Right in the middle there instead of just

Guys and girls, my travel blog is going bad... You might almost think that I haven't had anything to say since my time in Europe, but I can say the opposite. The only difference: I no longer have long bus rides that I can use for organizational things, blog entries, etc. Driving and writing the blog at the same time don't mix well. At least not on European highways, perhaps in South America.

Well, anyway, I'll try to summarize the highlights of the last 3 weeks:

So Dexi and I arrived in Switzerland as a real backpacker and camping duo (that's what we looked like) and marched, dirty as we were, to Nicole's chic hotel. I love camping, but honestly? There's something special about having your own hotel room with a clean, cozy bed and your own bathroom. We were definitely welcomed with open arms by everyone and felt like we were at home. You have to give it to the Swiss: they are hospitable and, above all, dog-friendly. And since Dexter felt like he was the star everywhere, I usually couldn't resist going to Nicole's bar. Dexi just kept pulling me in there because she was so happy to see everyone again. So it was his fault.

In any case, it didn't take long and after the first coffee, the Prosecco was immediately on the table. So Dexi's and my birthday could come. After all, you only turn 8 once and 30 only once. In any case, there was a lot of partying in and out of my DIRTY THIRTY. I always thought that Berlin police officers were very hard-drinking, but have you ever partied with Swiss restaurateurs?! My liver definitely thanks you.

Originally we only wanted to stay a few days for my birthday, but Dexi and I somehow couldn't really separate ourselves from my sister Nicole and the rest. But since we're traveling without a plan or time, we decided to extend our stay without further ado. Simply put on the outfit of the boys and girls at the bar and I was basically part of the inventory and was allowed to stay.

No matter how long the nights were, the area around Davos was of course always explored during the day. Weissfluchjoch, Jöriseen, Sertig waterfalls, Jakobshorn, Madrisa - we climbed them all or at least took the gondola up. Of course I would have hiked up anywhere, but Dexter, the lazy pig, didn't feel like it every now and then - the best excuse. :D

And since I had extended my stay, I was even able to see Mom and Dad, who had already announced their visit. I think the two of them saw me almost more often during my trip around the world than in everyday life.

In short, Davos really had a lot to offer. Nicole and I had an extremely cool time as sisters and it was nice to have the same people around us for a long time and to be close to our hearts. I definitely left Davos with a few stories to tell. It doesn't matter whether it's boy bands in bathrobes, techno parties until sunrise with dogs smuggled in, rescue operations by total strangers in heavy rain, folk musicians on the tables and on the floor or dog poop in the lake. There was a little bit of everything. But, at the latest, when the taxi driver knows your name and radios you on the way to the bar, you know it's time to go. Dexi, the little sunshine dog, showed off his charm and was quickly invited to a party in Zurich. And since someone had to drive it, I was fortunate enough to come along and spend a few nice days in the capital. As we all know, you should always go when it's at its best and after a fairly long stay in Switzerland, Dexi and I were ready for the next road trip. So off we went to Italy, more precisely to Milan. Due to a forecast storm, we quickly stopped at Lake Lugano for one night and at least managed to put up the tent in the dry. The night itself was one thing above all else - wet, cold and loud due to the thunderstorm. But we survived that too - unfortunately my cell phone didn't. Accordingly, the mood the next morning was a bit low, but the journey had to continue. Shortly before Milan we found a super cute organic farm where we were allowed to camp for 2 nights. In Milan itself I was a bit lost at first, until my beloved walking tours came back to mind. Why shouldn't this work with a dog? Conclusion: I was happy because I was able to go on a tour like in the "good old times" in South America and Dexi was happy because everyone petted him and - unlike the stories the guide told - he was suddenly the highlight of the tour leadership was. I don't know how many pictures were taken of him, but maybe I should think about a career as a petfluencer.

After Milan we went straight on to France. We cruise along the beautiful Côte d'Azur and as real jet setters we took a lot with us: Nice, Sait Tropez, Parc National des Calanques, Cassis, Gruissan and Parc Regional de la Narbonnaise en Méditerranée. So we got around quite a bit and had some really long but really nice days.

Most of the time, nomadic life is as picture-perfect as it sounds. But there are also those few days when you just want to throw everything away and really ask yourself why you're doing this to yourself. I also get completely stressed out from organizing and planning - especially with a dog. Sometimes I also want someone in my passenger seat to support me. I get upset about every bit of dirt. I hate my car for a moment because it doesn't have air conditioning. I could shake Dexter because he's chasing some cat again or he's having some aches and pains again. I hate it when my body is just tired and needs rest. And and and. Sometimes it's the little things that make traveling difficult for me, BUT most of the time after an ice break the world quickly becomes back to normal and our way of traveling feels imperfectly perfect to me again. The only thing that's really a bit annoying is the attack dog comments. Everyone can see that Dexter is a Labrador-Chihuahua mix. I'm also so proud of him because he goes along with everything so sociably and well. No matter whether it's the Swiss mountain gondola, the Italian tram, the French train, crowds of people, running around in nature, at night or during the day, he is always by my side, always happy and deeply relaxed. Well, at least 99% of the time, as we all know, there are arguments in the best families.

After the Côte d'Azur, the day before yesterday we arrived at my friend Clementine's in Monflanquin, about 2 hours from Bordeaux. Clementine and I met 10 years ago while working and traveling in Australia and it was an instant match - obviously happens to me often when I travel. (Greetings go out to Kathi)

The last time I visited Clem was 8 years ago, but when she came to me beaming with joy and saying "Bonjour Sweety", I knew that nothing had changed after all these years - just beautiful! In the next post there will be more about our adventures together - enough text for today.

Bisous!