Last days in Slovenia

So I've been home for awhile and been meaning to update this.

The last days in Ljubljana were great. Pretty sure I already wrote about my adventure to the caves. Always seems stressful at the time, but always makes for a great story later. Plus nothing seems to difficult when you get home if you've managed to navigate your way through foreign countries and have a few near disasters.

But, after that adventure, myself and my new British friend Scott went to grab dinner and chatted for awhile about jobs, life, travels, education, universal healthcare, and more. It's always interesting to get a non-American perspective on what's going on at home and abroad.

We stayed out probably too late considering I had to be up at about 4 a.m. to catch the bus to the airport. While waiting for the bus I met a great Slovenian girl and we chatted the whole way there. Once we got checked in, we got some coffee and chatted some more since our flights left at the same time. Thankfully, the airline gave me my boarding pass for my connection in Paris, as there was no way I would have made it otherwise.

Landed in Paris on time, but that airport is enormous and had to be in an entirely different terminal for the flight to Atlanta. Catching the shuttle bus turned out to be an adventure in itself. It took ages since we drove the entire length of the airport and the shuttle was so packed that we were falling all over each other on every turn. Plus everyone was confused as to which terminal we were going to and in what order and it was a mess. But it's nothing like chaos in an airport to make friends with the strangers all around you.

Once I made it to the right terminal, I had to go through security, although at first, they tried to send me through the wrong line. Then I raced to the next shuttle to get to the right gate area and went through security there. It didn't take long, but I was cutting it very, very close.

I ran the entire length of the terminal and was so rushed that I had confused the gate number and went all the way to the end where they were boarding for New York. A bit frantic I stopped to look at my ticket in time to hear the final boarding call for my gate a few feet behind me. Ran some more and made it on the flight. Once I caught my breath, I realized some people were further behind me and so the flight left about 15 or 20 minutes late. All that running for nothing, but good exercise I guess. Helped me sleep a little on the flight back, which was longer than the flight over...about 9 hours. It seemed to take ages.

Back in Atlanta I had more trouble getting out of the airport since you have to check and recheck your bags just to get out. That was not the case the last time I flew international, so I was confused and frustrated. Finding the shuttle to my parking lot was even more of a mess, so much wasted time. Although might have been in part my lack of familiarity with anything outside the ATL airport.

Several hours later, after a solid 20+ hours of traveling I was back in Montgomery and upended my bag for loads of laundry, a hot shower and drinks with friends to beat the jet lag.

Only question now is where to go next?

Slovenia pictures...

Predjama Grad, which means castle. And jama means cave. This is the one I part walked, part got a lift up the mountain and then walked the full 10 km back down to Postojna. Oh what a day. 

Some pictures

From Paris, inside the Notre Dame cathedral.

Last day shenanigans

Only I can miss my train stop on the last day of my trip, leading to near disaster.

I hopped the train to Divaca yesterday morning, to visit the Skocan caves. Only, when we stopped at Divaca, I didnt realize we were there and got trapped on the train until the next stop, some small town about 10 km away. 

The guy at the train station there looked at me as if I was mad when I started getting upset that there wasnt another train back to Divaca for hours, no buses and no taxis. So, I started walking.

At a gas station, I asked the clerk and she was sympathetic to my problem, but no help. I asked the cops outside who said, Divaca, that way. But, no ride. A motorcyclist talking to them said if I had a helmet, hed take me. Why on earth would I be traveling with a motorcycle helmet?

So with little more than ˝Divaca that way˝ I started walking. I had walked about 6 km in an hour, which is a good clip, but then took a turn to early and got behind. I was getting very frustrated at this point, because I needed to catch the 1 p.m. cave tour to make my 3:30 train back. It was about 12:45 and I was just a few kilometers away, but was not going to make it. 

I asked a very nice lady who was working in her yard which way to go and she spoke no English, but was very helpful. She indidcated that I needed to hurry to make it. As I rushed off, she came back shouting in Slovene and her son, who lives across the street, came out to call me back. Her husband would take me the last few kilometers. 

But first, the son showed me this enormous stone pit where they kept ice, I think he said, and sold it to Egypt in the summer. But, I was having a hard time understanding his limited English and what he was showing me.

The father spoke the best English of them all, shook my hand and started chatting. He was such a nice man and when he dropped me at the cave, he said ˝If you have any trouble, you come back. If I not there, my son across the street, he will help.˝ 

I wanted to hug him, but wasnt sure the protocol on hugging here and was in a rush to catch the tour, but his help was much appreciated.

