LJUBLJANA, SLOVENIA

Tuesday, November 26

Early in the morning, my friend Heather and I headed to Slovenia to pick up her passport. She had her purse stolen in the States, and has been trying to recover everything since then. We didn't pass up the opportunity to explore a new city just 2 hours away from us.

After parking near the train station (for only 4 Euro/day) we crossed the well-known Dragon Bridge into the main part of town.We asked a sweet old lady to take a photo of us in front of the Bridge. It took her several tries to get us and the dragon in the photo. She was sweet to be so patient with us!

We started out at the central market.

 We walked up to a man selling what looked like tomatoes. I asked what they were, and he cut a few pieces and just handed them to us. They were the most delicious persimmons. Heather bought a few for breakfast. What a tasty way to start the day!

This colonnade next to the market was also designed by Jose Plecnik and ensures protection to the market stands even in bad weather. Plecnik was an architect from Ljubljana. He designed what seems like most of Ljubljana.

I think these sculptures are supposed to be dragon skulls.

Right across from the market was one of many bridges designed by Plecnik. 

Here's Heather getting down with a creepy statue. :)

Ljubljana quickly became one of my favorite cities I've visited. It's a quick and easy walk to all of the main sites and everyone speaks English! We stopped in a little cafe to warm up and get some coffee. Heather and I noticed that we were the only people eating inside on a FREEZING day. Everyone else was outside with down jackets, blankets, and a cigarette in hand. I think there are actually more smokers in Slovenia than there are in Italy. (and that's saying a lot!)

We then headed down to the main square. Here's Heather standing on the Triple Bridge (designed by Plecnik) with the castle in the background.

I'd just like to point out that their main church in the main square is pink. Oh, Ljubljana!

A couple of girls our age wanted their picture taken on this bridge, so we asked them to take our photo too. :)

Looking back toward the Central Market along the Colonnade.

After taking a quick break inside the info center to help warm up, we walked to the castle funicular.

Going up! There's a building in the background that's triangular shaped. We overheard a tour guide saying that the people of Ljubljana were very upset by this building because they thought it was a huge eyesore. Supposedly, it looks like a staircase leading up to the mountains in the background from the street view. (Yeah, I don't think the citizens of Ljubljana understood it either.)

A map of the castle

We started off in the cathedral in the castle. You might notice that there is only one angel on the ceiling; the rest of the artwork are family crests. There was also only one cross hanging in the church. It seemed like a church of politicians.

There was a sweet man doing calligraphy inside the church. I can't believe he works in there all day; it was so cold! He was very nice, and kept giving Heather and I little works of art. He asked if I he could write a persons name on a card. I said, "Nicolas." He said, "Oh, is that your mother?" No...No that's not my mother. 

After we finally escaped the calligraphy man, we headed to the top of the castle. It was so windy and COLD!

A couple offered to take our photo, and then we ran back downstairs.

St. Nicholas' Cathedral

On our way we noticed these very unique looking doors on St. Nicholas' Cathedral. The only info I could find on it is that the six men were archbishops of Ljubljana, and these doors were placed here before the Pope visited in 1996.

It was such a beautiful and sunny day! But boy, was it cold.

We asked around for some good food recommendations. Since Italy mostly has Italian food, we headed to a place that served Thai food. Pad Thai! Oh, how I've missed you!

The last place I wanted to visit while we were there was Tivoli City Park. We didn't have a great map, so we wound our way through the city streets until we could find it. We did happen to come across yet another one of Placnic's bridges. 

Looking back at the castle from the town.

This building is actually a church. I had to do a double take when I was looking at a map. It's the Ursulin Church; it was built in the 18th century. It definitely looks more residential than like a church.

Still heading to the park, Heather and I stood in front of this building for a few minutes. It really stood out considering it is covered with statues of naked people. We later found out that this is the Parliament building. The sculptures show men, women and children working and playing. Parliament is supposed to represent everyone equally, and these statues depict that well.

We finally made it over to Tivoli Gardens which covers several square miles of Ljubjana. It was beautiful at sunset, but I imagine this place is a great escape from the city when it's green!

We had a quick and very brisk walk back to our car to head home. It was a fun- filled day. Slovenia is definitely under-valued. It's a beautiful country with friendly people that speak English! Let's go back! :)

JET PHOTOS

I totally forgot to post these awhile back. A friend in the squadron took these photos. She's a great photographer! 

Nick doesn't like the thought of paying for professional photos, but since his whole squadron does these every year it gives me an excuse to get great photos!

Enjoy!

AUNTS OF FRANCE

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 13

Fredo and Nick headed to the Venice airport early Sunday morning to pick up three Aunts from France: Catherine, Blandine and Anne. One arrived at noon, another arrived and 3pm, and the last at 8pm. What fun!!

Marta and I headed to base to get a much needed hot shower after a week at sea. When we returned home at midnight the night before, we discovered that our apartment building was out of hot water. "DOH!" A hot shower has never felt so good!

After we returned home from base, we went out for a walk while we awaited the arrival of the Aunts!

There was a huge festival going on that weekend in Sacile: Profumi & Sapori. There were food booths set up all over the center of the town. It smelled so good!

There was also a kayak competition going on in the Livenza River surrounding Sacile.

Sacile was bustling! What a great way to welcome family!

The kayakers were all ages. This was one of the smallest competitors I saw. She must have been about 6 or 7.

We had a good laugh at these kids in their floating bubbles.

