I’m Spoiled in Slovenia
Slovenia is a country that is rich in history, culture, and religion. It’s weird to think that I am behind the “iron curtain”, but from what I have seen, Slovenia is absolutely spectacular. We’ve seen a couple of the major cities in Slovenia so far. Ptuj is the oldest city in Slovenia where as Maribor is more of a modern city. Slovenians are very proud that they have retained their language throughout all the years of being attached to Yugoslavia. Just giving an honest effort at speaking the language makes people smile. Maybe it’s because they know that I am American and sound like a dumb-ass when speaking. 
My mornings are spent drinking coffee (kavo) with Boža (Gregor’s mother) and Gregor. To go along with the coffee, Boža also gives me a drink of Pelinkovec which is a liqueur that tastes kind of like Jägermeister. We spend our evenings sitting outside drinking coffee & beer and just sharing in some laughs. I also have been sampling a lot of Slovenian wines that Sergej has purchased for me. The refošk has to be one of my favorites. Slovenian wines are wonderful. They’re smooth and have lots of flavor. I’ve been teaching Gregor, Sergej (Gregor’s brother), Simona (Sergej’s girlfriend), and Danilo (Gregor’s father) how to throw the American football. Boža is one hell of a cook. In fact, she is going to teach me a couple of Slovenian dishes so I can make them in the United States. My time in Slovenia so far has been wonderful. I am being spoiled every single day. It’s going to be hard to come home after this trip. The weather over here has been hot. Not hot to most peoples standards, but it’s been about 80 - 85 degrees.
When doing some research, it is said that Slovenia is about 95% Catholic. I can see why that is. You won’t find a single church for any other denomination other than Catholic. The cities have these huge churches, almost cathedrals, with gold on the ceilings and other artifacts. One of the churches, Ptujska Gora, has a huge mural of the Virgin Mary which is located behind the altar. In this mural, Mary is portrayed as the savior to the poor. Ptujska Gora sits on top of this hill so the church can be seen from miles away. In all the little villages, you will find these tiny chapels that are large enough for maybe two people.
This weekend will be a very busy weekend for us. We are going to drive throughout most of Slovenia and visit the coast. We’ll probably stay at some bed & breakfast somewhere near the coast. Next week we plan to visit Venice and Verona, Italy. We’ll probably also take some time to go check out Croatia and Hungary.
I’m really jealous. I’m glad you’re having fun, but I wish I was checking out Europe. Not fair.
duuuuuuuuuddddderrrrrrrr!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! sounds like you are really having a lot of fun over there. be sure to bring home a bottle of your favorite wine from there for all of us to try. not too sure bout the jager in coffee, but as long as you are starting early, i guess it will do. take care man… all is well at the pad.
Venice, sinking under weight so much history under it’s lavendar skies. This is the city all artists and romantics long to see. This is the city where Ricard Wagner finished my favorite opera, Tristan and Isolde. It is said, and his wife wrote down everything he did and said during this period, that he was rowed out on the canal to ‘greet the sunset’ each night while he was writing it.
Since I know that deep down you are a soft and incurable romantic…why not be rowed out to greet the sunset in this way.
So many paintings..so little time. My advice: quit your job and live there fot at least a year or until the damp does not bother you anymore.