Day 7 - Lindau to Konstanz - beginning with a special blog for Mom...

After days of gasping and gawking at the amazing arrays of flowers, I realized I now expect to be impressed at every turn.. As we biked through a more normal, much less abundantly floral area I wanted to find the mayor and ask what was up - I mean seriously, what is wrong with your inhabitants; they are very unimpressive with their gardening skills. I saw only one to two shades of purple and several green only abode - unacceptable!

So this first part of the blog is dedicated to my Mom, who both appreciates and has a green thumb. We have seen a vast array of flora - flowers hang from windows and decks; lavender apparently 'belongs' in every rocky krag.

As the pictures will show, roses of every size and color are everywhere. Where there is a phone pole, is, clearly, the most appropriate place for an overflowing basket of begonias or melon-sized peonies.

We have biked by train tracks that, instead of being ugly and metal, are surrounded by yellows and purples, reds and pinks, and yards of wild baby's breath.

The fields of fruit trees are equally impressive: apples, apricots, plums and pears and berries galore. Today's snack was local cherries, blue berries and johannesberren - and honey (Lucas drank it from the jar).

When not tended to by a careful hand, the flora cared for by mother nature is equally gorgeous. We are surrounded by nature at it's best and most beautiful...check out pics.

So, the ride. Once again, the gods of the path, who are wise and all-knowing, smiled upon us and we had an easy ride to the Bodensee (Lake Kontance). We took the catamaran to Konstance where we checked into a small hotel. The water is a beautiful turquoise and the lake is full of sailboats. The ride was no more than 30 minutes.

So, I really like to experience different cultures and I got my wish at the hotel. First, I need reading glasses, second, I figure it'll all work out - ok, so we have two rooms; while CR is getting settled, I fill out the paperwork: Name, Address, okay. I go back Down to the receptionist desk to get a wireless code and the lady is having a bit of a fit. Here is how it went; we will refer to her as 'OATDCIL' = overly attentive to detail check in lady .

OATDCIL - I was reviewing your paper work ( say this like colonel Klink at it's much more realistic) and I noticed that you entered your name on the registration papers for both rooms.

Me, in fluent German ( I. E. it's not because I didn't get something) - yep.

OATDCIL-but you are only staying in one of the rooms. I must have papers which show exactly who is on all the rooms.

Me - my brother, Charles, is in one room with his two kids and I am in the other with my son. Would you like me to get my brother?

OATDCIL - no, but that is not represented on this paperwork.

Me - would you like me to correct it? I can cross out my name on the paperwork for his room and write his name there, in that space.

OATDCIL - no, no. We cant cross things out. The papers must match the reservation. I must know who
is in the rooms. I must have the correct birth dates for everyone.

Me ( very fascinated by her obsession) - my son and I are in one room and my brother and his two children are in the other. Would you like me to have my brother come down? I know everyone's birth dates. I can fill them in.

OATDCIL - no. Under normal circumstances I would need to see him and some ID. I will have to have you fill out another form - oh! We have wasted a form. This is not good. You are not staying in both rooms but your name is on both forms.

Me - I can cross out the information on the original form and enter the correct information. Are you sure you don't want me to get him?

OATDCIL - Under normal circumstances I would need to, but I am working this out. We can't cross things out. Okay, I am going to get a new form. But you have to focus. You can't make any mistakes, okay?

Me - ok. Ummm. Was he born in 67 or 68?

OATDCIL - she takes the paper from me. Please, can you get your brother and have him fill this out - I have already used one form and these HAVE to match the reservation.

Me- yes. I will get him.

OATDCIL - all 5 of you need to sit at the same table and eat at the same time for breakfast . And we have a very strict policy against smoking.

Me - okay! Neither of us smoke. But, I don't know about the kids. You may need to talk to them.

OATDCIL - No! They cannot smoke. Our policy is clear.

Me - I am kidding. They are 5,11 and 14. No one smokes.

OATDCIL - our policy does not allow smoking.


I go upstairs and give CR the scoop about OATDCIL. His experience, although shorter, is equally fascinating.'j

We are both disturbed as we think about her upbringing or how she is managed. WHEWWW.

We spent a couple of hours walking around and came across a children's dance performance which was wonderful.

Tomorrow we will make it to Zurich and dinner with friends there.

Don't miss the flower pics!