Linz, A View, A Church And A Friend Chanel Made At The Campground. Him And His Father Were Hiking The

Linz, a view, a church and a friend Chanel made at the campground. Him and his father were hiking the Rheinsteig as well, and while we were sitting at the table and talking, Chanel decided to jump off of my lap, and onto his. She stayed there the rest of the evening, even while I went to the toilet or the kiosk to buy beer. I always feel really proud of her when she trusts other people, and has the confidence to approach them.

"Dammit, Europe, more work and washingpowder staff?" Another case of my initial German translation upon reading something out of the corner of one eye.

Today, we crossed the Rhine and entered France.

I just felt like sharing how my view got gradually better at that place where I was staying a few nights ago. And the pictures really do not do it justice. It's one of the few nights where instead of reading or watching tv on my phone, I just sat with my tent wide open and watched the Rhine, listing to the sounds of birds and water and people, and smelling the fresh air and the wet grass. It had rained heavily a few hours earlier, and so there were fewer bugs and everything felt fresher.

So today started out as one of those days that just... suck. I woke up feeling fed up with all this effing walking, with camp grounds, new people, eating readymade food from the supermarket, having to pack and unpack every day, planning my route through Google Maps, etc. I was lying in my sleepingbag, recalling with a groan that my newly washed clothes were still hanging to dry, but that it had also rained heavily that night. I got up to check on them, and found that while all were drenched, half of them had further more been blown to the ground during the night and were now both wet and dirty. My mood didn't improve. I hung everything up, ate some breakfast and passed a few hours watching tv on my phone. I called my mom to tell her that I was fed up and wanted to go home. I have to call my mom in these moments, because my dad, my boyfriend, my sister, my friends, basically anyone else would just agree with me and tell me I should go home if I didn't feel like doing it anymore. Not my mom. After listening to me whine for a while she told me to suck it up, give it a few more days at least, and buy an ice cream. Even though I told her what I thought she should do with her ice cream, I grudgingly had to agree with her. I packed up my stuff, put on my only slightly damp clothes and set off. I had the route planned out on Google maps, but after an hour the route tracks suddenly stopped. According to Google, the tracks were supposed to go on through what seemed like a forest all the way to my next destination. But in front of me was only tall grass and prickly bushes. I felt like throwing my backpack to the ground and setting it on fire, fully aware that I would be forced to go home if I did. My already foul mood flared into a thunderstorm, and I thought I was going to start screaming like a lunatic. I turned around and started walking back the way I had come, not really sure what to do next. I turned on some heavy metal to take the brunt of my aggression. One solution filled my thoughts: Hotel. I wanted my own room, my own bed, my own bathroom, my own shower. Something I hadn't had for about a month now. Through the internet I found a hotel near my intended destination and a route there with public transportation. I called to make sure they had space and placed a reservation. When I arrived I left my backpack and Chanel in the room and went to the nearest supermarket. I bought strawberries, bretzel, iced coffee, chips, candy, a sandwich, beer, cake, ice cream, a luxury dinner for Chanel, and a treat for her also. When I returned I gave an expectant Chanel her snack, and she instantly returned to the bed to sleep. I figured I'd have a quick shower. While standing in the shower and thinking about the groceries, I suddenly felt like doing something I haven't been able to in a long time: drinking beer in the shower. I went back to the room, butt naked and with water dripping everywhere, and got a beer. Back in the shower I remembered that I had an ice cream melting at the bottom of my shopping bag. I went and got that too. I thought about getting my Kindle, but was worried it would get wet. So instead I got my phone, turned on an audio book, put one of the smaller towels on the shower floor and made myself comfortable. Half an hour later I emerged slightly buzzed and with a significantly heightened mood.

When it's raining outside, there's really nothing to do but find a little German cafe and have a hot chocolate and a piece of cake for lunch.