On the way to Cologne, my feelings were mixed. Today, on the day of our return flight to Faro, they are crystal clear. I am looking forward to coming home. Hector has now become our home. I would have thought that I would walk through the whole apartment to say goodbye. But strangely enough, that didn't happen.
We got up early this morning, packed the last of our things and then had a coffee from our Rocket. This espresso machine has been a sanctuary for me for a long time - today the coffee was nice, just nice. - Tomorrow we'll have real coffee from our Bialetti again. 😉
The last three days have been more than stressful. - But I noticed that I quickly got back into my rhythm. At least until Torgit pointed out to me that I had immediately reverted to my old riding style. - The moment I realized how right she was, I slowed down immediately, first unconsciously and then consciously. - At the same time, I noticed how I immediately relaxed. - Anyone who knows me knows that I can get upset easily. A typical choleric person. - It's nice to feel and learn that many things can be done more calmly. - It makes me happy to feel balanced.
When we board the ICE in Cologne, I still get a little nervous. How could it be otherwise, Deutsche Bahn is late again. A technical fault, so nothing new. But what is new is that my excitement only lasts for a few seconds. Then it's gone, as if blown away.
We still have some time at the airport, now we can compile our notes from the last few days in the blog. We have a few days to catch up. No, we don't have to, we can catch up on a few days' work. It's a pleasure.
I still have a moment to think about airports. For me, airports used to be the epitome of freedom, adventure and longing. - There used to be real airplanes. Today, everything is tested in wind tunnels. Most people rush through the airport. For me, the airport is also about saying goodbye and saying welcome. I always find it exciting to watch lovers who still perceive a separation as such, and I find the pictures of couples who see and find each other again even more exciting.
Now it's time to check in, Reinhard Mey is running through my head:
"...And it roars in my ears
And the wet asphalt shakes
The rain dusts like a veil
Until it takes off and floats
Towards the sun
Above the clouds
Freedom must be limitless
All fears, all worries
Say
Remained hidden underneath
And then
Dignity that seems great and important to us
Suddenly void and small"
On the plane, I strike up a conversation with the person sitting next to me. Elisabeth, 59 years old, comes from Alsace. We quickly move on to topics such as good food and drink. Then it turns out that Elisabeth is also traveling. Apparently she was on the same plane as us on Tuesday and was just making a flying visit. Only in Alsace.
Elisabeth has raised five children, worked a lot in her life, she is a midwife and at some point simply felt an inner tiredness. Newly divorced, she just didn't feel like it anymore. She bought an old camper van. She first took it to Corsica and is now in her second year in Portugal. Although her children are spread across France and her mother still lives in Alsace, she now feels at home in Portugal. Or rather, home is where you park your van.
Elisabeth describes how her life has changed. Living without external control certainly sums it up. Eating only when you're hungry, sleeping when you're tired and reading a book when you feel like it.
"I don't need much to be happy." - I stumble across this sentence again and again. It seems to fit here. But what I find strange is that I have the feeling I'm meeting more and more vegans, or at least more vegetarians. Elisabeth doesn't eat sausage or cheese either. - But I make up for this. Although I am somehow also a vegetarian, a second-hand vegetarian. Because cattle eat a purely vegetarian diet, I eat cattle.
Definitely an exciting conversation. When I get a few tips for pitches on top of that, I'm particularly pleased. We agree to meet for a coffee in the near future. It remains exciting.
When we arrived in Faro, I literally relaxed. - I had already adjusted to Ryanair's suitcase standards. But at just under two meters tall, I find it very, very difficult to be squeezed into the seat standard. - As we disembark, I feel the freedom returning. - This could also be due to the small and clearly laid out airport in Faro. It's only a few steps on foot from the gateway to the baggage carousel.
Next to us, some golfers are waiting for their luggage. As in every group, there is also an alpha male here. Inevitably, you can tell from the conversation that this is a salesman. In my previous life, I would certainly have started a conversation straight away. My house, my car... - It's nice to just be out of this unnecessary power struggle.
As we leave the airport terminal, Rafael, the campsite operator, is already waiting right outside the door - his campsite may be a little simpler, but his service is great, simply great. We are driven to the supermarket so that we can do some shopping.
When we arrive at Hector's, the sun has set. Suddenly everything is dark. Nevertheless, we receive a warm welcome from our neighbors. - We quickly raise the pop-up roof and make our bed. We are in the bunk in no time. We fall asleep with the satisfied feeling of being at home.
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