Thursday, August 30, 2012
EURO-JOURNAL NIGHT 27 (PUNK FESTIVAL - TOLMIN)
After the nine-hour hike I somehow ended up joining Borut at a punk festival.
EURO-JOURNAL DAY 26 (LJUBLJANA - BOVEC)
I caught a bus up to Bovec today, Bovec is a small town in the mountains near the Soča River - a popluar place for rafting, kayaking, and other outdoor activities. I caught a bus there because Jana's brother, Borut, had invited me to do a big hike with him at a mountain called KRN.
On the bus I met an English girl, a teacher, called Krista and we became friends over the bus ride. On arriving in Bovec we searched for campsites together. We found a lovely one by the river but it was too far from town for me as I have an early rise tomorrow. So Krista stayed there. I hung out for a while as the river was lovely and I needed a break from carrying my stuff.
In the evening we walked the thirty minutes back to town and I got set up at the campsite there. Then we had some dinner and got a little drunk. Probably not the best idea considering I have an early rise and long hike tomorrow, but it was fun.
On the bus I met an English girl, a teacher, called Krista and we became friends over the bus ride. On arriving in Bovec we searched for campsites together. We found a lovely one by the river but it was too far from town for me as I have an early rise tomorrow. So Krista stayed there. I hung out for a while as the river was lovely and I needed a break from carrying my stuff.
In the evening we walked the thirty minutes back to town and I got set up at the campsite there. Then we had some dinner and got a little drunk. Probably not the best idea considering I have an early rise and long hike tomorrow, but it was fun.
The river.
Krista and me.
Pretty Bovec.
EURO-JOURNAL DAY 25 (LJUBLJANA)
Pretty chilled day today. Got up early with Jana and had a healthy breakfast - muesli with nuts, seeds, dried fruit and yoghurt. I'm really trying to stay healthy and not lose weight on this trip. So far it seems to be working out relatively well. I visited Jana's favourite cafe, Bi Ko Fe, which has also become my favourite. Did some writing there and caught up on Facebook. I had planned to visit the castle up on the hill, but it started pouring around late morning and continued in the afternoon. I was perfectly content however to just stay in the cafe. Actually one of the things I had planned and hoped for most on this trip was spending lots of time in cafes, reading, writing, thinking and watching the people go by. However, I often feel guilty when I do because part of me feels I need to be out seeing things and "making the most" of these wonderful new places. So today's rain washed away the guilt and let me enjoy doing nothing.
EURO-JOURNAL DAY 24 (JULIAN ALPS)
We caught a 6am bus to Vrsic and started hiking about 9. Jana had planned a route and had been to this mountain range, the Julian Alps, many times. We hiked most of the day and caught a bus back just after 7. Another perfect day in Slovenia. Great weather, friendly hikers, amazing views.
EURO-JOURNAL DAY 23 (LJUBLJANA)
Today was awesome! I felt much better physically and mentally despite last night's boozing. Got up early and Jana gave me more detailed directions to the mountain before she went to work. I geared up, ate a healthy vegatarian breakfast and caught the bus out to the mountain. It was a short, but steep hike up the the church at the summit. Perfect weather - sunny and dry. Over breakfast I had googled "how to be a better person" and read a few articles about this. So I had plenty to keep my mind busy on the hike up through the forest. I really want to be a better person and one of the suggestions I found is to list the people you admire and respect. Then find the qualities int those people that you want to have and then and start adding them into your life/self one by one. Sounds pretty simple, right? I'm sure it's not, but I'll try.
The views from the top of the mountain were nice, but not spectacular as it was only 600 metres. Ljubljana doesn't have many sky scrapers. It's not just because of the low population, about 2 million, but also because the ground here is very wet. Ive been told that if you dig down just a few meters you can find water. So there are limitations on the size/weight of buildings that can be constructed here.
There was a small basic restaurant on the summit where I bought some soup and sat outside to eat it and think more about becoming a better person. The lady that served the soup gave me a discount which was nice since I didn't even ask - I just showed surprise at the 5 euro price on the vegetarian soup. She said it's because they use some special organic vegetable from nearby mountains. Anyway, she only charged me 3.50 - the same price as the non-vegetarian soups and stews that I was hungrily considering. Oh, I failed to mention that I'm going veggy for a few days while spending time with Jana. Why not?
I then lay in the sun for a while as there are lots of sun-loungers up there for anyone to use. There were many people coming and going - dog-walkers, hikers, runners, people hiking with babies, and women walking together. I felt really happy and comfortable up there and it's definitely somewhere I would hike to regularly for lunch and a nice view if I lived nearby.
