Zagreb and Ljubliana

So as you know, I've already gone on, and returned from, my trip to the Balkans, but I decided to write this blog afterwards, figuring I could do a better job with my laptop than my ipod. And this way, I can include some of the lovely pictures I've taken. Enjoy and leave a comment or two if you like. I flew into Zagreb first, which is the capital of Croatia. It's population is similar to Winnipeg, but as there is a limit on the number of stories buildings can be (not very high), plus all of the old European architecture (don't ask me what kind - old pretty stuff), it definitely didn't feel the same. There is a main square close near the old town. Every city seemed to have an old town, usually with tons of pedestrian-only streets lined with cafe/bar/restaurant patio tables. It's a concept that I really wish we had adopted more in Canada.

Zagreb also has some neat museums. One I went to was the Museum of Broken Relationships. Basically people from all over the world have submitted objects that are emotionally connected to a relationship that ended, accompanied by a short paragraph about the object/relationship. Some of them ended due to a death or abuse, others were just bad, some were short lived young love, or just ran their course. The majority were happy or thoughtful, although some were sad. The objects were everything from toys (of both the child's and sexual variety), clothing, random trinkets, letters. Overall really neat. I also checked out a large cathedral (also old of course) that was pretty impressive.

I did a day trip from Zagreb to Plitvice Lakes which is a huge complex of tiered waterfalls and lakes. Even though it was raining when I went, it was beautiful (although packed with people in some places). It is also the first of several UNESCO heritage sites I visited on my trip.

From Zagreb I took my first ever train ride (what a great way to travel!) to Ljubliana, the capital of Slovenia. The main old town/pedestrian area flanks and runs along the Ljublianca River (really creative). There are an obscenely large number of bridges across this river, majority of which are pedestrian as cars aren't allowed in the central old town area. Again, cafes everywhere, and gelato! There was a neat food market when I was there that had vendors from around the country selling sample sizes of food. All in all, a pretty little city.