The winds have calmed and the wirlwind of travel to Austria is done. I have rested and recovered the last day or so. Transport systems of the world have always interested me. One thing I have learned is even though they are used everyday somtimes the system does not work. Connection after connection really it is true the wirlwind has to be ridden like it or not. Somtimes it can be comfortable and fun but other times you have to fight just to stay on. I belive I fought this last time.

Baggage was the issue of the trip. Yes for the people that have traveled with me somtimes I bring too much stuff, but really this time I was in for it. Overweight luggage and extra bag fees. From the begining I packed and repacked my bags over and over. Trying to avoid the overpriced extra luggage fees even with some BS talking with the airline agent I was not able to convice him that I would be able to use a 60LB pack as a carry-on. I figured I had tryed my best but best was not good enough these days in the world of suck every pennie out of you airline companys. Not worried though because this can only be expected as really it is not a bad deal to fligh a boat, all the gear and some climbing gear halfway across the world for an extra $100 dollars. The bad part though is after all the connection of planes trains and automoblies arriving in Zurich and one of my bags is missing. My mind ventures off to how I could save this trip without the bag. I did have the boat but through the process of packing I had a plan and the plan included evey little piece of equipment. All in all I have never lost a bag on a flight and so with all the flights that I have logged in I feel very lucky. Now talking to the represinative of the baggage company I knew that yelling and screaming was not going to get me anywhere as I am sure the last thousand or so people who have done the same got no where also. Calm and collective was all I could do and hope hope hope. But really the great thing about it overall is I did really thank the airline later for me not having to hall an extra bag around at the train station in Zurich. Already over 100 pounds without that extra bag it would have been almost impossible without carring loads pile to pile in the train station. Over all my bag did come the next day and delivered strait to my friends house in Innsbruck.

Oh a little extra thought about the train station. Funny thought or event. While waiting for the train in Zurich eatting a small bit the crazy place was listening to english Christmas Music. Just a funny time that I guess you had to be there for and enjoy or not!

Now in Innsbruck Austria, it is a going to be a bright sunny day today. I have woken a little before everyone else here at my friends flat. It is a very comfortable place located near central Innsbruck. I sleep on the cough in Dani's room so comfortable really. A lot nicer than the airplane seats I have been sleeping in. Yesterday we went in to the city to get out am walk around take some pictures and I wanted to see the river. Innsbruck is a thriving city but not overwhealming. I belive it is my 4th time here. I have come here everytime I have been to Austria. In the heart of the Austrian Alps Beautiful views of the coutryside along with all the amidities of the city. Yes I looked at the river where I have planned to start my trip. The water is a little low. Looks a lot like the wenatchee river for those who know it. Rumers of it being illegal to have a boat in the river has sparked intrest in me. Rumer is that friends of my friend once tryed to float the river and the authorities kicked them out within an hour of floating the river. I am not really sure what to think of this. I may be able to just go for it and go unseen and unoticed. But I really do not want to go one hour down the river and have to get out. So these authorities we are not really sure who they are as the police pon it off as saying you need to talk to someone else when we went to ask them. They think that I may need permision from every little town or somthing to have acsess through there area. What I have always learned or noticed while traveling, no matter how stupid or outlandish it may sound I am not in America and even though it is stupid to get permission it is the rules and well it is there rules. So the goal of today is to find out more on this subject and have alterative plans if so needed.

Breakfast is finished. Dani and I had eggs and hashbrowns. Austrians don't really eat hot food for breakfast so it is kind of fun to have this experiance. Thoughs of opening a diner in Austria would be perfect. Bring a little hot food to the mornings of Austria, maybe it is just a thought. I believe we will now go climbing now. I have plans also to go on a run later with a friend. I feel as if everything is going as planned and am on track to start soon but not before a little R&R here with friends.