I caught the bus home, did some picnic shopping with Jana for tomorrow's hike. Then we visited her brother and his wife and their new baby. They are a real cool couple. He seems big into his hiking, rock-climbing and alternative music festivals. His wife also seems really cool and sociable. They were very welcoming and introduced me to western and eastern Slovenian wines. Did you know Slovenia made wine? I didn't.
Jana's brother, Borut, was a fountain of information about his country and all things hiking related so it was great to pick his brain. The more Europeans I meet on this trip, the more I envy their lifestyle. These people really seem to know how to enjoy life. From coffee and wine to festivals and travel, none of them seem to be caught up in the rat race like in other places. Wow, Europe.
The views from the top of the mountain were nice, but not spectacular as it was only 600 metres. Ljubljana doesn't have many sky scrapers. It's not just because of the low population, about 2 million, but also because the ground here is very wet. Ive been told that if you dig down just a few meters you can find water. So there are limitations on the size/weight of buildings that can be constructed here.
There was a small basic restaurant on the summit where I bought some soup and sat outside to eat it and think more about becoming a better person. The lady that served the soup gave me a discount which was nice since I didn't even ask - I just showed surprise at the 5 euro price on the vegetarian soup. She said it's because they use some special organic vegetable from nearby mountains. Anyway, she only charged me 3.50 - the same price as the non-vegetarian soups and stews that I was hungrily considering. Oh, I failed to mention that I'm going veggy for a few days while spending time with Jana. Why not?
I then lay in the sun for a while as there are lots of sun-loungers up there for anyone to use. There were many people coming and going - dog-walkers, hikers, runners, people hiking with babies, and women walking together. I felt really happy and comfortable up there and it's definitely somewhere I would hike to regularly for lunch and a nice view if I lived nearby.
I caught the bus home, did some picnic shopping with Jana for tomorrow's hike. Then we visited her brother and his wife and their new baby. They are a real cool couple. He seems big into his hiking, rock-climbing and alternative music festivals. His wife also seems really cool and sociable. They were very welcoming and introduced me to western and eastern Slovenian wines. Did you know Slovenia made wine? I didn't.
Jana's brother, Borut, was a fountain of information about his country and all things hiking related so it was great to pick his brain. The more Europeans I meet on this trip, the more I envy their lifestyle. These people really seem to know how to enjoy life. From coffee and wine to festivals and travel, none of them seem to be caught up in the rat race like in other places. Wow, Europe.
View from top.
EURO-JOURNAL DAY 22 (LJUBLJANA)
Felt crappy today - sore throat and cold sore on my lip, and no energy. Bummed around Jana's in the morning and tried to go hiking in the afternoon, but the buses were too confusing so I went to a cafe instead.
Jana cooked a vegetarian curry (she's vegetarian) for dinner and I felt much better after a nap and some good food. We just chilled tonight sharing our favourite youtube music videos and talking over lots of different beers. Jana showed me lot's of cool Icelandic videos. it looks like an amazing country.
Jana cooked a vegetarian curry (she's vegetarian) for dinner and I felt much better after a nap and some good food. We just chilled tonight sharing our favourite youtube music videos and talking over lots of different beers. Jana showed me lot's of cool Icelandic videos. it looks like an amazing country.
The best cure for feeling crappy - various beers.
EURO-JOURNAL DAY 21 (INNSBRUCK - LJUBLJANA)
Caught a train from Innsbruck to Slovenia. I used my East Europe Rail Pass. It cost 150 euros, allows unlimited travel on any 5 days within a month in the countries of Austria, Slovakia, Hungary, Poland and Czech. Seems like a good deal, but it was hard to find since it's not so popular. Even the guy in the Innsbruck train station didn't know what it was. But he was very helpful and finally made me one. It doesn't include Slovenia, but I got all the way there anyway without paying extra - just what I was hoping for.
I expected to have lots of time on the six hour journey for reading, writing and thinking. But I got sitting with a Dutch girl and an American girl. They were both nice and the young American girl was an absolute fountain of information about everything European, and perhaps everything in general. She sat in her seat cross-legged, looking very at ease and helped the Dutch girl and I get seats because we were confused about the reservation system. Then she talked and talked and we listened and listened. An absolutely fascinating person who seems so worldly and wise. The Dutch girl and I were both shocked to later find out she was only 16 years old!
When I arrived in Slovenia, Jana met me at the station. Jana is a couchsurfer who stayed with me in Seoul. She is also the reason I came to this country. I knew nothing about Slovenia previously which shocked Jana and motivated her to motivate me to visit. She's an avid hiker and promised beautiful mountains and long hikes. So here I am.
