Friendly Slovenians

Trying to make a generalization about a country or its people is just dangerous – full stop. Trying to do it after only three nights in the country is ridiculous. I don’t care, Slovenians are so freaking friendly!  You know there is something good in the water when teenagers say hi to you as you pass. Teenagers!!  Here I am in a new country with the ability to say only one word in Slovenian, and people are going out of their way to communicate with me. In my short experience many Slovenians are bi, tri and even quadralingual.  One friendly teenager in the smallest of mountain hamlets cautioned me against taking a mountain track with my trailer. In perfect English he explained that with the heavy rains it would be very muddy. I was so grateful for his advice and took a beautiful small paved road that curved through a valley studded with hamlets up on the hills. 

In 2011, Gord and I met three amazing Slovenian pilgrims on the Camino Frances. Our route this year was chosen partly so we could reconnect with them.  But here’s the thing, I really thought they were all particularly special people. What if they are just ordinary by Slovenian standards?

The weather is improving and with dry days we are realizing how beautiful this country is. We spent last night in the medieval city of Ptuj. Ptuj is the oldest city in Slovenia. It was first settled in the Neolithic period, and later the Romans established a city on the same spot.  With the exception of Ormoz the previous evening, Ptuj was the first city that we have visited since we left Budapest three weeks ago.  It was a pleasure to once again be in a European city with an ancient history.