When I detoured from Central Asia towards Europe because Chopin was sick and waiting for me in hospital in Poland, I didn't know for how long I'm going home. I thought maybe just for a while...

But - a lot was happening. Living in Warsaw with Chopin at first, moving together to my place in Gdansk, then working on my Polish book. Then the English one. Then the adventure with the yellow van and European book tour. Finally two road trips around Europe with the red Ford Escort, Brad Brown from Virtual Tourist and friends.

And all that time (when not on some road trip) receiving guests from all over the world at my little Gdansk flat - friends we met somewhere in the world, new friends from Hospitality Club or lately also from Couchsurfing

What else? Doing all those things I didn't have much chance of doing while on the road for five years - enjoying the time and all big and little celebrations with my family. Time with my old and new friends at home and in Europe. Buying veggies from the same old ladies on the sidewalk five minutes from my place and enjoying the comfort and coziness of my tiny vegan kitchen. Watching lots of independent movies in the local cinemas. Walking or cycling through the forest to the nearby beach and seeing the changes of the seasons.

Yes, it's nice. And comfortable. Almost too comfortable...
But not for much longer. Summer almost gone, days getting colder, previous journey recorded in a book... Now, the time is coming for new adventures. For the last continent that is still awaiting me. Yes, Africa's calling! And is finally going to happen, two years after we came back.
I already got a new backpack (the old one was almost shattered). With the help of Filip (and Chopin as well), I’m having this new website created.

Soon....
 

There are different reactions when people hear about my Africa..

When there was still a chance that we would go together with Chopin, my good friend Basia Meder who also traveled around this continent on her own, told me:

"What you are living is amazing and unique. You have a similar attitude to me but a larger luggage of dreams. I wish and hope you can realize it all."

When it turned out, however, that I'm setting off on my own, she added:

"You are very brave to go on your own. I have fears about your lonely African journey. I can't see much of hitchhiking opportunities. Africa is also more expensive than Asia. I don't want to discourage you but to make you aware. I am ready to give you all the information you want. Ask if you need anything."

But my friend Asia from Holland has no fear:

"I'm not worried about you because how could I be worried if you're going to the continent where giraffes live... I know that their long necks will point you to the right direction in the moments of doubt, elephants will give you strength, monkeys will lend you quick wits, palm trees will share the food and the wind will be a messenger of good news, the sun will be warming your heart and the camels will help you with any distance, no I have absolutely no reasons to worry about you."

Well, Chopin didn't let me go yesterday...
So we gave each other one more day together.
But now, in a while, he's dropping me off on the road.

I haven't received so much love and affection
(and not only from Chopin but everybody around!)
in a long time.

I guess I should be leaving more often...