In my neighborhood – Ljubljana

As this trip progresses, I am finding a common theme to my pictures and my postings, both in WordPress and in Facebook.  There is a tension between the touristic and the day-to-day experience that begs for analysis.  Enrolling in the local public bicycle program helped me expand my understanding of this.

Starting from where we stayed, I took one or two trips daily.  The graffiti on the deteriorating walls of the building where we stayed suggested to me a run down neighborhood.  On close examination, the care given the flowers and plants in the window boxes illustrated a spirit of revival that characterized my discoveries.  I took a picture of my reflection and my account from the public bicycle terminal.

Window boxes in our building

Selfie with my public bicycle log

Map to bicycle to Sunday Grocery Store

Most shops are closed or close early on Sunday.  I followed bike paths to one that was open.
Just across the street from us is the Metelkova district.  This is an arts and alternative life style enclave that is home to a well known music club and also an art gallery.

Metelkova Refuge

Inside Metelkova refuge

One misty morning I road out along the Ljubljana river by the Dragon Bridge down to the South branch by the locks.

Dragon Bridge in the fog

Locks of the Ljubljanica River south channel

On a warm afternoon, I saw a sign for the road to the castle.  Even though I had to walk the bike part of the way, it provided some spectacular views.  Also, an exciting ride and skids down a gravel path I chose back to the city.  I was not sure whether to take that path until I saw a man pushing a baby pram down it followed by a young man on a bicycle.

From University Square toward Castle

Overlooking the city though a viaduct

From Castle toward western mountains

In the final summation, we have many interesting experiences seeking out the unique and the common during our week in Ljubljana.  I wonder what we will feel after a week in Zagreb.

Impressions of Ljubljana in Autumn

We traveled from Trieste to Ljubljana by local bus. There were express busses but they did not fit our schedule. It was much more interesting stopping in a number of small towns, traveling down two lane highways, and seeing the passengers board and alight. There were grandmothers and tourists and high school students at various intervals.

This entry I am trying a new style with more photos and editing from the iPad. We found our apartment next to the art museum square.

An apartment gem hidden by a grim facade

There are the mandatory cats in the neighborhood. This black one on an orange car made us think of halloween.

I registered for the public bike service for € 1. Every day I get an hour to feel like I’m 14 again. I have zipped through the old section and over to the new city developing north of the railway station.

The old town has a comfortable feel settled among old churches, the active market, restaurants, and boutiques, overlooked by the castle.

 

We hiked up the mountain to the castle. It is an interesting space for artistic exhibitions and for scenic views. By the funicular station the stone base is exposed. The actual view is nice for the misty mountains in the distance but somewhat unsatisfying. This contrasts with how excited we have been to be in Ljubljana, discovering our own little treasures.