When I look back on our horse-drawn carriage story’s , which covers the last few traveling weeks, however also the previous story’s, it’s mostly about food and food supplies. We describe how we collect water, how do we get hay and oats, what do we have for breakfast, dinner etc.

The research we did before, reading websites and lately the "seven year hitch" from David Grant it also covers food, the dinner you have and which people give it. At that time, we found it remarkable. Now we know for the better!

Maslow

Living this basic life of traveling includes also basic behaviors. In my college period when studying for social work, we learn about the Maslow pyramid from psychologist Abraham Harold Maslow. This pyramid describes different levels of need people have in life and the motivation to go to the next level. . Every level has to be fulfilled before you have the motivation to do the next step.

(For example, the first need in life is: food and water. Next step is protection, a shelter or a roof above your head. Those basic has to be fulfilled before you have the motivation to go for love and acceptance, respect, knowledge and at last self development)

I always thought that I understand those principals; however, that’s easy to say living in a heated five room dwelling, with hot / warm water and electricity when ever you want, and the grocery store around the corner.

In this basic life, it’s much more complicated.

When we arrive on a village, we search for the "best" spot. Do we have access to water? Is there a well or river, or neighbors friendly enough to fill our jerry-can? How is the grass? Is there enough for the horses or do we need additional hay? How or where, if necessary, can we collect hay? Is there a shop in the village for bread, potatoes or even some meat and vegetables?

Next step, but not necessary is electricity. We do have a solar panel but "real" electricity gives us more freedom to charge battery’s and use our lights. Last need to fulfill is Internet access and the possibility to leave the Van and horses for sightseeing and some "culture sniffing".

Heaven

Reading this you can imagine that "a place from heaven" is the one with nice neighbors, big meadows, plenty of food and water nearby, a multiple socket close to the caravan and a wireless Internet network!

People on our way, like Slovakian Joseph and Lydia doing our laundry, the horse breeder bringing oat, the kind woman with coffee, pancakes in the morning and goulash in the evening are like little angels visiting from heaven. No doubt we want to mention them in our tales. They make it possible to do this journey and live this basic living!