Monday, August 03, 2015

Indiana/Florida trip, part 2

[Uploading all these photos is pretty interesting when our "internet thingie" wants to be kept in the freezer. We're trying to appease it with bowls of ice and the fan, but it's not convinced. It's not even hot here today.]

I don't have any photos from my travel time, because I checked the camera right through to Chicago in my suitcase. But I had a really nice, easy trip, and I did wish that I could have taken photos in Austria. I didn't go into the city of Vienna, since I was by myself, and we did that last time. Instead, I got a hotel room one stop further out on the train. It was actually pretty fun to figure that out by myself. First there was a train worker on the platform, who asked me, "Do you speak English or Deutsch?" and then proceeded to tell me in perfect English the exact opposite of what I needed. I followed his directions, but then saw my train back on the other platform where I had been standing and ran up, over, down to jump on it just in time. A nice Austrian babushka--the only person on the train!--helped me to figure out that I was in the right place, going the right direction. Then I had a nice walk to my hotel. Except that I almost melted; it was so hot that day! I wanted to take pictures of the perfectly clean, empty streets of that Austrian village, where butterfly bushes were growing higher than the houses.

I continued on to Chicago the next morning, marvelled at the automated customs and immigration machines (fingerprints and photos and all in one), finally connected with my friends and my ride, and made it to Indiana farm country, where we were met by...

A full, double rainbow...
A beautiful sunset...
A massive dog...
...and the most amazing hospitality. The family hosting was going through a medical crisis, but they met the first three of us, introduced us to their freezers (yes, multiple, and yes, named), showed us the beds and bedding, and let us get ready to meet the rest of the 15-ish guests who would be arriving, while they headed back to the hospital.

That dog again
The next day we worked on planning details and went for a walk to get sample bouquets of wildflowers.

Jeanne crossing the bridge
The creek
A first handful
A planning meeting, with The Dog taking part
The next day more people arrived, including these two little ones from Texas and Peru:



To be continued....

2 comments:

Mom said...

Although we saw most of these photos while you were here, it's still a delight to have your commentary and to revel in the fact that you actually came to see us. We love you.

Baba Julie said...

Your pictures are wonderful! It looks like you had a great time! LOVE "The Dog" putting himself in the middle of it all! And, so sorry that we don't get to see that Austrian village. I'm sure it was incredible! Again, we are so happy that you were able to make this trip and that you are home safe and sound!! Love you!