I had imagined this summer quite differently. Sure, the summer temperatures in there Netherlands are definitely here, but I don't want to be here at all. It's not that I don't want to go on vacation—far from it. But our new four-legged friend has put our plans on hold. The pet hotel only had availability in the last week of summer break, so until then, we're waiting.

Photography is a journey in itself, full of surprises and challenges. Over the years, I’ve discovered that the power of a compact camera bag isn’t just in the ease of travel, but also in how it forces you to be creative. Here are five things I’ve learned from my street photography adventures in cities like Beijing, Ambon, Jakarta, the woods of Poland and Luxembourg.