Day No. 1 - Back to the future

Preface:

The beauty of the digital age is that you can rewind sometimes. Just like when I was lying on my stomach in front of my tape recorder and, stop, rewind. - That already existed in the analog age. So rewind again, to the first day of our long journey. So today is August 8, 2019. What I don't know yet today is that this journey will last much longer than I could have ever imagined. Because on August 8, everything still feels like it's going to be a short vacation. I have only recently quit my job, which until now took up almost my entire life.

Why? - Because he didn't make me happy anymore and because I knew somewhere out there is more. More life, more happiness. But all that is not yet tangible today on August 8, 2019. Never did I think this would be the beginning of a gypsy life. But one thing I already knew today. I, who had never kept a diary in my entire life, wanted to write down my experiences.

I knew I had to make it tangible line by line so I wouldn't forget it later and be sure I experienced it. If you like, I will take you with me. Forgive me, my writing style is sometimes a bit bumpy. Not every day is equally exciting and I must warn you. There will be good but also not so good days. But one thing I know for sure today, without Torgit I would never have dared to do it. So, let's get started...

...Just a few days ago we spontaneously bought a used VW California. He has already got a name, Hector. The first car of my life with its own name. I have had many cars, but this one is something special, real BULLI DNA. So it also deserves a name. 

"If you will
Are you the destination of a long journey....“

So today it should go with Hector and us on the first longer tour. - We have familiarized ourselves in advance, on a short trip in the Hunsrück and the Eifel a little. But before we go together, on our tour around the Iberian Peninsula, we want to make a slightly longer tour in any case, to make sure that we do not forget anything essential.

In any case, the house bar is already set up. And the cowhide has also found its place. But what was especially important to us is our entrance carpet, which greets us with a smile every day.

"...The perfection of the best way
Quietly in still moments..."

We have determined our destination only in the last few days. We want to start to Croatia. On the one hand, a long-time teammate ( ½ Austrian - ½ Croatian) raves for years about his hometown Rovinj, as the most beautiful city in Croatia, if not the world. On the other hand, my good friend Micha, was just with his Bulli in the region and also raves in the highest tones.  

For me, the trip to Croatia is a trip to the past. - As a child, I often spent vacations near Zadar, which I have very good memories. On the other hand, I was there again with my ex-girlfriend, shortly after the Balkan war, of which I have less good memories. - No, it was not because of the ex, but because there was still a lot of the influences of the war. But in Cologne the sky was slightly cloudy and Croatia promises sun and warmth. Therefore, we are looking forward to a few, peaceful and sunny days .

"...The froth of the surge of enthusiasm
Uphill, my drive and momentum..."

Since we, as Cologne residents, love the cathedral, we bid farewell in keeping with our status. Coffee with a view of the Rhine and the cathedral. - Surely one or the other knows the perspective from the Cologne crime scene. Here, the detectives Freddy and Max enjoy french fries and Kölsch beer in front of the "Wurstbraterei". - But there's no sign of the currywurst stand today. Because in real life, the stand is located in the Rheinauhafen. - But we want to drink coffee, see the cathedral and not eat sausages. 

In the afternoon, the last boxes are stowed, the SUP packed and we set off on the tour. Today our goal is the Chiemsee. - During the night we cross Munich, the Chiemsee is close, but it goes just so well. - Without further ado, we decide to leave Chiemsee on the left and instead deviate from the main route at Rosenheim and drive via Kitzbühel, still a little through the mountains of Austria. 

"...I just wanted to let you know
That you are the greatest thing to me..."

Only late at night we leave the road and turn into a dirt road, which is slowly entwined with trees left and right. We quickly find a cozy spot. So we fold up the roof and unfold the bed. Only when the bed is straightened, we realize how loud it is outside. We are too tired to investigate the cause. Now we sleep, which is easy for us thanks to the tiredness. 

"...And make sure that you feel the same way about me
Feel for me" 
Sportfreunde Stiller