There are a lot of travelers and wanderers on the planet these days.
But one group has caught my attention.
I don't see them often, and mostly I am to shy to ask if I can photograph them or ask their story. They are so in their own world it feels rude to interfere.
The first of this special travelers I met years and years ago.
So long ago that I made analogue photo's you put in albums.
We had to stay in Belgium for a few days because French truck drivers were blocking the road to the border.
A firm sea wind was blowing our tent nearly away when a neighbor camper installed himself. An older man with a handmade cart parked his vehicle beside our tent. It was an amazing little house. He even could sleep in it.
He had a shelf so he could create a little dinner table. He brought a beautiful porcelain plate and a crystal wine glass for his dinner. He walked around Belgium he said.
His way of traveling made a deep impression.
Last week in was in Denmark. After I set up the tent after quiet a bike trip I went to the campground kitchen.
In Denmark most campgrounds have kitchens and places to eat.
In the corner of the dinning room was a pile of bags. Some were very chic reminding me of old travelers with beautiful leather bags.
There was not a lot of kitchen equipment and the owner of the bags was looking for pots and pans. His English was not so good so conversation was simple.
The next morning I woke up very early and noticed he made a bed for himself in the dinning room.
So he had no tent or other roof over his head. Only a big inflatable mattress and a bike.
Both men were totally at ease with their own company absorbed in their own world.
They also had a lot of attention for details.
A crystal wineglass, a plate of food that looked like coming from a restaurant chef.
I love their way of traveling and their attention to all daily routines. I hope to meet more of these people on the road. May be one day I dare to ask if I can photograph them.
Not only we (my husband and I) travel a lot.
So do our children who also live in 2 other European countries.
The house we have is not their childhood house because we moved a lot.
Christmas is not always in one of the places we live in, same goes for our birthdays.
Last weekend we all met in Stockholm were our son is going to live.
We rented an airb&b house in the archipelago from Stockholm.
Such a wonderful place no one wanted to leave.
But life goes on. Daughter back to London, son staying in Stockholm and we packing the van in Rotterdam to go to Denmark.
People sometimes ask what feels home for us and that is easy to answer home is where we are.
One more art-workshop day to go and then it is time to travel for a long long time.
Of course I lived for short periods of time in my van while working.
And I still will be working, my artist mind never stops. But we can stay away from home longer.
I can be blogging, face-booking, apping or emailing about my travels. To connect with my dear ones.
But to be honest the thing I like most is real mail.
A few summers ago I was in the top of Norway close to the Russian border when we met a German biker.
The
weather was not so good and most of us in a small tent (that was the
time I was camping in tents) were in the big kitchen from the campground
a lot.
So the German announces after some food. I'am going to town to pick up my mail.
It was clear he was not talking about his computer or phone.
An hour later he returned with the biggest pile of real mail, letters and cards I have seen in years.
To be honest I was jealous.
I was thinking about the time i was a student living in a far from college outdoor summerhouse camp.
My friends and I made the most incredible letters for which was the rule. See if they sent it.
Also
for traveling around people the german used the Poste Restante from
cities he passed on his way. He told his folks in which direction he was
going.
And took the time to respond.
Today I started one of the things I promised myself if going back on track.
I will start to sent mail again.
And who knows I can collect some mail one day in Stockholm, Lulea, Chester, Edinburgh, or were ever I go.
Curious google at poste restante or look here http://www.postoffice.co.uk/mail/poste-restante
