Resting in Vienna….

June 08, 2023

Resting in Vienna….

June 7th 2023

Thank goodness the rain gives us sunny breaks here and there and the temperatures are pleasant. So we got to cycle along the coast back, pretty much the same route we came from late last year, skirting Venice

by ferry and camping along the way in all the campgrounds which were closed last November. The ferries topped up their ticket fees and the crowds remind me of the approaching summer season. Time to head north!

Last dip….bye, bye Mediterranean.

The beautiful and already very well visited little coast town of Caorle was our jump off - we are heading for the hills and to our truly favorite cycle path the CAAR (Ciclovia Alpe Adria Radweg):

From the famous city of Mozart to the beautiful Adriatic Sea The Alpe Adria Cycle Path: From the city of Mozart to the Adriatic Sea

We took a much shorter portion of the path, basically started in the tiny, very pleasant village of Valeriano and found this Agriturismo “Hotel” where we watched and waited out a super dramatic nature display of a downpour and a thunder/lighting show while we were tucked away in one of the cheapest and most pleasant stays in Italy:

https://www.valerianoanticadimora.it/agriturismo/

From then on the railroad cycle path - this time in the opposite direction- did not disappoint!

20+ tunnels!

The first day in the mountains, the gentle climb following the old railroad converted into a cycle path was just as pleasant riding up as it was rolling down 1/2 year ago. The sun was with us, even though the forecast threatened with rain (again!!).

A new WarmShower place had signed up in the new year and we got to experience a gorgeous and stunning night (in our tent) under the stars surrounded by the old mountains (Alps),

accompanied by a glacier river (can’t figure out the name) after a yummy homemade meal (spaghetti bolognese and garbanzo bean soup with apple pieces(!). These WS hosts are so happy and welcoming…made me feel like I want to stay and participate with everything they are doing. It felt like a home as in: this is “my tribe”

The website tells a little more:

Stazione di Chiusaforte - Official Website

…and now:

Sometimes…and lately more often…I stumble upon imagining myself content in one place. I had those strange (hahaha) sensations a few times before.

While home could be a lot of places and what feels like home is where your people are.

In the Italian culture the bonds between families are so strong and often visible. Not just in Italy, but that is where we spent the last 3 month and I caught myself looking longingly and shyly over to the picnicking families and friends gatherings listening to the sound/tone of their voices (not understanding a word), the bickering, the high volume arguing, the laughter, the almost palpable connection between them. It doesn’t seem important if they are fighting or just having a conversation - I couldn’t tell anyways…

They are home and at home with each other is what I envy, when exposed, feeling the old “miss my friends and family”

Cycling 130km on gentle climbs through the mountains took us 2 days before reaching Villach (by sunshine believe it or not!)

STOP! Take the train, gosh darn it!

From there we took advantage of our semi planned bailing point and hopped the train to Vienna. Here we are taken in by another WS host who -soon after our first greeting - handed us his keys and said: “I am super busy, please make yourselves comfortable, I am staying with my girlfriend. If you leave before Sunday, please throw the keys in the mail box.”

An apartment in Vienna with time to rest, reflect, read, write, watch the rain, listen to the thunder, find a dry spell and visit the city with its remarkable cafes, architecture and history.