(Slovenian Alps from train window)
With that said, it is one of the best places in Europe. The city is one of the few, if not the only, capital in Europe to not have been destroyed during WW1 and WW2. That characteristic makes it one of the most charming.
So I finished class on Friday and hopped on a 5 p.m. train due west. A total of 10 of us made the 5 hour hour ride, which was delayed, including stoppage at the border and us having to take a bus since the track was being fixed in one area.
(On the bright side: It also included being in the beautiful ALPS:)
We actually stayed in the city for less than 36 hours, but they were pretty fun-filled. On our train ride, we met some French students, Pierre-Jean and Elise, who were on their way back form Budapest to Ljubjana, where they have been studying for the past year. Our new friends offered to show us the city on Saturday so we got a free tour guide with some amazing people. This included going along the Ljubljanica River, touring the city's castle and getting great deals on food and booze.
(Group Photo from atop Ljubjana Castle with French friends on the right)
During the evening hours we met them up at a local pub and was escorted by them and another new friend, Zala, who my friend Yan and I had met a pub earlier in the day. (So, we basically spent the night hanging out with locals at their favorite dive bars/pubs/dance clubs.)
(Cheers with our new friends)
After about 4 hour of sleep for the second straight night, everyone woke up around 7:30 a.m. on Sunday and we headed back to Hungary.
When I arrived back on Sunday I said goodbye to my first home family, the Czotter family, who are taking their annual family vacation to Lake Balaton. It was a pretty sad leaving them, but I was thankful for having met them.
My second host family in Z-town includes a mother Chilla, who is an English teacher; Gabor, who is a captain of a ship and spends part of the year abroad in Europe (he is also fluent in English; daughter Vicky (13); son William (11); son Peter (9). The young children are wonderful singers and I will hopefully be able to upload some footage of them singing the Beatles.
On an entirely different note. I have been having some pretty interesting dreams lately. Last night I dreamt that my Grandpa Rehmann was in his living room and we were chatting about my travels in Europe. He told me he just wanted to stop in and say hello, but only had a temporary "get out of Heaven" card. (haha) I also dreamt that I was about four years ahead and my nephew, Ben, along with cousins, Blake, Addison, Natalie and William were all walking up to Natalie's family's restaurant in Chesaning. Ben was super excited because I promised him a Root Beer Float.
Take care,
Marc
You should have a Mass said for your Grandfather in one of those baroque Churches.
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