The first book, covering roughly 5 years of living in a caravan driving around Europe, mostly the eastern part. Solar panels on roof, internet through mobile phone, kitchen in the front, crap in the woods. I was totally self sufficient and could continue my work anywhere my wheels could take me (or go remote out of small backpack only).
Alas, it is the Mediterranean, and my punctual arrival is made meaningless because the guy in charge shows up two hours later, at the last minute before the ship is to depart. With barely any instructions to guide me, I find myself frantically running between different buildings finalizing various paperwork, and of course spending additional … Read more
My own little protest against the dividing line, I particularly enjoy using my different passports when taking my Sunday strolls across the border. I always have to remember: pull out from my left pocket my Canadian passport when entering or leaving the Turkish side, and use my Czech passport in my right pocket for the … Read more
Several times I am asked by the police/military to move somewhere else. After this repeated ordeal I came to the conclusion that a buffer zone was put in place by the UN to keep the children from fighting. It is not some holy ground as the Greeks like to think. I should have full legal … Read more
I’ve done a bit of research and asked a few questions, and this is my quick synopsis: Cyprus is a strategic island in the Mediterranean Sea, much prized from time immemorial. It was taken over first by the Neo-Assyrian Empire in 709BC, then the Egyptians, the Persians, the Phoenicians, Alexander the Great and finally the … Read more
I raise my voice. “Where did you come from?” he asks quickly and sternly. “Where the hell do you think? From the Turkish side of course.” A series of stupid questions and equally witty snapbacks later, he starts to soften his tone. He later explains to me that it is a rather strange border crossing, … Read more
I can’t remember if it was the look on her face, or something she asked, but I explain why I came back into the north using my Canadian passport instead of my Czech. I am basically honest, saying I only had one month left here, that they had given me 90 days, but then reduced … Read more
It is the last hundred yards of my stay on the north side of Cyprus. It has been a great two winters here: the people are lovely, they take me in as family; I have a great parking spot on the beach; go to the university for free showers; enjoy the lower cost of living; … Read more
I drive to the capital along the small village roads, stopping occasionally out of protest to buy some more beers from the local village grocery stores. Then, a crafty little idea occurs to me. I park my truck on the north side of the capital and walk across the border as usual. There I do … Read more
Before landing at the Istanbul airport I had spent two action-packed years in the Mediterranean. While on the island of Cyprus, basking in the glory of the Mediterranean, I regularly alternate between the Christian Greek south side and the Muslim Turkish north side. I have developed a deep feeling of affinity for the Muslim people. … Read more
I hope I won’t have to pay more than 80 Euros, or that I won’t be stuck in this expensive city for too long. I even imagined myself as Tom Hanks in that true story movie of a guy stuck at an airport for a couple of years. After all, technically, I could pull it … Read more