World Travellers: Klaudia From Map Of Clouds

Welcome to the latest interview in my World Travellers series, which started back in 2012. Here, we are blessed to meet and read all about Klaudia, whose blog has an intriguing magical name, “Map Of Clouds“. Dream it all up and get out to see the world, and let Klaudia share with us her little window to inspire the avenues that await your destiny. Klaudia, like myself, has lived in both Olsztyn (Poland) and London (England) and we have met in person, which doesn’t always happen in this series. Over to Klaudia…

Who are you?

I am Klaudia and my blog is Map of Clouds.

I had a colleague once who called me Clouds so the name of my blog kind of refers to my own view of the world. But at the same time the word ‘clouds’ brings to mind the sky and having your head in the clouds, which I can definitely identify with as well.

The motto of my blog is ‘take only memories, leave only footprints’, because I feel that oftentimes as people, we forget that travelling is about self-development and not exploitation. We want the perfect weather and the food that is familiar to us, we want everyone to speak our language, dress like us and look like us. We want the perfect selfie opportunity because our travel only means something when it is shared on social media. We take and demand and think that the world ows it to us…

So let us ask ourselves the question – why do we travel?

Where are you from?

I come from Olsztyn in Poland. I am of Polish-German heritage and I spent a big part of my life living in the UK.

Where have you been?

I have travelled extensively in Europe and I have also visited Egypt, Morocco and India.

Where are you now?

I live in Olsztyn, Poland.

What are the top 3 places you have visited?

I believe that there is magic in all places but the countries where I feel the most comfortable are Scotland, Ireland and Italy.

What is the best travel experience you’ve had?

I can’t think of one specific experience but I felt really happy when I went to Venice in the winter all by myself. It was the first time I travelled on my own as I felt a deep need to disconnect. The moment Venice suddenly emerged on the horizon will stay with me forever.

What is the worst travel experience you’ve had?

Touch wood I haven’t had a really horrible experience while travelling but I am always sad if I see maltreatment of animals.

What is the funniest travel experience you’ve had?

I found it funny but in a lovely, cute way when elderly people used to always talk to me on trains in Italy. They in broken English and I in broken Italian, but we had some really nice and funny conversations.

What is the scariest travel experience you’ve had?

I felt scared on a bus in India when I suddenly fell ill and passed out… I was convinced I had some horrible disease like malaria but it turned out to be a food poisoning and a visit to a doctor helped me get better.

What is the most random job you have had on your travels?

I don’t work on my travels.

How do you fund your travels?

I make a plan and save up for it.

What 3 tips would you give a new traveller before they set off on their adventure?

– stay safe

It’s always a good idea to do your research and if possible know which areas to avoid.

Also trying to blend in rather than being flashy can be of benefit not only to your safety but also to the whole experience.

– stay humble

Travelling is not a race. A day trip to a small town Pasłęk can be equally valuable and enriching as a 2 week tour of Italy. Everything lies in the eye of the beholder so don’t compare yourself to others as it may lead to feelings of inadequacy or even envy. Travelling is first and foremost about inner growth, not about followers and likes.

– stay present

I personally love photography but it is good to remind ourselves that it really is okay to put away the smartphone for a bit. Looking at things with our own eyes is important and we don’t need to post every single thing on social media. There is time for everything so we should enjoy being in the moment and take everything in with our own senses first.

What are your future travel plans?

I would like to see Japan and Canada.

Bio

You can check out Klaudia’s awesome blog here…

https://map-of-clouds.blogspot.com/

Thanks to Klaudia for being the latest in my series of World Travellers! If you travel the world and run a travel blog or are a travel writer, please get in touch, you can be featured , either e-mail jonny (at) dontstopliving (dot) net or head to my contacts page and get connected! You can also subscribe to Don’t Stop Living by filling in the form below! Safe travels!