The XtraSuitcase

Husband and wife…. traveling and eating our way around the globe

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  • SLOVENIA – FEBRUARY 08

     


    Greetings from Ljubljana, Slovenia!


    Slovenia is a small country nestled between Italy, Austria, Hungary and Croatia. As such, it should be regarded as a central European country and although the population is Slavic, historically it has always seen itself as a part of the 'west'. The population numbers around 2 million, 300,000 of whom live in the capital, Ljubljana.
     
     

    The people are very friendly throughout the country.  Slovenia is a member state of the EU. Historical and cultural influences are a mixture of Germanic, Italian and Hungarian. The language is Slovene, a Slavic language somewhere between Czech and Serbian. But English was widely spoken.
    Saturday was a picture perfect day so we hopped on the bus for an hour ride north of the city to Lake Bled.
     

     

     

    Lake Bled is a popular tourist area for Slovenian and international travelers and was the summer home of former Yugoslav president Josip Tito.

     

     
     
    The whole area looked like something out of a fairy tale. 
     


    Bled Castle, is built on a cliff overlooking the lake, and is one of the oldest castles in Slovenia, dating back to the 11th century. Looking at this – who thinks it looks like it would be impossible to climb the side to get to the top?

     

    NOT donald! Actual photo of me climbing down from a grueling climb UP to the castle.  Note the look on the face…..someone is NOT happy, but looking fashionable for a mountain climb!

     

     
    If you have never seen mistletoe growing live, it grows wild and in balls in trees.
     

    We found a friend in Bled….the cream cake: Kremsnite. Cream cakes are a symbol of Bled cuisine, which have been well-known to visitors for decades.

     

     

     

    This light dessert (pictured above) is available in practically every patisserie, coffee house and restaurant. Another friend was the Gibanica, a traditional Slovenian pastry that is either rolled or layered, and can contain a combination of raisins, cottage cheese, poppy seeds, nuts, or apples. Gibanica, or versions of gibanica, are also prepared in other Southeastern European countries like Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina.

    We spent the weekend exploring the city.  It had a lot of art Nouveau architecture and interesting sculptures.  This was a door on a church.  The most fascinating door we have ever seen.
     

    Horse is a popular dish here and is served in very fancy restaurants, on pizza and as burgers.  Donald wanted to try it, but per my request, did not.



    A few more photos that show the culture and colors of Ljubjana.

       

     
     
     

     

    We enjoyed our visit and would like to return and explore different parts of Slovenia.

     

  • WELCOME TO OUR BLOG – OUR FIRST POST: MARDI GRAS WEEKEND

    HAPPY NEW YEAR! We have been dragging our heels on starting a Blog, but after great encouragement from Polt-Erratic (blogger professional), we are going to give it a try. Mainly because we want to share our adventures and photos with our family and friends and sending them in an email is getting to be difficult. Those of you who know us well and love us (which should be anyone reading this) know that D and I are arguing over exactly how many photos to send…..I want lots…..he only wants the best three. Guess who won? : )

    January was a quiet month for us. It is hard to believe it is over and we have moved into February. Friday starts our busy spring travel with Slovenia. Over the next few months, we will also travel to Amsterdam, Paris, Geneva and London (humm …..do our hosts know this yet?). Donald's parents arrive in late April for a three week visit. We are really looking forward to this.

    But this week is Mardi Gras. Many cities and towns celebrate the last day before the six weeks of Lent. Belgium’s most famous Mardi Gras festival takes place in Binche, a town of about 30,000 people, 34 miles south of Brussels. They say it attracts thousands of visitors annually for this event.

     

    So we jumped on the train Sunday morning and headed to Binche to see what this was all about.

    On  shrove Sunday, the first of three days of Mardi Gras, the Gilles, and others in peasant, Harlequin and Pierrot costumes, parade through the streets of Binche and dance to music played by brass bands, showing off their dazzling costumes. It began at at 10:00 AM, we arrived around 11:00. Wow, what a sight! It was so festive and they were right, there were thousands of people……..

     
    It was quite the experience trying to walk through the crowds, let alone take photos! But everyone was very friendly and in a very good mood. Those dressed up loved to pose for the camera, even the children.


     
    Ratatouille was one of the themes. For both children and Adults.


    Strawberry shortcake another.

     



    Confetti was everywhere. The children in the 2nd photo are picking it up off
    of the ground so they can throw it again.

     

    Not so sure these two were enjoying the day!

     

    He was a shy one!


     

    The little ladybug. Precious!


    Hello Kitty! Dads….would you do this for your daughter?

     


     

     

    BINOCHE


    Some costumes were very elaborate as you can see from the three men above.


    Where's Waldo?


     

    This group was from a clockwork orange!  Everyone was having fun!


     

     

    HAPPY MARDI GRAS TO ALL!

     

    {note – if you can not tell, that is confetti I am throwing in your honor!}