Thanks for waiting for this post. I’ve been super busy here in Skofja Loka. I’ve been in Skofja Loka mostly, but still traveling some to Albania, Hungary, Czech, Germany, Montenegro and Croatia. Most of these countries are within the same distances as my entire home state of Oregon.
SLOVENIA IS CENTERED IN THE OREGON MAP, THAT ALSO INCLUDES 7 MORE COUNTRIES
Slovenian language is VERY difficult, but no worries (so far). With a population of 2 million, 60% speak English. All students are required to take English classes and the fact that 70% of internet content is in English, doesn’t hurt either.
I BOUGHT AN ENGLISH BOOK THE OTHER DAY IN LJUBLJANA
When Natasa and I first got back from America, it was like Christmas in June. Both Natasa and Sara got Apple Iphones. This has turned out (so far) to be a great addition to communicating and socializing.
HI MOM, WHERE’S MY PHONE?
I love to cook and now that 3 of us are sharing the kitchen we needed more room.
YOU CAN BUY IKEA TYPE, ASSEMBLE YOURSELF, CABINETS
SISI, OUR CAT THOUGHT SHE SHOULD HELP ME, IT WAS WORK TO CONVINCE HER TO GET OUT.
FINISHED CABINET AND WITH JARS OF FLOUR, PASTA, RICE ETC. THAT’S A WALNUT CUTTING BOARD WE BOUGHT AT THE ART MARKET IN THE OLD TOWN SQUARE (outside our front door)
i really enjoy being able to make our lives easier and fun. This is the first time in my life I have the time to work on projects around the house, somewhat stress free. I cook meals, make zucchini bread, cookies, I go shopping at the farmers market. Natasa seems to be enjoying having Mr. Mom here.
NATASA’S PARENTS HAVE A HUGE CHERRY TREE. OUR FREEZER IS FULL OF CHERRIES AND BERRIES FOR WEEKEND PANCAKES
People are always asking me how I like it here is Skojfa Loka. I tell them, if you’ve every seen the T.V. series from the 60’s called THE PRISONER, well I feel like the main character. He lives in a village, where life is perfect. The cafes have people sipping coffee, there’s concerts in the park, it sometimes feels unreal.
ONE OF THE MANY SUMMER EVENTS CELEBRATING SLOVENIAN HISTORY AND CULTURE
For a city to be great it must have bicycle events and we had several pass through Skofja Loka this summer.
THEY HAD 10 POLICEMAN ON MOTORCYCLES KEEPING THE ROAD CLOSED AND SAFE. IT WAS THE MAIN ROAD (and the only road)
Every bike race has to have a rest stop to recharge.
THIS STOP IS IN THE MIDDLE OF THE MAIN ROAD TO LJUBLJANA, THE CAPITAL OF SLOVENIA.
Having bike events pass through Skofja Loka is pretty cool. But really the local riding is so awesome too. I can climb a mountain, ride along a river, ride through the cornfields and best of all it’s nearly all car-free.
NATASA STYLE RIDING IN HER THAILAND PANTS
After my Mr. Mom chores are done, the rest of the day is mine to do as I want and biking is on that list.
BIKING ALLOWS ME THE OPPORTUNITY TO CAPTURE PHOTOS OF OTHER TRAVELERS TOO.
I find in the Slovenian people to be quite self-sufficient. The farmers work hard, I’ve seen them using their tractors at night with the headlights on!
THEY HAVE IT ALL HERE: FIREWOOD, HAY FOR THE COWS THROUGH THE WINTER AND A GARDEN FOR EATING, CANNING AND FREEZING.
I respect the hard working nature of the Slovenians. I’ve had several of my own business’s since I was 16, I’m a hard worker. Natasa? She makes me look lazy, she’s a kick ass worker. It’s hard to get here to sit down sometimes.
Natasa had to go with her job on a weekend retreat.
SO I PACKED UP THE CAR AND HEAD TO THE BEACH IN IZOLA, SLOVENIA
I stayed in Izola last summer for nearly a week, but this time I wanted to bike to Koper for a full day. I still find visiting museums and historical places interesting and fun.
THIS PAINTING LOOKED JUST LIKE AN OLD EUROPEAN VILLAGE
THIS SIGN IS IN KOPER. MOST BANDS DON’T MAKE IT TO SLOVENIA, BUT GOOD OLE BILLY IDOL IS COMING TO LJUBLJANA AND WE GOT TICKETS!
Billy Idol still looks like the cover of his first album, hasn’t aged a bit. (sunscreen?)
IT WAS A SOLD-OUT SHOW, MOST BANDS DON’T COME HERE AND WHEN THEY DO, EVERYBODY COMES. (iphone doesn’t take the best pictures)
I go for a bathroom break, the world cup soccer was going on and soccer fever was everywhere, even in the bathroom urinal.
IT WAS SOCCER, STILL NO SCORE
Back in Skofja Loka,
SARA IS SHOWING HER GRANDPA (FRANK) HOW HER NEW IPHONE WORKS.
I’ve saw this during my first visit to Skofja Loka, first days of school celebration?
I HAVE NO IDEA HOW THEY GET THAT FELT PEN OFF THEIR FACES LATER?
Thanks for reading, I have some free time now and will be posting Part II very soon.
Even in winter, biking is awesome. Like skiing, just dress for the weather and you will never have to put your bike away for the winter.
Take Care
Jeff
