Colombia, 2007. On the fascinating island of Baru in the North of Colombia I enjoy the beauty of all that is. Life can be so easy, so precious, so special if you just stop doing and start being. Right on the beach I discover several funny things, among which are two empty coconuts, an empty beer bottle, an ice cream stick, an old bottle lid, a dried apple peel, a coral, a piece of wood, and some dried grass fiber. The beach seems to have it all, and like a child I begin to play with my findings. First of all, I love a comparison of the natural, nourishing coconut water with...

Zaragoza, Spain, 2003. I work in an Irish pub called Flaherty’s instead of loyally attending university classes during my Erasmus year. It turns out to be the best Spanish language teaching I can possibly get due to the international team we are – 2 French, 1 Romanian, 1 English, 2 Irish, 2 Spanish, and 1 German. And being in Spain working in a pub – no matter if Spanish or Irish – the team is required to speak proper Spanish to keep the customers. One day I attend two elder ladies ordering each a different kind of coffee. Coffee orders in Spain are...

In Berlin’s backyards one can find the weirdest things, especially in those created as a space for everybody to visit in an unofficial squat. People living here care for their fellow human beings, for any creature actually, and for anything existing here on earth. They value things that others discard thoughtless in a container, or throw it out their window, letting it rot on the street until a local cleaning service removes the items from sidewalks and streets, or even parks. The inhabitants in this squat are extraordinarily creative. The backyard is green, like a huge...

Aalborg, Denmark, March 2009. The first sun rays are reaching out their arms, embracing Aalborg’s streets with the mild love of Spring. Delighted, I step out in front of the door, ignoring the cold shiver when the icy wind creeps into my face and extremities. Goose bumps back and forth, this sunshine means to me the end of Denmark’s winter time. My heart and soul burst out in joy, and all I desire right now is venturing into the nearby sculpture park. The park greets me with the first signs of Spring awakening. Tiny little flowers are breaking through the ground,...

A couple of days ago we leave our housing on Ko Phangan island in Thailand at four o’clock in the morning. We need to catch the ferry at 5 a.m. to the mainland for our Visa run to the Malaysian border. Being the only pedestrians walking the dark and quiet streets, frequently dogs announce our presence with alarming voices. “Hey neighbors (dogs), watch out! There is some creepy guys coming along…” We are neither creepy, nor guys. Only one of us fits this category, actually. As we move on we pass a famous ‘BE AWARE DOG’ spot. All of a sudden...

Many years ago… I am holding a book in my hand watching a photo of an old man, a vagabond, sitting on the street with old and dirty clothes, unwashed, unshaved, with beard and not quite ordinary hair. In this case the vagabond mirrors one of those homeless persons I meet on the street sometimes. Remembering those characters various questions rise in my mind. Why are they living on the street? What brought them here? What happened? What are they thinking all the time? Is it freedom, absolute freedom, that makes them living this life? Is it a feeling? Don’t they see...

Sweet sixteen. I successfully graduate from school. All seven final exams passed with great results. Congratulations from teachers. Even making friendship with my geography teacher, who I had been in fight with for a year. Finally recognizing my passion for his subject, he wraps his arms joyfully around me together with the delivery of a congrats rose. I love my summer holidays! They feel so different this time No more school! Ten years in the same building, and no more! I feel free, light. I hold the whole world of opportunities in my hands. I can become anything. Do anything....

It’s just a few days before Christmas 2002, when I am witnessing a very sad situation. I am sitting in Koblenz Hbf (Train Station) in Mc Donalds at 2 o’clock in the morning, waiting for my train to Dortmund. While sitting here and reading my book the police enters, followed by a woman who seems to work for Deutsche Bahn (German train company). They go straight towards an old man who is sleeping quietly and peacefully in a corner. He sleeps sitting on a chair, his head rested on his arms, which are laying on the table. In front of him is standing a white plastic cup,...