“Travels to a Different Time” : 12August1974: Bled, Northern Italy and up to Kufstein Austria

Happy 19^th birthday! Last year of being a teenager. I packed up which I find a bit of a pain as just when I think I am done I see something I have forgotten to pack. And since my Munich bag broke I really have to cram my possessions, as meagre as they may be in my knapsack. I had a farewell bottle of cold Radenska and took a bus trip to the main highway to stick out my thumb. The ride came real quick and what a birthday present with a 55 year old woman heading up through Italy up to Austria. She had a son my age travelling in Greece so I told her some of my adventures there and what life is like on the road. Hopefully she did not suffer a nervous breakdown. I am a regular Jack Kerouac! One day my travel diary may be a book. What incredible scenery in Austria with everything being so green and the majestic mountains. She left me off at Kufstein and I found the youth hostel which was better than the Yugoslav and Romanian barracks. Since it was my birthday I splurged at a German chain Wienerwald with a quarter chicken, fries, salad and a litre of very good Austrian beer and some waffle cookies at $4.20. Expensive! A glorious hot shower and off to bed after talking with two Canadians in my room. No chocolate cake, birthday cards and I briefly thought how and where Randi was. Sigh! I suppose I can feel lonely for one day?