When I travel I notice that kind of kindness more. Maybe it does exist at home, but when youre roaming the Slovenian countryside alone and a bit distressed, and someone offers to help expecting nothing in return, its a simple and genuine kindness that has no equal. That might be my favorite part of traveling. The castles, churches, sights are all wonderful, but being reminded that sometimes it all comes down to the kindness of strangers is a good lesson and creates moments I dont quickly forget.

After the tour, there was a shuttle bus to get me back to the train station, only I missed it, because the tour went long. So, I was walking. Again. Back to Divaca. With just about 8 minutes and about a kilometer or two to go, I found myself saying ˝You can do this. Please make my train.˝ 

It was hot and I was exhausted having half run, half walk, the way there earlier and then having walked entirely through the cave, which was worth the trouble at least.

Then a car full of travelers stopped to ask me if I knew where the airport was. I had no idea. They started to drive off but then waited for me to catch up and offered me a ride the rest of the way.

When I got to the train station, I had a whopping five minutes to spare and I found myself bored just sitting there, despite being exhausted. On the correct train, I was finally able to sit and enjoy the view, although I dozed through some of it, unable to keep my eyes open.

The caves are a UNESCO heritage site and Ill add more detail later, but were amazing. Apparently, the only other cave in the world thats bigger is Mammouth Caves in the U.S. There were lots of kids and people who couldnt seem to stay quiet during the tour so that was frustrating and Ill have to look up some of the details, but just to walk through them and again be amazed by nature was a good way to wrap up the trip.

Back at the hostel I ran into Scott, my new pal from England, and we decided on dinner. But he wasnt hungry yet and I needed to just sit still for a bit. So I cleaned up some and made a dent in my reading and eventually, we went off for pizza at my favorite place across the river and then a beer at a nice pub a little further back. 

All in all, a great last day in Slovenia.

In just a minute, Im headed to the bus station to catch the early bus to the airport and will be homeward bound.

Heres to hoping I make my connection in Paris!

Last days in Slovenia...

Yesterday I had grand plans of visiting the oldest monastary in the country...with no luck. Because on Saturday, there wasnt another train to that tiny town until 5 p.m. and the buses were hit or miss. As much as I wanted to see the monastary, I also didnt want to get stuck in that town.

Instead, wandered around looking for gifts and souvenirs...still no luck...sorry. Jenn, from Washington state, and I went for tea at a cute cafe and then found another one that was in our guide book and tried some Slovenian wine. White of course, since red makes me sick. Its was pretty good, although it made me very sleepy and I was struggling to keep my eyes open...at 6 p.m. 

But, a new guy just got here, from Brighton, England. We chatted for awhile, nice guy. Hes also thinking of places for my next trip. Hes been to 15 countries in the last few years, putting my seven to shame. Guess I better get hopping.

Finally ate something that wasnt pizza or bread of some sort for dinner last night, had a chicken wrap from a panini place on the other side of the river. And ice cream of course. Althuogh its not nearly as good here as it was in Bled or Maribor.

But, now, on my last day here, Im headed out for coffee and then to catch the train to Divica for the Skocan caves. Thats the plan anyway! Met some Kiwis last night and theyre going too, hopefully at the same time I am.

Will tell you about the caves tonight and then see you all tomorrow!

What says Slovenia...

The way an alpaca sweater says Peru? Or a handpainted boomerang says Australia?

I have no idea, and its causing great frustration in my search for souvenirs and gifts to bring home. 

That said, dont be surprised if I bring nothing home, sorry guys. Nothing is really catching my eye, or is worth the euros, or the hassle of carting it home -- without breaking it.

Theres a market going on that Ive wandered through quite a few times today arleady and might again since my plan to visit the monastary today was foiled, since its in a small town that gets just one train late this afternoon.

Maybe Ill find something at the flea market tomorrow, or at the caves if I can sort out the train/bus schedule for that.

Otherwise, Im left with sort of cheesy crafts or lots of things that were made in Nepal, India, or China. Just like everything at home.

But, Im still working on it. 

Where to next?

I know, I know, this trip isnt even over and Im already thinking about what comes next. 

But so many countries...

Top contenders, geopolitical situations notwithstanding of course:

Nepal and Tibet

Romania

Russia

Africa (working on where in particular)

Iceland

Argentina

Turkey

Croatia

Any other ideas? I told the Aussie about my goal of one country a year and he said hed try to think of a good one for me. Hes got a year off and is touring all of Europe. Im a little jealous.