We met up with the Aunts in the square of Sacile, and enjoyed the festival. When we all got too cold, we walked back to our apartment.

 DEWULF FACT #1: It wouldn't be a DeWulf gathering without sitting at a table with Apple products!

MONDAY, OCTOBER 14

On Monday, we all headed down to Venice from Sacile. Fredo and Anne had never been before, and the other's haven't been in years. We were bursting at the seams we were so excited to see Venice.

Typically, Italians sit quietly on the train and try to ignore one another. DEWULF FACT #2: It would not be a DeWulf gathering without singing! The Aunts all started singing French songs they were taught growing up. We may have gotten a few funny looks, but I couldn't help but sit there and smile as they sang in harmony,  "Frere Jacque, Frere Jacque...."

Once we arrived in Venice, we didn't get far before we stopped for lunch at a sweet restaurant across from the Frari church. The food was delicious! The waitress gave us each a coffee at the end!

Showing their better sides?? :P

:)

It's like walking around with the Brady bunch!

Standing on the world famous Rialto Bridge. DEWULF FACT #3: It would not be a DeWulf gathering without a "few" photos being taken. :)

This sign could be seen from the Rialto. (Yikes!)

We all decided we should get a gondola ride while we were there. It cost 80 Euro for 40 minutes...so the sign stated.

Anne couldn't help but sing under the Rialto Bridge...

Our gondolier pretending to actually give us historical information on our ride.

We had Blandine, Nick, Anne and myself in one boat. In the other boat you can see Catherine, Fredo and Marta.

Nick laughing at Anne and Blandine singing in the gondola.

After a quick 22 minute ride, Nick and the gondolier had it out. :) He expected us to pay him for 40 minutes worth when we were only on the boat for 22 minutes. Thankfully, Nick talked him down. (It wasn't easy.)

After stopping at nearly every store along the way, we finally made it to St. Mark's Square. An orchestra at a nearby cafe started to play New York, New York. 

DEWULF FACT #4: If there is good music playing, a DeWulf will dance. Catherine and Fredo started the trend. A sweet couple joined them. Two goofy teenage girls jumped in the fun as well, so we all started dancing! When the music started to slow, we all got into a line and did the can-can! (Not a very good one, but we DID one none-the-less!) Onlookers from the cafes nearby all got out their cameras and started recording us! It was so much fun!

We sat down at the cafe to get a quick drink. It didn't take us long to realize that the prices were WAY too high. A hot chocolate was 9 Euro plus you have to pay 6 Euro to be able to listen to the live orchestra. YIKES! That's roughly $20 for a drink! No thanks! We ended up heading to the Danieli Hotel for drinks instead.

...Bridge of Sighs and the Doge's Palace on our way to the Danieli.

A little view of the inside of the Danieli Hotel. After we had some warm drinks, Catherine spotted the Prince of Monaco entering the Hotel from a boat entrance! 

Funny cat graffiti on the side of the Danieli.

We started to head back to the train station. We tried hard to get lost...

While "getting lost" we stumbled upon this little bookstore. The sign reads, "Welcome to the most beautiful Bookshop in the World." I would have to agree. :)

The books were displayed in boats and other items that would float if Venice ever floods! Haha!

The shopkeeper pointed us to the back of the bookstore where he had a staircase of books to look over his wall into the Venice canals! A staircase of books! Would that make it a bookcase??

I later found that this store is in one of Rick Steve's books on Venice. The bookstore is called Acqua Alta, or "high water." It's definitely worth a visit.

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 15

Nick and I wanted to show the famiglia our area of Italy, so we picked a few highlights. We started with Gorgazzo Springs. 

We've visited this area dozens of times, but I'll never get tired of it! It's so enchanting! A crystal clear spring from a mountain, and a goose that always hangs around named, "Guido."

"Guido" the goose.

Next we headed up the mountain to Piancavallo. It's a beautiful scenic mountain town. When we got up there all we saw was this...

FOG!!! I've been up to Piancavallo dozens of times and I've never seen it so engulfed in clouds. We couldn't stop laughing! Nick and I have won best tour-guides of the year! We started describing what was hiding through the fog. "To the left you would see the Taj Mahal, to the right is the Eiffel Tower..." Haha!

 We decided to play on the displays since we couldn't see anything and nothing was open.  Once again, Fredo started the trend.

Haha! So funny! Marta hopped in after Fredo. She had her game-face on!

Anne climbed the mountain ...in the FOG!

Fredo also climbed his own mountain...in the FOG! :) So extreme!! Haha! This is probably my favorite photo of Fredo taken during our trip! 

After our challenging mountain climbing we had some much deserved hot chocolate. Italy doesn't just do hot chocolate; it's more like hot pudding...with some cream on the side.

DEWULF FACT #5: It would not be a DeWulf gathering without dog-piling on a couch! :)

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 16

Our third and last day together we ventured down to Venice one last time. (We had mostly shopped and eaten the first time. My kinda trip!) Unfortunately, I forgot my sim card for my camera, so I didn't get any photos of our last day together.

We rode through the Grand Canal on a traghetto. Then we hired a wonderful tour guide. She took us through St. Mark's Basilica and the Doge's Palace. If anyone needs a tour guide, please ask! She was phenomenal! The Aunts all jumped on a water taxi to the airport from St. Mark's square. It was so much fun having them here! From singing on the train to dancing in St. Mark's square....I don't think Italy will be the same!

The next day Marta and Fredo headed back to the States. We had such an amazing few weeks! Nick and I laugh at all the fun and funny times we had together. :)