04) FAQ - frequently asked questions
- O Peregrino
- Jun 4, 2024
- 6 min read
Here we answer quick questions about our lifestyle: "What world do we come from? What world are we coming to? What we pretend (try) to do? What kind of people are we? Where we are? Why Friedrichhafen?"
What world do we come from?
Meet João "Jokes" da Silva, a quintessential Brazilian with a heart as warm as the Rio sun and a wit as sharp as a samba dancer's moves. João is the kind of guy who could talk the ear off a statue and make it laugh in the process. He's got the charm of a carnival parade, the culinary skills of a street food vendor, and the laid-back attitude of someone who truly believes that "mañana" means "next year."
João's daily routine is a masterclass in multitasking—he can grill a perfect churrasco while debating the finer points of football (or as he insists, "futebol") and mixing a caipirinha with the precision of a Swiss watchmaker. He's the life of the party and the cure for the hangover, always ready with a joke that's just the right blend of cheeky and clever. His friends say he has the soul of a poet, but the delivery of a stand-up comedian.
With a laugh that can be heard from the Amazon to the Andes, João navigates life with a combination of laid-back ease and infectious enthusiasm. Whether he's dancing samba at a street festival, passionately arguing about the best way to prepare feijoada, or simply lounging in a hammock with a mischievous grin, João "Jokes" da Silva is living proof that life is a carnival, and he's got a VIP pass.
What world are we coming to?
Meet Hans, the quintessential German. He's a man of precision and efficiency, who wears lederhosen with the same seriousness that he tackles tax returns. His alarm clock is set for 5:30 AM, not because he needs to be up that early, but because he enjoys having an extra half hour to contemplate the superiority of German engineering.
Hans is punctual to a fault. If a train is scheduled to arrive at 8:07, he’ll be on the platform at 8:06, tapping his foot with a mixture of impatience and mild indignation. If you’re late, he’ll inform you of exactly how many minutes and seconds you’ve deviated from the agreed-upon time, complete with a stern look that could curdle milk.
In social settings, Hans is the life of the party – if your idea of a party involves meticulously organized spreadsheets and discussions about the merits of renewable energy. His jokes often revolve around efficiency. He laughs heartily, even if no one else does.
Hans's hobbies include sorting his recycling, perfecting his sauerkraut recipe, and giving unsolicited advice on the optimal way to pack a suitcase. He has a deep-seated love for rules and regulations, and has been known to read instruction manuals for fun. Once, he corrected a police officer on the specifics of a traffic law – and the officer thanked him.
Despite his seriousness, Hans has a heart of gold. He’ll always lend a hand, as long as it’s done the right way – his way. And if you ever need to borrow a pen, Hans will provide one, complete with a detailed usage tutorial and a reminder to return it exactly as found. Because in Hans's world, there's a place for everything, and everything is in its place – ideally labeled and alphabetized.
What we pretend (try) to do?
Travel photography is like trying to capture a majestic sunset while swatting away mosquitoes and balancing on one foot on a wobbly rock. You’ve got the perfect shot framed, but then a local bird decides to photobomb, leaving you with a picture of its feathered behind.
Imagine navigating through a bustling market, camera in hand, trying to snap the vibrant chaos. You’re crouched down to get an artsy angle when a curious goat mistakes your lens for a snack. Suddenly, your focus shifts from capturing the essence of the market to rescuing your camera from a determined herbivore.
Scaling a scenic mountain for that breathtaking panorama? Great idea, until you realize halfway up that your fitness level peaked in high school gym class. By the time you reach the top, you’re too winded to hold the camera steady, resulting in a series of blurry shots that could either be an impressionist masterpiece or just, well, blurry.
And then there are the selfies. You find a picturesque spot, set the timer, and race into position, only to trip over a rogue root and land face-first into the frame. The resulting photo is a masterpiece of accidental slapstick, featuring your surprised expression mid-fall.
