Slow Down for the Low Down

Apart from a rainy and restful stop in Ljubljana, this roadtrip has been a one-night-only show in each stopover town. Life on the go is progressive but not good for the soul. I pitch a tent here, buy food there and pack-up after breakfast. While i couldn't be sure of the day or date, at least i can tell you what i've had for dinner each night. After all, food is important and you are what you eat.

If that really is the case; i'm rich, creamy and i'll leave you wanting more.

Venice and it's surrounding mainland are ideal for some stopping, relaxing and pitching up but not taking down. The famous city is a calming and picturesque 30min water-bus away, the beach is visible from the tent and fresh fruit and veg are everywhere.

Welcome to Italy.

Tourists amble. Gondola drivers sing and look cool in stripes. I admire the view.

Venice is a painting. The sparkling blues and greens of the water dance in sunlight. As evening approaches and the sunset begins it's own grand show, those same colours make love to the warm shades of reds, oranges and lilacs of the buildings. I'm a voyeur enjoyer.

My dad always told me to keep my wits about me when in another land. I love a nice pair of wits. Here i have all the wits and pieces i need. Now my wits also include my best "bonjourno", "ciao" and "grazie mille". Why simply thank someone when you can thank them a million with an extra two syllables?

Internet cafe time is up.

I'm off for another gelato.

Peace, Love & Calories...

-Glenn x

Lucky in Ljubljana

Lucia is a kind soul. Always maintaining a smile and carrying an air and grace of carefree eternal youth. She owns a toystore here on Gallusovo Nabrezje. The store is a treasure chest for the young, the silly and the curious. Memories are jogged by the toys and games which decorate each shelf. Displays display all things colourful and fun.I'm not superstitious or religious, but i believe in good vibes and positivity. And i like to travel with a charm or mascot. The mascot who began the trip with me was a small but powerful porcelain guardian angel.

I'm not a violent person either, but i'm sorry to say i smashed the angel into tiny pieces. She was the devil in disguise. She brought nothing but expensive repair bills and un-certainty. Also, i'm not sure if guardian angels are fully suited to provide care and fortune on the road. In this sunny existence of ours, i deem myself fortunate enough. If i have any, i assume all my guardian angels just want to lay down and watch a movie.

So, with thanks to Lucia and the toystore here in Ljubljana, i have a new lucky charm. It comes in the form of a green (for positivity & good fortune) kaliedescope. It hangs on the mirror of the jeep. It provides a blanket of good vibes and an immediate & hedonistic escape from heavy traffic.

Joze Plecnik might not have been thinking about hedonistic escapes when he created Ljubljana, but tonight i thank Slovenia's most celebrated architect. He designed a city that's been a great escape from the autobahn.

With ljove and ljight from Ljubljana, and beneath an umbrellor stolen from an Austrian hotel... -Glenn x

King of the Autobahn

It's no wonder Germany is home to so many quality manufacturers of car. The entire country seems to consist of winding roads carving smooth curves through alpine forest. Everything feels and reads like a clip from Top Gear.

Audi's, BMW's, Mercedes and Porches all flew past my gentle, topless procession. Driving time in the newly fixed Suzuki is a slow and steady procession, takin' in easy and feelin' it breezy. Upon leaving AutohausPeter GmbH, "take it easy on the motorway", were the last words of advice given by Mr Peter. I olblige. And with 700km in two days, the jeep obliges too. Peter and his team testify true to the positve stereotype of German mechanics.

So, with this roadshow moving into a new moon of positive energy and forward motion, we've waved goodbye to Germany and tonight wave hallo to Austria. My inner self has room remaining for hearty sausage and single 0.5l servings of beer. As for my couchsurfing friend next to me (the Korean Princess), we're still attempting to find out whats German for 'non-fizzy water'.

Being back on the road means adventure is plentiful on the menu. I have much to tell but little time to tell it. From the lobby of a hotel, the slow but free connection and the knowing glare of staff who do not recognise me as a guest are pointers that it's time to leave.

Before i do, some holiday snaps to share...How do you like your eggs in the morning? I like mine with bed-hair.

Everything in the jeep is retro, even the sat-nav.

Germany into Austria... rolling hills of lush and green.

Dinner with friends...

As for the Austrian birds of human variety, they all appear to be in national dress. Maybe as it's a Sunday and maybe as this is a small town its the usual thing. I don't know. I would ask but they make me mumble my words and go weak at the knees.

Anyway, i've got clothes washing by hand to do.

Gutten Reis,
Glenn x

The Fairytale of St.Goar

Once upon a time there lived a blissful optimist and a Korean Princess. They lived in a tent in the valley of the River Rhine. Each day they would wake up and make coffee in the back of their jeep, explore hills, castles and the townsfolk of St. Goar. And every evening they would cook, drink wine and dine under the stars.Life was perfect.

However, they dreamt of hills and townsfolk beyond St.Goar. So one day they packed their tent, frisbee and gas stoves into the jeep and left St.Goar. But they didn't get very far. 20kms along the road the jeep became broken.The blissful optimist and Korean Princess then made a home in the village of Simmern while they waited for news of the jeeps repair. Simmern was kind. The village provided a first-rate Suzuki dealer & workshop, refreshing Bitburger beer and a comfortable hotel on Schloss strasse.Even Frank Sinatra was happy to be in Simmern.The stay in Simmern was short. Having returned to homely Amsterdam, the blissful optimist and Korean Princess thought long and hard about a costly repair bill as the jeep lay restfully back in Simmern. The decision process aided by a very helpful and wise man and woman.

To be continued...