I Love Lively Ljubljana!

I ended up sleeping in a little today, which is like 8am for me. I got myself together and headed toward the main square in Ljubljana. I found a narrow pedestrian path that led to the area I was heading and it was quaint. There was graffiti everywhere, but it was nice. All of the tables from the cafes were pushed into the street and people were out enjoying the bright sunny day. It was clam and quiet. I crossed over a bridge, that had these cool-looking dragons statues on them, toward an area that looked busy with people. It was a huge market! There were clothes, flowers, toys, fruit, vegetables, treats, glassware, etc. I walked up and down the isles cruising the market which also flowed into several side-streets. Everything was bright and colorful. I bought a container of strawberries and ate my strawberries as I continued to walk around. The place was full of people going about their day and a few tourists could be pointed out here and there. I started walking up a street and at the far far end you could see a mass of people walking around another square-type area. I decided to walk all the way down and check it out.

Dragon Bridge

Top View of Market

When I arrived I was in a park and there was this long isle that led toward a museum (or a nice house) at the end. Along this long isle were very detailed and realistic artistic paintings. Tons of them! I walked though. At the end of the isle I saw a bunch of walking and hiking trails so I decided to take them. I walked around for quite and while. Spring is near! The flowers were just starting to bloom. I found a nice vantage point and sat on a bench to admire the view. As I was sitting there a large puppy dog comes running up to me from behind. The dog sits behind me and pushes it's nose between my back and my arm. It wanted to cuddle. I pet the cute dog and then it ran to the person sitting on the next bench and did the same thing. Meanwhile, it's master was calling for it to stop pestering everyone. It was cute! I walked back toward the main part of town and when I got to the end of the park I looked at the map to see where I just was. I was in a park called, "Tivoli".

Tivoli

I walked along this road that was between the river and all of these restaurants. It was nice. I found myself in the Old Town area of the city and strolled through. I made my way back to the market where I bought a sandwich and tried a new drink called, "Cockta" which tasted like a Jolt. I decided that I wanted to head up the mountain to the castle. Instead of taking the Funicular I decided to walk it. The walk wasn't long, but it was very very steep. The top of the mountain where the castle sat provided some fantastic views! I enjoyed walking the grounds of the castle and taking photos of the area. When I covered much of the area I headed into the castle and toured around. It was nice. You know, the weather today was awesome! Bright, sunny, cool, and comfortable. So nice!

Ljubljana

Me in Ljubljana

Old Canon

What is it pointing at?

Me!!!

I walked down the mountain and back into the main area of town. I crossed over the triple bridge and walked around some more. One bridge just down from the triple bridge had locks all over it similar to the lock fence in Budapest. I suppose it was the same type of thing. After walking around some more I headed back to the hostel where I napped for a few hours. I was tired! When I awoke I went into the cafe and fooled around on the computer to research stuff for tomorrow. I had a couple cups of coffee to wake me up.

Bridge

When it started to get dark I got myself together to head back into town. I decided that I wanted to check-out this street called, "Metelkova" which Daporkandbill had recommended as a great place for nightlife and disco. Yes, they still use the word "disco" around here! Love it! Daporkandbill said it was an, "alternative" place. Not knowing exactly were this street was I asked the guy at the front desk where I could find it. When I asked the first thing he does is laugh and then says, "Yes, it's an alternative place". Now I'm wondering what "alternative" means around here. Turns out the street was about two blocks away so I walked it. When I got there it looked like the street was empty. However, I could hear loud music. I actually did an entire circle of the block trying to catch a glimpse of this area through the holes and cracks in the walls. It was dark and a little scary. I decided not to go exploring inside. When I came full circle around the block.....like a dog deciding to make up it's mind before it sits. I had changed my mind and decided to check it out. I walked in. It was dark and a little scary. It was like that hippie place in Denmark...No no no it was more like that gang hideout at the zoo in Police Academy 2 with all the broken junk all over the place. Some people were out drinking and socializing, but I didn't fit in....nor did I want too. As I walked out and down the block a bit I stopped these two girls and asked them what the place was. They said it was an "alternative" place for all kinds of music and odd bars. It was, for the most part, safe. They were very nice and said that I needed to go to "Sokol" for dinner for some traditional Slovenian food. They then stopped and said, "No wait, go to Da Bu Da for the best food in town". They gave me directions. They were super nice and very helpful!

I headed across town to Da Bu Da. When I arrived it turns out that it was an Asian Fusion type place......not what I had in mind. I asked the bartender where I could go in my last night in Ljubljana. He said, "Sokol" and then wrote down some directions for me. As I walked to this new restaurant I was totally digging the nightlife in Ljubljana. There was music in the streets playing from the outdoor bars and restaurants and you could hear a mass amount of people socializing. It was a hip place to be! Very lively!!

I arrived at Sokol and got a table. The waiter recommended that I try the reindeer with cranberries. It was delicious! I even had a really good glass of wine with dinner. It was a local wine and it cost a mere 1 Euro. I love how inexpensive this place is!!! After my main course I asked for a dessert menu and again, my waiter recommended a Slovenian favorite. He came back with the dessert, my coffee, and a special little treat. He said it was called, "Slivov Liquor" and that it was like Grapa. It actually translates to "Plum Grapa". He continued to say that it contained Slivovica (Plum Grapa....that they make there) and Medica (Honey Liquor....which I could find in the store). It was magnificent! I love it so much better than Grapa. My buddy Lance would dig it too! It was like Grapa with flavor. Tasted like honey.......instead of that horrible lighter fluid flavor you get with plain Grapa. The glass even came with a plum that had been soaked in the stuff. So freaking good!

My coffee and Slivov Liquor

You know, here is the funny thing about life. They say everything happens for a reason which I can understand. I've been wondering about my travel decisions and where they might lead me. For instance, if I had gone to Poland instead on Austria last week I would have missed out on meeting Sam and Jake in Budapest and would have definitely missed meeting Chloe and Leia in Vienna. It makes you wonder why things play out they way they do. Now, I'm sure I would have met other people along the way.....you just do. Then it makes you wonder what experiences you might have otherwise missed out on, but you can't think that way. You need to embrace what you do experience and cherish it. Here is why I bring this up: If I hadn't missed that train in Zagreb I would have never met Daporkandbill. I would have never taken that circular walk around Metelkova where I wouldn't have met those two girls who recommended BOTH Sokol and Da Bu Da, I would have never walked to Da Bu Da where I wouldn't have been advised to visit Sokol where I would have never tried Slivov Liquor. Hands down the best liquor I have ever had! Now, here is the kicker. I walked by Sokol earlier today while walking around town. The place looked local and had a chalkboard sign that read, "Slovenian Cuisine". I said to myself, "If I don't find another interesting place, I'll comeback and try this one". I forgot. The world did it's magic and made me remember.

Hmmm.....curious! Now, I doubt having that experience at Sokol will have any major lasting effect on me, but it's an odd example of how the world works. Crazy!

I Love Lively Ljubljana!