once, and for about 10 minutes talked to me how to get to my destination and what tickets are the best for me! Amazing :)

My destination was Cemeteries for dogs, which lies in Paris suburbs, just after Pont de Clichy. The oldest grave I found was from 19th century! There were graves of dogs, cats, birds, and a horse! And even one famous dog - Rin Tin Tin!!!

Missouri's favorite dog - that statue was so real, that she was convinced for few minutes that he was real!! lol

Later we found out that BigBus company is dog friendly! Good stuff! :) With no problem I bought ticket for myself for all day, hop on- hop off. Missouri got in for free. We changed few times and we never had any problems. So I definitely recommend!
It's easy and convenient way of travel from one to the other point of attraction in Paris. I thought we might just walk around all the main attraction, but it's too much for 2 legs and 4 paws...

together at the Louvre

Big Bus

On the go

Last night we left London and board the ferry to Hook of  Holland. Missouri spent night in onboard kennel. I felt so sorry for my lovely girl to be locked out behind the bars, but she managed quite well. Also - I was able to see her on channel 6 in my tv inside my cabin! Thank you Stena Line!

Still - I couldn't sleep. To much strange noises, worry about my doggie, rocking waves, engine... And today I am soo tired!

waiting for passport control in Holland

Still, as soon as we arrived to Paris - yeah, we took train from Amsterdam to Paris - we went to see Sacre Cour and Moulin Rouge ( I think I didn't quite realised that this is in Paris Red Light District! Lucky I teamed up few streets before, with fellow polish people who were heading the same direction. And at least I had someone to take picture of me and Missouri ;)

...
For those of you who are wondering why we didn't take the simple route London Paris? - answer is simple: Eurostar doesn't allow any dogs on board, except guide dogs ;( Which is stupid in my opinion. For anyone who doesn't have a car it's pain in the a*s. Instead of 2 hours easy and much cheaper journey, It took me about 20 hours ...

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:)