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 !!! 

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 ;)

Slow Down

After living crazy London life, and after travelling across 6 countries within few weeks, it was nice to go to Slow Down Festival. It was taking place in Poland, in little place called Lubiaz. Festival wasn't as big as I thought it will be, but it was really nice to chill out. I was meant to run ceramic workshops, but instead together with few people we've build a kiln! It was made in very simple way out of the things we could find. Construction for the kiln was made the same way like tipi - indian tent: wooden sticks and branches. This was covered with thick layer of clay mixed with dry straw, and another layer of clay. We had to wait couple of days to dry it up under the sun. Then we made 1st firing to fully dry up and bake the kiln, so it would be more waterproof and to burn out branches from the inside.

Kiln is ready now for first proper firing of ceramics. Now we need to organise workshops;)

Anyone interested??

Slow Down Festival, had good vibe, music and people. Sometimes I think I got old to be on festivals, but on the other hand I never been big fan of them. Too crowdy for me ;) Anyway I did enjoyed this one, because was small;) I went for shiatsu workshops led by shiatsu master Andrzej Turczynowicz. It's the 3rd kind of massage I can do now ;) Amazing thing about the workshops was that my dog could take part in it! She was sneaking in quietly, walked around people, giving wet kisses to some people and lying down sometimes between people, but mainly on the side of the room and snoozing for hours. She was bringing good energy, never disturbing;) I love my dog! Sometimes my friends think she's human in dog's skin :)

I have to say that at first I wasn't happy with organisation of that festival, and actually with the lack of it. But they called it "Slow Down" - do I decided to follow it - and slow down;) 

I think everyone should every now and then slow down and take care of things that are happening around them. To look at them closely from perspective! understand them. Since I started this journey I decided to look at my life from the perspective. Being away from London definitevly helped. I wish some of my London's friends could do that too. Some people I know definitively need perspective. When you are too close, with your nose glued to the window, you see only dirty glass and nothing what's behind. Lots of people I left behind in this city, live their life in this way. I feel sorry for them, but I cannot make decision for them. To some, I tried to help and open their eyes on new perspectives. Some called me stupid, some called me crazy, some called me un-responsible, some didn't want to listen; but some did. Few knew what I felt, understood my needs, because they felt the same. Some of them went already for their journey  and supported me; some start thinking of it. Some people become my inspiration, and I think I became inspiration for others. I hope I could do more - but their life is in their hands

Sometimes I think I love life ;) There were days when I felt down. Days seemed grey and boring. Not worth anything. I am so glad I was able to break up with this feeling. And now - I know I don't want to come back to those people and feeling of depressing feeling! I know this bad feeling might come back, but I want to feel strong to go through it! I hope power will stay with me ;)

Solo traveller

Solo woman, but travelling with a dog ;)


We travelled with Missouri for about 11 hours, from south of France Marseille to Nuremberg in Germany. What a trip! and some nice adventures too. I have so much to write:)
So first good thing was that, I couldn't get Missouri a ticket in my first interchange station - Avignon. Reason? I had only 500 euro note and they did not had change. By the time I found a shop that could break it, I had to rush for my next train. At the train, still in good mood from morning good-byes - I smiled nicely to the conductor explaining why I don't have ticket, and he sold me special discounted one, smiling back - eh, it's good to be a woman sometimes, especially if you are flushing red like me ;) I hate it, but sometimes it actually helps ;) 11 hours trip was very tiring so I decided to leave sightseeing for next day.

Next day I made few friends, found nice dog-friendly restaurant called Hans I'm Glück - they serve about 50 types of burgers, half of them vegetarians! (get an interview from one girl employed there, Also as I walk back I heard guy singing about girl walking the streets of London with country voice, so I had to stop and have a chat with him. I said that he sings about me, because I am from London;) As it appears he was from it too! And from Hackney like me (and so he switched his country accent to cockney :) And so I end up buying his CD. He said I can use his music for my movie;)

Nuremberg Old City Center is not too big, and can bee seen in one day with your dog.
I never go to any museums, first able, because they don't let the dogs in (and even if they would, they would be bored to death) and I also am not too big fan of them. So with no regrets I skip them on my travels. Good thing about this is that I save money on entry tickets;) The only annoying thing is, that they not allow dogs in some parks! Why?? I mean, leashed dogs can't make a mess, right? And even if they poo, what is the problem to put some poo dispensers on the entrance? Walking around the Nuremberg I went to see the castle. There was sign that dogs are not allowed, so I decided to go around it to take pictures from different angles from outside. So imagine how surprised I became, when I came across a guy telling me to go! It appeared I got lost and accidentally wandered inside the gardens! - well for me there was not much grass and no flowers... Anyway, I truly said that I am lost. So I have some nice pictures, and new friend from China - who took couple of pictures of me, and become big fan of Missouri. She gets so much attention wherever she goes - unbelievable!

outside the castle

bizzarre Fountain of the Virtues ;)

Lorenzer Kirche

Kunsthaus - mini medieval village, 5 min from train station, full of old traditional shops selling souvenirs and traditional food. And most sellers wear old traditional clothes!

me and Missouri in the Kusthaus

traditional bavarian clothes for sale

typical old buildings

woman-eagle can bee seen everywhere. This one was above police station

Mery Go Round Fountain

Albrecht Durer House

and himself above the entrance

Missouri met medieval dog guarding the entrance of his house ;)

Schonner Brunnen - Beautiful Fountain - detail

famous clock on top of the Frauen Kirche

... :)

But lets get to the point finally ;) The subject of this post is "Solo traveller" . I mention before that I made few friends, but most interesting was at the end of the day. When I came back to the hotel, there was issue with internet connection. Maybe I'm addict, but I really wanted to write this post earlier. I went to the reception hoping that somebody will help me. In meantime I got friendly with a woman working there. She couldn't help with Wi-Fi, but instead we start chatting about travels. She asked for my age, and then said that it means it was not too late for her too; as it happened, we were the same age! She had this unrealised dream about travelling, but which never become real, apart from short trips. She listen to my adventures with interest. I hope she can travel whenever she wants:)
I thought about this today eating solo. I remembered that I was sick of worries when I was leaving for my journey. But now?I am all relaxed and happy with my own company. I remember my friends going solo for similar adventures, and that they too were scared at first. And I also remember my first ever solo trip - I went 3 hours away by train to Krakow for a day. I think I was maybe 20. Old huh? :) But I remember I enjoyed it! I was sitting on the edge of a fountain and watched people passing by. I didn't have to talk to anyone. It felt a bit weird but also interesting this whole thing. I think I forgot about this experience until now. How weird is that as we grow older we fear more things that we shouldn't. I remember people telling me lately that solo travel is not scary. It's opposite. When we are alone we can do what ever we fell doing at the time. There is no one to blame, no one to support us, but at the same we become stronger, and more confident!!!!

yes - th is what I needed. This journey is about self discovery as well as making documentary.

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Midnight inspiration

It's past midnight and I already feel sleepy... but I want to share with you what I found just this evening, possibly, my future inspiration :) a website about female solo bike travellers. There are 2 who travel the world with their dogs. See - everything is possible if you believe in it :)

http://www.skalatitude.com/p/wow-women-on-wheels.html 

This is picture from a blog: www.happiness-around-the-world.com - good luck girl!

Also one more inspiration:

Nothing more, nothing less.
Good night dear readers!


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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

get ready, steady, go!

Just received my printed T-shirts, with logo of my project on the front, and logos of the media patrons at the back :) Not the quality I expected, but hey, I think I will look wearing them super professionally! ;)

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:)