Letter 11
Sunday 31.07.11
A day off at last. Not that I've missed it, but maybe needed it. I'm up
a little past 7. A noisy road just outside the site. A nice shower and
breakfast. The swedes went out last night and I haven't heard them
since. The weather looks good, a bit of blue. It takes me a little too
long to find out I have to do my laundry, but there's just ONE available
machine. The clothes were piled up but the washing powder? Oh, there's a
small shop with everything one could need. Quite right, a small (tiny)
packet of Persil for 3€90, I'll take that. The machine is still
available so I'm in business.
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| Zell am See seen from the camping site | Laundry |
When I get back the father from yesterday come to ask if I feel like a
cup of coffee? He offers me his chair and sit himself on the cold store.
He's in the fifties and works at the Storebæltsforbindelsen. The
daughter is sweet, 9-10 years and has this matter-of-fact about her.
We're having a real good time until they want to go swimming and I have
to find my line for the laundry. I never find the line but make do with
the tents wires which normally are unused. All is brought out in the sun
even the inner tent. Now it's back in place and despite scattered clouds
the sun shines constantly.
I speak a little to some danes, who are heading homewards tomorrow after
8 weeks in different places. They offer me a map of the area that would
have been thrown out. I could have had "Pillars of the Earth" but they
were too heavy to carry.
My bike gloves are still gone. I hoped they would appear when all was
brought outside, but no... They were a bit worn out but.... And my one
pedal is broken. It felt strange from time to time. It's the rim that's
broken in one corner. Maybe I reach Vienna anyway?
Wi-Fi for one hour is 2€, it'll have to wait until tomorrow before I
leave.
I also talked to the swedes. Better make friends with people. They're
alright, two of them looks like big clumsy boys - and they've bought
tyrolese hats!
Now I feel like a swim, now I've brought my bathing trunks. Martin (I
know now) and Josefine are there, so I can leave my handlebar bag with
the fortune and the camera in safe hands. The bottom is very soft - your
feet disappears - but the water is fresh and not too cold.
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| Josefine | Citylife in Zell am See |
The day passes by and I don't go anywhere. Gross
Glockner Hochalpenstrasse, which I had planned from back home, is
forgotten. It's more than 2000 height meters. I need rest - no
exertions. But next time...
I speak to more danes that have arrived on motorbike - with trailer! I
never saw that before.
Now the clean clothes are stacked neatly. I'll soon be ready to move on.
The pedal is broken because one of the four screws holding the rim is
gone, so under these circumstances the rim couldn't withstand the
pressure from my foot up the mountain. I brought some screws, the
diameter is alright, but the thread different. Wonder if I can find a
replacement somewhere?
Now at night I've gone to town. It's quickly overlooked. The most
conspicuous is Grand Hotel, which cuts off the promenade at the lake -
you simply have to walk around.
I find an italian restaurant (neither the chef or the owner are italians
I learn later), that offers Pizza Siciliana, a variant from Pizza
Napoli. With garlic, olives and anchovis. The secret of the many muslims
is revealed. All the danes talked about them. Have you seen all the
covered muslim women? By many you can hardly see their eyes! And I
actually had. The first up at Krimml Waterfall. At that time I thought
it was nice to see that those kinds also made vacation. I remember
seeing her taking a photo with a cellphone. Later I saw several on my
way through town.
But that so many should be here on holiday couldn't be possible, meant
the danes. But they are - according to the waitress. Most of them are
from Dubai and have come for honeymoon. They seem to like the cool
climate and the rain. Well, we all seem to like something new when we're
on vacation....
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| Grand Hotel have its OWN promenade | My danish friends Martin and Josefine |
When I get back to my tent Martin and Josefine are just about to play
casino. We start with a trial play. It takes so long that we don't get
any further. I win the cards but loose the points.
ca. 10 km