Koko Kusarece Part 2 Sun, 21 Jan 2007
No luck as of yet getting the parrot to spout that phrase but this week I shall double my efforts. I figure the parrot should be multilingual by the end of my stay. After our burek soup and velika riba (big fish in slovenian) from behind experiences ourselves and Ana meandered back to the small and welcoming capital, Ljubliana. I say meandered because though the distance was short from her house, we took a day to get there. On the way we stopped to take a gander at the famed local river. The entire duck population of Western Slovenia was out and Andy couldn't get enough saucy pictures of 'em. I never knew the chap had such a penchant for the billed creatures but after this day I shall never wonder again. You never know where some fellows will get their kicks. The river itself was stunning(see pictures on Lovable Quirks). The color of the water matching that of Plitvice in Croatia. Unlike Plitvice it is possible here to take a dip wearing the necessary mentionables and the water beckons one to do just that. I look forward to returning when the trees are arrayed in their mid year splendor.
After freezing our a's off for a few hours (that being the only draw back of the outing) while Andy did his "A duck's life" photoshoot, we continued our journey to the capital and Ana's university therein. A communal effort at the dorm resulted in dinner for the three of us followed by a marvelous chit-chat with some of the other students. Anita (the other Slovenian I had met in Istanbul) and a friend of hers joined the occasion also. Normally to encourage conversation among a group of the size we ended up with, copious amounts of alcohol must be consumed but not so in this case. At the beginning it was of course necessary to work through the awkwardness of surrounding strangers but after some time group conversation happened freely. I am still impressed that we sat for some hours talking about society and about education. When it was over I asked myself if I had ever had that group experience. I still cannot recall a time. I have in the past been so frustrated by attempts to talk in groups or with individuals about subjects that affect our lives so will remember this experience with hope that it can occur.
We stayed that night in the hostel I have previously pictured. It is a converted prison with cell like rooms and oddly positioned beds. Certainly an experience when compared with the drab motifs of others where I have stayed. Our final morning in Slovenia we were back at the dorms in crepe making heaven with further conversation accessiories. In terms that don't border the ridiculous I mean to say that we ate crepes at Ana's dorm and chatted the majority of the afternoon away. The time then came for our lamentful goodbyes before we headed sausage side at top speed. The journey to Vienna was of a greater distance than anticipated so it is good we vamoosed when we did. Up now on Lovable Quirks are pictures from Bamberg, our overnight stop on the way to Koln, and our last toursitic venture to the cathedral of Koln. Andy returned to London yesterday afternoon. He'll be in London until tomorrow before returning to everyone's favorite city in Arizona. I had to say yet another goodbye but am encouraged that I myself am heading there in just over a month God willing.