From Ireland to Austria Series: Lindau is the City of Sleepers
This is from a series originally posted on my original blog: Seefahrer Thayer. While I don't recommend it, you can view the original posts here. Because the content had value and useful tips I've decided to repost them here, however, they've since been heavily edited and updated.
Why? I wish I had an exact answer.
Let me begin with saying, I love Lindau on the Bodensee. It's such an tiny place, so relaxing and calm and quiet... which is great if you're retired and just looking for a rest (like me).
I ended up staying an extra day because of my foot. And also I caught the lazy bug that apparently everyone gets. I didn't do too much with my extra day here, I walked around, fed some birds, bought an abundance of food, went home, changed, bought a Swiss Army Knife (hey I'm as good as in Switzerland, it counts), walked along the water, sat down and read about Russia, got some currywurst... then walked around some more. I basically just walked all day. Oh and I ate a lot of ice cream. It's way too available in Europe, I mean c'mon guys.
A major problem I've heard about is that there's nothing to occupy the youth. There's essentially no shopping for anyone younger than 62-years-young, and of course not even a 24-hour Walmart to stomp around in looking for something to do with friends (or maybe my friends and I were the only people that did that.) So as a result (and this really interested me throughout the trip- maybe I'll have to do my thesis on it and come back) anyway, throughout the trip, the kids are über present, loud, obnoxious, and extrovert. They all seem to crave attention- from anyone that'd give it. Which did cause some much-needed hilarity at times. When I was sitting by the water a big group walked up, boys dressed as girls, girls dressed as guys... all on their way for a fun night out. Right down to underwear and make up. They were loud, and talking in fake voices, and happily flirting with people and posing for pictures. It was actually really funny. One of the guys dressed as a girl was trying to pick me up (acting as a girl) I think he had some gender confusion.
On my way home around 11 I encountered my first problem in Lindau. The guy from yesterday said crime is essentially nonexistent (unless it's a tourist) which I've found to be true. But on my way home I had a car pull up next to me and ask for directions. They were looking for Austria, so I literally just pointed across the lake and said, "all I know is that's it right there." And they kept bothering me, asking if I was alone, needed a ride, where I'm from, if I have a boyfriend, how old I am. I made up ridiculous answers to what I chose to respond to, like "I'm 127 years old." But I did have my knife in my hand the entire time. An older guy on a bike pulled up behind them at one point, they were in the bike lane, so it's possible he was waiting for them to move, but I would think he had plenty of room to pass. I like to think he was making sure I was okay- but he did pedal away before the guys left, so I dunno. Then, as soon as I convince them that Austria awaits and they should go, they pull away, and not even 5 seconds later, a new group of guys slow down, smile and yell something in German and slowly pull away. What a great day to have bought a knife.
So as you can see from the animals in my pictures, it's a town to relax in. When I woke up this morning and it was drizzling that was almost enough for me to say "ehhhh screw Milan." There must be something in the Kool Aide.
Oh and PS- those strawberries are the most juicy and soft strawberries I've ever eaten. Not the tastiest, but definitely juicy.
