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| Dragon Bridge in Ljubljana |
Friday 24th April 2015
From laid-back
Lake Bled to the swarming streets of Slovenia's capital, Jack and I had arrived in Ljubljana (pronounced loo-blee-aa-nah).
The sudden surge of crowds and traffic was a striking contrast, as the peaceful calm we’d just left behind felt like a distant memory. Sightseeing could wait until morning; for now, I only needed food and a place to crash. It’s hard to form any real impression of a new place right after stepping off a train, especially at night, when the first things you see are often dreary train stations and puzzling ads in a foreign language. So Jack and I made a quick escape from the foreign chaos and headed straight to
Tivoli Hostel, our home for the night.
Reaching the hostel was a relief. My eyes went straight to a sign advertising "Free Breakfast" and then to the 'beer fridge' by the reception—hello, essentials!
Our room was adorable and comfortable, a private little nook we’d splurged on as a break from shared dorms. Sure, we’d only been on the road for ten days, but sometimes you just want a quiet night alone with the one you love. Before diving into bed, though, there was one last priority: food! We set off toward the city centre, eager to see what Ljubljana had to offer.
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| Looking beyond the Tripple Bridge, Ljubljana |
Saturday 25th April 2015
Today was the first day Jack and I would spend apart since we began our travels. I felt anxious but excited about going solo in a foreign country, even if it was just for the day.
I spent the day wandering through the markets, soaking up the lively performances of local musicians and buskers. I chatted with the locals as they shared stories about their handmade produce and crafts, sampling all the free food I could find.
As I roamed through the car-free streets of the Old Town, I decided to follow the signs leading to Ljubljana Castle. and after a long, steep climb up a hill, I found myself taking in the stunning view of the city and the rich Slovenian culture. I didn’t enter the castle since it was a bit pricey for my budget, but I had a fantastic view of it from where I stood.
The rest of the afternoon was spent discovering hidden delights that seemed to be known only to the locals. I paused occasionally, lost in thought, reflecting on the memories I had created during this backpacking trip so far.
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| Cobbled streets of Ljubljana Old Town |
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| Walking up to Ljubljana Castle |
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| A beautifully dressed Slovenian lady who made her own jewellery |
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| Admiring handmade gifts in Ljubljana |
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| Biscuits or Christmas decorations? Souvenirs in Ljubljana |
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| Spying on the locals, Ljubljana City Centre |
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| Musicians on every corner in Ljubljana Old Town |
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| Meaningful graffiti in Ljubljana |
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| Coffee and breakfast along the river, Ljubljana |
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| Jack admiring the castle above and beyond, Ljubljana Castle |
As the sun set and my day of exploring drew to a close, Jack and I met up to enjoy cocktail hour and along the way, we stumbled upon a local musician playing the violin. We sat on the curb, captivated by the beautiful melodies, and I noticed that the crowd was silent, completely entranced. No one was on their phones, and no pictures were being taken; it was refreshing to be surrounded by such a relaxing atmosphere, free from technology. It felt as if we had travelled back to the 1920s, reminiscent of Midnight in Paris. I cherished every second of that moment, feeling alive and connected to everyone and everything around me.
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