Twelve months. Eight countries. Two continents. And 32 articles later…
…Großstadt-Pocahontas is in a neighbouring country to Germany. Poland.
With all the building work and renovations, there is a moment to review the whole adventure with you.
A small port in Tunisia. Called Sidi Daoud.
DECEMBER 2019. How much time I spent in this harbour and on the catamaran. Good time. And a wonderful opportunity to experience the life of a skipper. Being the only crew member with an experienced sailor on the Mediterranean. This story alone could fill books. Full of humor and excitement.
Docked in Italy at the end of December. And realised for the second time: the journey is guided by the heart. Things turn out differently than expected. I decide to stay in Italy. I like the district of Genoa and the Italian serenity makes even rainy days shine.
I meet a vegetable farmer. He accommodates me in his finca. A young woman with two children also lives there. We become friends and I decide to stay.
6 January in Chiavari. Italy.
JANUARY 2020. The New Year is celebrated in the mountains of Italy. Although I could be called back to Tunisia at any moment, I like to move on. Instead of staying put on “call”. No idea yet where to go, I set off to continue the journey.
It’s a journey in itself to get from the mountains to the next town with a train station. And there I am. In Chiavari. The train goes in two directions. Manageable choice. That makes it easier. Spontaneously, I write a message to Marseille. And indeed: spontaneously I book a ticket to go to France.
Exploring Marseille and the surrounding area and starting this blog as a Großstadt-Pocahontas is on the agenda. Relaxing days in the port of Marseille. Wonderful.
Then comes the message from the skipper: “Book a flight to Tunis for the 15th of January. On the 17th we set sail”.
An excitement spreads. A nice feeling full of anticipation. I am to travel to Tunisia again. But not to start an Atlantic crossing.
After all the back and forth, the waiting, nerve-wracking moments and moments of bliss, the catamaran sets off the moment I board the plane for Egypt.
The blocks of stone compared to a person.
FEBRUARY 2020. Getting to know a country far from my imagined itinerary. Yes, for the third time my heart has decided unequivocally. And also another time when it’s time to jump on the catamaran and cross the Atlantic, or…? Yes, or. I will stay in Egypt.
People who give me shelter and with whom I go on excursions. I am allowed to get to know the culture and soon live in a friend’s flat. I live there alone and one evening I think about travelling further. I want to go to Jordan via Israel. But what’s going on there? Israel has closed the borders. Because of a virus?!
Egyptian life means spending a lot of time in traffic.
MARCH 2020. Having thought it through, I am getting comfortable with the idea of spending some time in Egypt. Yes, if the world ends now I’ll be in Egypt. That’s fine with me. I dive deeper into Egyptian life. That means I’m taking public transport instead of an Uber, learning belly dancing and expanding my Egyptian vocabulary.
Little by little, the restrictions and security measures are coming in Egypt too. And it is getting warmer. During the day, a heat spreads. Life in the city is uncomfortable.
I keep my ears and eyes open. Maybe there will be another travel opportunity?
“My” road with full moon.
APRIL 2020. After being on the north coast for a few days, I have said goodbye to the city. Thought now is to stay by the sea and then travel on from there if possible. An Egyptian friend invited me to her summer house. She wants to escape the hustle and bustle of the city with her two daughters. Online schooling for the daughters makes it possible.
It is quiet on the north coast. Empty of people. The fresh wind keeps the heat at bay. It is pleasantly warm here. The water enchants me anew every day. This radiant blue. In good company, the days fly by.
Ciao, ciao north coast.
MAY 2020: After almost a month on the Mediterranean, it’s time to return to the city. A few things have to be done. The Egyptian friend has to visit a few offices. And I return to the empty flat in Giza.
Everything is still closed. Except for grocery shops and restaurants that offer take-away.
The fasting month of Ramadan(approximately 23.04.-23.05.2020) is otherwise a month of joy and celebration. This is prevented by the lock down, which begins in the evening hours and lasts until dawn. So I am denied the opportunity to celebrate this feast with my Egyptian friends.
Before I get bored, I break my old habits. I look for small and bigger challenges that bring freshness into everyday life.
Change of perspective.
JUNE 2020. It gives me pleasure to write another person’s travel story. After all, my own adventure “are on ice” at the moment. Even if it is interesting to get to know all facets of Egypt better, it remains limited to one region. And going to another country is out of possibilities. The freedom to travel that comes with a German passport is gone.
During the day it is so hot that it is best to take time for a siesta. At night it hardly cools down.