We spent tonight walking around the capital city, Ljubljana, which is lovely, small, artistic. We had a vegetarian dinner and then hung out with some of Jana's friends. Already I love this place. And there is graffiti everywhere, but nice graffiti.
I expected to have lots of time on the six hour journey for reading, writing and thinking. But I got sitting with a Dutch girl and an American girl. They were both nice and the young American girl was an absolute fountain of information about everything European, and perhaps everything in general. She sat in her seat cross-legged, looking very at ease and helped the Dutch girl and I get seats because we were confused about the reservation system. Then she talked and talked and we listened and listened. An absolutely fascinating person who seems so worldly and wise. The Dutch girl and I were both shocked to later find out she was only 16 years old!
When I arrived in Slovenia, Jana met me at the station. Jana is a couchsurfer who stayed with me in Seoul. She is also the reason I came to this country. I knew nothing about Slovenia previously which shocked Jana and motivated her to motivate me to visit. She's an avid hiker and promised beautiful mountains and long hikes. So here I am.
We spent tonight walking around the capital city, Ljubljana, which is lovely, small, artistic. We had a vegetarian dinner and then hung out with some of Jana's friends. Already I love this place. And there is graffiti everywhere, but nice graffiti.
Ljubljana by night.
Friday, August 24, 2012
EURO-JOURNAL DAY 20 (INNSBRUCK)
Woke up this morning feeling fantastic. Totally the opposite of yesterday when I was exhausted and feeling like going home. Amazing what a good night's sleep can do. And I'm sure being back at DD's where I feel totally comfortable was part of it. Had a healthy porridge breakfast with vitamins and ginseng and caught the bus into Innsbruck for some cafe culture and writing.
Had a pretty chilled day in Innsbruck. Enjoyed the vibe, the buskers and mimes and the music in the square. Feeling so positive. I wish I could be up like this all the time. And I've been thinking that I need to think more about what to do with my future. Hopefully not teaching and hopefully something that gives me enough time off to travel. But lately I've been putting a horrible amount of pressure on myself to choose the "perfect career". And I've been doing so without even gathering information about what's available to me. Same old story - older, but not wiser.
On a side-note, Austrians are awesome. They are so kind, friendly and generous. Today a young guy running a sandwich shop wanted to give me my second sandwich for free. Just because we chatted for five minutes. I refused because it's his new business, but I felt very flattered and happy.
Had a pretty chilled day in Innsbruck. Enjoyed the vibe, the buskers and mimes and the music in the square. Feeling so positive. I wish I could be up like this all the time. And I've been thinking that I need to think more about what to do with my future. Hopefully not teaching and hopefully something that gives me enough time off to travel. But lately I've been putting a horrible amount of pressure on myself to choose the "perfect career". And I've been doing so without even gathering information about what's available to me. Same old story - older, but not wiser.
On a side-note, Austrians are awesome. They are so kind, friendly and generous. Today a young guy running a sandwich shop wanted to give me my second sandwich for free. Just because we chatted for five minutes. I refused because it's his new business, but I felt very flattered and happy.
Mimes in Innsbruck.
EURO-JOURNAL DAY 19 (BACK TO AUSTRIA)
A crappy day. My first time on this trip when I questioned traveling and thought about going home. I only slept a few hours and had a very early rise as Sungshin was going to the airport for a holiday in Spain. I caught a ride to Ausberg station, dozed on the way to Munich and then another couple of hours by train back to Innsbruck. I slept some, but mostly listened to music and felt like I didn't know what the hell I was doing with my life.
Getting back into Innsbruck felt great. Out of the countryside and back to somewhere that I knew and somewhere that I knew people. After lunch I caught a bus to Hall and back to DD's. He was chilling in the sunny garden with a beer and his wife. Great to see them and I felt the feeling was mutual, so that really picked me up. DD and I caught up over beers in the garden then helped his dad take grass and hedge cuttings to the dump.
More beers in the evening and DD make some typical Austrian dishes for dinner. Was in bed before 11.
Getting back into Innsbruck felt great. Out of the countryside and back to somewhere that I knew and somewhere that I knew people. After lunch I caught a bus to Hall and back to DD's. He was chilling in the sunny garden with a beer and his wife. Great to see them and I felt the feeling was mutual, so that really picked me up. DD and I caught up over beers in the garden then helped his dad take grass and hedge cuttings to the dump.
More beers in the evening and DD make some typical Austrian dishes for dinner. Was in bed before 11.
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