A Restful Interlude in Ljubljana
The journey from Budapest, Hungary to Ljubljana, Slovenia was the longest, an 8-hour train ride to be precise. Amongst all my 2, 3, and 4-hour train rides, this one seemed daunting. Once aboard, it became even more daunting as I quickly realised that this train didn't have any of the facilities that all my previous trains had, such as a cafeteria to grab lunch. So, I had eight whole hours to endure with just a small bottle of water, a packet of cheese sticks (like pretzels), and a mini block of hazelnut chocolate. Honestly, that didn't matter, because the mountains and valleys that we passed through were breathtaking. The snow-capped mountains in the distance, the light blue rivers meandering, and the lush forests, everything was so ethereal.
After almost fully recovering from my bout of illness, all I wanted was to REST. So that's precisely what I did in Ljubljana. I had plans to hike, paraglide, or take a day trip to Lake Bled, but my body was desperately in need of sleep. So, that's exactly what I did, and Ljubljana was the perfect place for it. A tranquil, little town with an atmosphere similar to what I felt in Bratislava, I strolled and strolled around to take in the sights. After wandering around the old and new towns, I found myself at a restaurant, watching the people around me as the sun set in glorious pinks and purples. I ordered a Long Island Iced Tea, which arrived in a short glass (a bit of a surprise), and raised a toast to myself for coming this far.
I woke up the next day and embarked on an adventure, wandering through the beautifully green streets of Ljubljana. I sat at a café, observing people as the grey clouds dissipated into a blue-sky day. After enjoying a hearty breakfast, I headed over to the Metelkova art area. European art never ceases to fascinate me, with its rich history and diversity. The art in Ljubljana was delightfully eclectic; they used various bicycle metals to create murals, and there was even a large art piece resembling abstract faces.
After nourishing my soul with art, I hopped on the funicular, which transported me to the top of Ljubljana where the castle was perched. I explored for a while, but what truly captivated me was an art gallery they had on display there. Yes, more art, but goodness, this exhibit was powerful. Every piece was politically charged and impactful.
The last item on my Ljubljana agenda was to find a satisfying salad! I adore Europe, but it seems that most countries here have a penchant for potatoes and meat. I struck gold and discovered the most delicious salad restaurant, ordered one to go, and sat down on the Triple Bridge while a man played the accordion in the distance. It was the restful stop I needed on this journey! Next up, Croatia...