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1月11日 You know you've been in Ljubljana too long when...Was just having a look at this website to see if it contained anything of interest. Conclusion: Not alot. But,there were two humorous pages on there that were contributed by anonymous ex-pats. I've taken the best parts of them both and shortened it into this list; You know you've been in Ljubljana too long when... 2. While visiting New York or London, you say "Good Morning" to everyone in the elevator/lift. 3. You leave your car unlocked and are not surprised to find it's still there when you return. 4. You believe you really can taste the difference between Union and Lasko. 5. You can also distinguish a 'Stajerskan' from a 'Dolenskan' accent. 6. While driving around the city, it seems that everything begins to look like a parking place. 7. You pepper your conversations (with other English speakers) with expressions like "ah res?" and "v redu!" 8. It seems normal to have to visit two cashiers' windows to (a) pay and obtain a receipt, and (b) present the receipt to the clerk, who carefully wraps, tapes, stickers shut and bags your single 9-volt battery. 9. On trips home, you speak to shop clerks and waitresses in Slovene. Or at least think about it. 10. When asked to spell out your name, you automatically do it pronouncing the letters the Slovene way. 11.You stop converting prices from tolars into your home currency. 12. You start following Slovene politics. 13. You tell friends you're going on a short trip to Dunaj or Benetke. 14.Your dreams are in English, but with Slovene subtitles. 12月20日 Christmas in LjubljanaI took the above photo on my walk to work yesterday.
I am now experiencing Ljubljana at christmas time for the third year running, (the first year was as a tourist, but who cares). One thing that has struck me is how much bigger the whole occasion is each year.
I remember how disappointing my first christmas time here was, nobody was in the spirit, decorations were not kept to a minimum but also weren't exactly plentiful, and the whole atmosphere didn't call out "It's christmas!"
Coming from England, and also having lived in Rome for over a year, I wasn't used to such a subdued festive period. I sought answers from everyone as to why it was like this, and the most common answer was that under the socialist regime of years gone by, christmas wasn't celebrated, well not officially anyway. People even had to go to work on christmas day! They then told me that since the fall of socialism christmas has been getting bigger and bigger every year with more and more people celebrating it, but that the real big celebration of the period is New Year's Eve.
Then, a year later and things were looking a bit more christmassy to me, cynics will argue that this is because by this time I had been living in Ljubljana for almost a year and had become accustomed to things here and had forgotten exactly how christmas time looks in England. Possible, but I still think that last year things were quite nice. Trees and lights were more frequent, people were into the spirit a bit more, and the toy shops were turning over a good profit.
That brings me on to this year. What a difference! Trees and lights have been up since early November, posters in shop windows, young, attractive ladies walking around the street wearing antlers on their heads (OK, I only saw this once, but I tell you, the image has stuck with me.) And to top it all off, it is impossible to walk down Čopova street without being approached by a group of Santa Clauses offering you sweets and saying festive things like "Ho Ho Ho!" Or the Slovenian equivalent. I gotta be honest, I love it.
Here is the full uncut picture
12月14日 Funny name for a bar, isn't it?Now, depending on where you come from in the world, the word 'bum' will take on a different meaning for you. I know for example that in America the word is used to describe a homeless person, whereas where I come from a homeless person is referred to as a 'tramp.' Tramp, however has a slightly different meaning in the U.S. Shit, once again I have come completely away from my point. What is my point? .......
Oh yea, now I remember. The word 'bum.'
Where I come from the word is a kind of polite way of saying 'arse' or for my American readers, 'ass.' Hence, a 'bummer' is somebody who takes part in homosexual actvity, (sorry to the politically correct crew, I just speak the truth), and a 'bum bar' is, amongst the old, politically incorrect crowd, (writer not included in that group), a watering hole frequented by men who have chosen a different lifestyle to what is commonly accepted as the social norm. Have I avoided the potential of being contacted by angry lawyers with my artful use of the English language? Fingers crossed.
Anyway, I decided to take a different walk to work the other day here in sunny Ljubljana, and I came across this pub that was just calling out to be photographed and put on my webpage. I wonder how many liberal tourists have made the wrong assumption over the years.....
Click pics to enlarge and enjoy
12月13日 Starting things off on a nice noteWhilst killing time in between working hours, I came across this picture of Ljubljana that was sent as a postcard on 26th May 1909. Those familiar with the city will be able to tell you that the photo depicts the town-hall in the old town, and that the street has changed very little in the last 96 years. In fact if it wasn't for the picture quality or the horse and carts going about their daily business, you could probably believe that the postcard is a modern one. Anyway, I'll say no more and leave you to enjoy the beauty.
 One more thing; If anyone has, or knows where to find more of these old pictures of Slovenia, not just Ljubljana, please share. Thank you.
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