A bit odd

Suddenly I am less than a meter away from other people. Hordes of them are flowing past me and I am among a melange of holiday makers, culture seekers and youngsters going for adventure in Zagreb. Glad that I washed myself properly at the warm water basin before I mingled. Glad as well that I was born in 1972 where countries were still very much distinguished when I traveled through them.

Geo and I are testing a new combo. Here we go: Geo seeking culture and I some luxury for a change.

My camp is above Geo’s camp spot and looking out over Podsreda castle. A storm force not seen for many years has uprooted many trees and I am not very much at ease camping in a logging area. Earplugs come in handy so I won’t hear the wind swishing the tree tops.

When I am not yet surrounded by people I smell perfumes of unknown origin and so different in scent than the known from Hungary. Surprisingly big, undoubtedly old, trees catch my attention. The views are stretched and bouncing from hill to another hill. Only 500 meter in altitude but I feel in Chilean Patagonia. In reality we are in Slovenia, just over the border with Hungary.

The inclines are steep and 10 kilometer in one day on my kickbike is not very much, considering that half of that distance is downhill. These slopes have me walking next to the kickbike with both brakes pressed in, which is hurting my hands. I either do this or push the fully loaded kickbike.

A mind not settled into long term travel and not used to steep roads can not handle these sudden changes (at least, mine not).

I don’t know it yet but the Airbnb Geo has booked for me is waiting just round the corner. It’s a bit run down, I’m told. The paint peeling off, the windows matted, the floor uneven and the whole appears to be rather moist. The kitchen might not be a fully functioning one but there ought to be a herb garden and a wash basin. There’s a wood stack and fires are allowed. Of course, that is not how it was described, but old Slovenian farm houses have kept their character, I know that much. Nevertheless, considering the large amounts of rainfall I think it’ll be just fine.

The big disadvantage of camping remains the uninspiring food I am eating. It doesn’t fill me up and the taste is always disappointing. At least I’ve got fresh beans, onions, garlic and herbs from my own garden.

Rain soaks me and I need to do effort to get to the dry place. In rain, the least favorable weather circumstances, I prefer to have some luxury in the form of a roof.

I wash myself partly with water from a sort of bathtub, remove a tick embedded in my inner thigh and know why I do what I do. Though it is far from the usual ‘holiday’.

The next day, having made no plan, I am not sure which direction to kick to. Seen the countryside with farms dotted everywhere I am sure of one thing: it’s not the unspoiled empty beauty I am after. Therefor I decide to stay in camp an extra day.

I like it very much that all I need is packed with me. It is liberating and at the same time a restriction. To make do with the temporary limitations is ‘holiday’ to me.

With my 33 minutes too late I meet with Geo, and together we drive to Zagreb, the city of uninspiring graffiti on every surface possible. It is a welcome change to the Slovenian countryside where kickbiking was just a tad too steep.

From Iveco tiny house on wheels to a Renault Master is remarkable tinier.

Funny, how people fill in the blanks of what a ‘holiday’ is.

How does your ‘holiday’ usually looks like and is it also rather removed from the normal ways, that when you do what you do and realize how odd it actually is? I am curious to read your funny habits and preferences.

Letters in bold should not be taken litteraly: it is made up.