czwartek, 26 czerwca 2014

Learn to live



It’s been 6 weeks now, since I arrived to Gran Canaria. During this time I have been hiking, snorkelling, jumping from a cliff to the ocean, cycling, surfing but also reading, learning Spanish, meeting new people and meditating.
For people who comes for 2 week vacation, any destination is like a target, ‘must see’ places, tripadvisor’s ‘must go’ bars and of course “do nothing” time, trying to relax and forget about what they left at home.
For me, this season is to learn how to live differently, having 24 hours a day for myself. First step was to slow down. Slow down with walking, eating, doing many thing at one time and start to do nothing. Nothing but enjoying the present.
Changing life is a process you cannot skip or accelerate. It’s time and experiences you collect and appreciate every moment as it was the last day in your life. Guess I may say I’m lucky to have this chance and even being at the beginning of my new path I know I will be a happy person from now on.
Becoming a hippie came naturally and is the way I chose for me, my partner, children and friends I share my life with.
With this short intro I want to invite you to my new world. See life on Grand Canaria with my eyes.

This is where i live - calle Portugal 69


My second home - Artenara - El Warung Cave hostel

Our (hostel's) ride
Sea food paella

Artenara - El Warung cave hostel neighbour's house



Puerto de Mogan
Jesus - Artenara






Hiking end of the world



Water reservoir

The Frog - Roque Nublo guard

Hiking

Just an ordinary tapas lunch




Cave where I left a note for next people comming. On the way to Roque Nublo



Maspalomas Dunes - having fun with hostel guest. Before evening swim.

House in La Isleta - for sale.

One of many little streets on La Isleta.





Regional Canarian Music Festival - Santa Catalina


Attraverssiamo



La Isleta at sunset - walk with me

San Juan Fiesta - National flag size of a building

Parque Doramas

Night life - very popular in Las Palmas live band concert
San Juan Fiesta -
thousands of people celebrating on the beach at night. There’s a traditional midnight swim, fireworks and live music till dawn.


Fisherman's boats

piątek, 20 czerwca 2014

From Canary Islands with Love



It’s been a while now, since I last wrote something constructive. Maybe because my current life here in Gran Canaria is about pleasure and I’m not bothered by any of existential problems except love, partnership and meaning of life ;-)
My cousin Tom’s wedding is not far off. Unfortunately I will not be present and that is why I would like to dedicate this post to him and his future wife, mother of his child, Kate.
After a whole year of struggle (my grandma death, undiagnosed health issues, running a marathon and humiliating job) and traveling between France, London and my friend’s couch in Warsaw, being way far from my comfort zone in any meaning of this word, came with the theory that goes like this:

if you’re brave enough to leave everything comforting and familiar behind like your house, job or small things, and start a seeking journey of your true soul, happiness, peace and life balance, and you take everything that happens to you as a clue and a lesson, as well as all people along your way see as a teacher, and most of all, if you’re ready to face difficult reality about yourself, the truth will not be withheld from you.

If we get rid of all of these overwhelming 21-century-big-city-life thoughts which disturb our life balance, we all find love, compaction and peace. And this is the art of living.
Love, partnership and respect are the quintessence of life. What I was looking for all my life was balance to finally feel joy, peace and love. It sounds cliché but now I know and I am ready.

Few months ago spoke to a friend of mine and our short conversation went along like this:

-          I’m leaving…going to Gran Canaria
-          Ohhh, you have a contract or a job there?
-          No
-          Ohh, going with your boyfriend?
-          No
-          Then, why?
-          Decided to change my life
-          Alone?

Sometimes it’s just a bad timing, sometimes we’re not ready for a commitment and sometimes we want it too hard and can’t find... 

...L.O.V.E. 
At first exciting, gives wings and raise you up to the sky, then requires work but along this whole process you need respect and partnership.

Tomek and Kasia,
I wish you all the best on your new way of life. May your days be filled with love, respect and friendship and Tadeusz be apple of your eye.
I raise my glass to you and your happiness :-)

piątek, 13 czerwca 2014

City/beach game

It's been almost 4 weeks since I arrived to Gran Canaria and I feel younger every day. It's like going back in time to school mental level. While chillin’ after the beach, came up on a fb fan page called "Mordor na Domaniewskiej" (literal translation: Mordor at Domaniewska street)*. Reading it's posts instantly felt connection with it, because it WAS my life for many years too.
Before flipping my life upside down, I was one of the corpo-rats and now... couldn't be more happy in board shorts, faded out, curly hair, running like mad along the beach every day, watching sunset.
So, inspired by one of the Mordor's posts, made my city/beach game. Take a look, what’s in my head ;-)
City/beach game
1 point quests:
1.      sprinkle with sand a person who just used a sun screen
2.      stand on sb’s way claiming it’s my side of the sidewalk
3.      on the beach sit close to other people and start loud conversation
4.      make weird noise and sounds to draw attention and then pretend it’s not you
3 point quests:
1.      take sb’s matrace or other floating device while this person is asleep
2.      destroy a sand castle saying you did not see it
3.      take a mold from a kid and start to play next to him
4.      Cover your sunbathing friend with sand
5.      Ask for directions on a street and go other way
5 point quests:
1.      Throw hats with frisbee
2.      While jumping on waves, pull sb’s shorts/swim suit panties claiming it’s waves not you
3.      Write or paint something funny with a sunscreen on a body of your sleeping friend, so it leaves white marks
4.      Approach a tourist wearing white socks and sandals and tell him to take that of, cause it looks lame. Additional 2 points for trying to do it by yourself
5.      Approach a stranger sitting at the table in a restaurant and say „sorry i’m late”

*Domaniewska street - street in Warsaw's business district. Crowded on business week, deserted on weekends