Officially, public places and sights are closed. I set off to see with my own eyes what is still possible. And something is still possible.
I ride a horse into the desert. With a cup of tea I enjoy the peace and the view of the pyramids. The panorama of the big city recedes into the background.
I fly kites with the cousins of a friend. Little boys, relieved of their boredom, show us their flying skills. Willing to teach us their skills, the two young men are fully in their element. One of them calls himself “King of the Kites” and is tireless in showing us how best to make a kite fly.
It’s been a long time since I’ve seen lush green.
JULY 2020. I also ride a camel into the desert. If I stay in Egypt much longer, I’ll probably mutate into a Bedouin. And I now cook koshery (an Egyptian national dish) myself when there is no takeaway on the way.
During the day, the sun burns the skin. Long sleeves are useful. Or just stay indoors. And enjoy a cup of tea in the evening.
The Egyptian museum has reopened and a trip is made directly there. Without inscription or any explanation, one stone resembles another. And after the hundredth figure, you have the feeling that you also made such figures out of mud as a child.
And one day the time has come: I set off for the airport. Incredulous as to whether the air traffic would actually work, but with a strong certainty that the right time had finally come.
Normandy welcomes me with summer temperatures and flowering meadows. A blessing. And the best thing about it all is: travelling is now together.
The both of us set off for Brittany at the end of the month.
The port of Lampaul-Plouarzel.
AUGUST 2020. An exceptional summer. With heat, rain, cool fog and cold water. A mixture that can happen in one day in Brittany.
Being out on the water in a sailboat and feeling the wind around your nose. If there is enough of it. If not, the engine is fired up.
Getting to know Brittany and its legendary stories.
Camping and picnicking where you like. Or where no one is passing by. And predict the weather for the next few days by looking at the camping car on the campsite.
Billiards are on the daily schedule. Going to the pub to end the day socially. Or just enjoy the sunset alone.
Walks on the beach. Bouldering. Or spending time in Brest. As varied as the weather was, so was the programme.
And the highlight was spending a few days on a small island. Leaving the hustle and bustle of the mainland behind, leaving the smartphone in the tent and living the life. Pure and simple.
What a breathtaking coastline Brittany has.
SEPTEMBER 2020: Another month in Brittany. It’s noticeably cooler and autumn is coming. Nevertheless, every opportunity to go sailing is taken.
Beach walks in strong winds are all the more enjoyable and watching the waves roll in is better than any TV programme.
And even after a month in the region, there are still corners to be explored. Walks with the dog keep you on the move. And taking the bus to Brest more often keeps you going. There are things to do. And Großstadt-Pocahontas gets a new host and style. A lot of work takes place in the background without being noticed. As with everything, the fruits have to be sown before they can be harvested. And time plays a big role. It takes time to design a website according to one’s own wishes.
Refreshing bathing fun in Zug. Switzerland.
OCTOBER 2020. And then everything goes in a jiffy again.
Großstadt-Pocahontas comes online with a big change.
The backpacks are packed. Going from Brittany to Normandy. Then to Germany. After a short detour in Switzerland, going to Poland via Germany.
All in the spirit of “go with the flow”. Travelling easily from one place to another. Meeting a few familiar faces here and there. Embracing dear people and family. And yes, family: sometimes I forget how much energy is in them and what all can be experienced in one day. Wonderful.
As fast as everything goes in October, it seems to be the right time for it. At the end of October, going off to Poland.
It’s quiet outside. But inside, it’s a hive.
NOVEMBER 2020. Poland. This is now the current station. For a few months. A lot has already been prepared for it and it’s time to get started. Rearranging. Tidying up. Destroy. Building up. Renovate. Restoring. Losing your nerve and picking it up again. Collecting ideas and discarding them again. Putting thoughts into action. Driving to the construction market. Placing orders. Receiving delivery. Taking out the rubbish. Driving to the construction market. Dirty hands. Dirty clothes. And, oh yes, another trip to the construction market. And there comes the next delivery. Lugging. Cleaning and
I hear the bath water running. Yes, a wonderful change from all the building work. For dinner, there is a portion of pierogi (stuffed dumplings) and watching a good movie. It’s like soul food.
Moments for eternity.
10 DECEMBER. The day Großstadt-Pocahontas set out into the world. Oh, that’s today. A year ago now. And that common saying comes to mind: as if it were yesterday. Yes, strange. Just a moment away, all the memories seem to be. And just a moment away are the next memories.
Off to more adventures. Thank you for travelling with me.
With warm-hearted connection, your Großstadt-Pocahontas
