Slovenian Hospitality

MEGA-RETREAT!!!

The snow turned to rain, and the rain just kept coming...after HOURS in the car spent eating biscuits and watching the windows steam up we left Italy for Slovenia. Surprisingly (but really, not surprising at all) it was still raining across the border, and we were left a little unsure what to do - we haven't got a rain-based contingency plan. At this point we remembered Lianka's kind offer of a stay with her family near Ljubljana and we phoned them on the off chance that they wouldn't mind two damp, slightly smelly strangers turning up out of the blue; amazingly this wasn't a problem at all.

The fire truck parade and Ljubljana above and below. 

And so began a week of the most fantabulastic hospitality that we almost certainly did not deserve. We went to a fireman's fiesta where they were celebrating 120 years of action with zealous music, tasty sausages and, of course, plenty of 'Union' beer. We were given an excellent guide round Ljubljana by Danilo and Andrea, climbing to the top of the beautiful castle, wandering the streets, drinking cocktails by the river and eating at the famous 'Hot Horse' which serves unbelievably HUGE, yummy burgers with awesome hot sauce. We also spent long evenings chatting and long mornings walking with Cvetka,  learning about Slovenia and about pálenka, the wonderfully firey plum brandy.

After almost a week without climbing we were getting a bit antsy, so we tried out the Plezalni Centre in Ljubljana. We got hopelessly lost on the way, and were kindly redirected by some lovely Opel dealers, who gave us directions and printed us a map. The routes were long and complex, demanding constant analysis and thought, and probably exactly what we needed. We bouldered a bit too at the wall of the local school, thoughtfully recommended by Danilo, which turned out to be totally nails; a converted pitched attic space riddled with plastic and full of horribly strong kids. We felt suitably humbled.

In all, the welcome and hospitality we received was overwhelming, from everyone in this family and as it turned out, every other person we were so very fortunate to meet in our brief time in Slovenia*. Can't express enough thanks. 
*Apart from the utter asshole in the 7 second traffic hold up we caused who's patience absolutely pissed on all the bounds. But we thank you also, for you made us giggle.