Every click of the shutter is a gamble: will it be a frame-worthy gem or a testament to your clumsiness? Either way, travel photography ensures you come home with not just beautiful images, but plenty of hilarious stories.
What kind of people are we?
A travel photographer is like a highly caffeinated chameleon with a camera. They can be found precariously perched on the edge of cliffs, lying flat on their stomachs in the middle of bustling streets, or balancing on one leg like a flamingo to get that "perfect shot." Their luggage isn't packed with clothes; it's filled with lenses, tripods, and an endless supply of memory cards. They speak in shutter speeds and apertures, and their Instagram feed is a tantalizing buffet of sunsets, street food, and strangers' smiles.
Always on the move, they develop superhuman abilities to navigate airports half-asleep, barter in multiple languages, and somehow manage to look semi-decent after a 15-hour bus ride next to a chicken. They’re like the MacGyver of travel, fashioning makeshift tripods from rocks and balancing cameras on anything stable (and sometimes not-so-stable).
Their natural habitat includes any location with "free Wi-Fi" and "good lighting," and they can often be spotted making odd noises to get a perfect reaction from a child or animal. They’ll tell you stories of how they almost got arrested in Morocco, slept under the stars in Patagonia, and once bribed a guard in India—all in pursuit of the elusive "authentic moment."
In summary, a travel photographer is an adventurous soul with a dash of insanity, a keen eye for beauty, and an uncanny ability to find the nearest coffee shop no matter where they are in the world.
Where we are ?
We are now in Friedrichshafen. But first, how do you pronounce Friedrichshafen correctly? Two attempts: the first in English, the second in Portuguese and finally the correct pronunciation in German.
Friedrichshafen, nestled on the serene shores of Lake Constance, is a charming town where Germany decided to show off its flair for blending natural beauty with a dash of whimsy. Imagine a place where you can start your day with a tranquil stroll along the promenade, admiring the stunning lake views, and end it by contemplating how this quaint town became the unlikely birthplace of the Zeppelin airship. Yes, that's right - Friedrichshafen is the home of those giant flying cigars that once ruled the skies!
In Friedrichshafen, you'll find a quirky mix of activities to keep you entertained. You can visit the Zeppelin Museum, where you'll learn about Count Ferdinand von Zeppelin's big dreams of floating majestically above the earth - basically the 1900s equivalent of flexing your private jet on Instagram. As you wander through the exhibits, you might find yourself wondering if the Count was just a bit too obsessed with large, helium-filled objects.
After you've had your fill of airship lore, take a leisurely bike ride along the lake. You might just end up in one of the many picturesque vineyards, where you can sip on local wines while pretending to be far more sophisticated than you actually are. The vineyards here are so scenic that even the grapes probably have Instagram accounts.
For those who enjoy a bit of historical irony, Friedrichshafen also offers the Dornier Museum, showcasing the town’s contribution to aviation. It's as if the residents couldn't decide whether they wanted to be more famous for floating or flying, so they went ahead and became famous for both.
And let's not forget the town’s thermal baths. Nothing screams "holiday relaxation" quite like soaking in warm, mineral-rich waters while contemplating the fact that you're essentially taking a bath in a giant, luxurious lake-adjacent tub. Plus, it’s a great way to unwind after a long day of pretending to be interested in zeppelins and aviation history.
In short, Friedrichshafen is a delightful mix of natural beauty, quirky history, and a touch of the unexpected. It's the kind of place where you can enjoy a peaceful lakeside picnic one moment and then find yourself pondering the mechanics of early 20th-century air travel the next. And if that doesn't tickle your fancy, well, at least the wine is good!
Why Friedrichshafen?
First: Jürgen was born in Friedrichshafen; Second: his Mom still live there with her nine decades of life. Third: Friedrichshafen is a good starting point to travel to Switzerland (14 km) and to Austria (more or less 25 km). Enough talking (writing) now let’s get started!
Friedrichshafen: Official Page (German, English, French & Italian)
Watch the video in full screen here!
Published: 07/16/2024
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