Germans love their holidays (Urlaub), so for Pentecost, also known as Whitsun, we had an entire week off of classes. In the US I don't think I've ever know when Pentecost takes place or why until coming here.
Anyways, I've wanted to visit some more Eastern European cities for a long time (other than Prague). I started in Vienna (Austria), spent a day in Bratislava (Slovakia), Ljubljana (Slovenia) and Lake Bled, and finished in Pula (Croatia).
Vienna was similar to what I expected: full of the arts in every form - architecture, visual and performing arts, music, etc. I feel like it is best to go to Vienna with something you are really interested in doing, like seeing a musical performance or visiting one of the historical or art museums. I didn't have anything in particular but I did end up going to the Albertina, which had an incredible collection of art including Monet, Picasso, Degas, Matisse, and more. I also went to an orchestra performance of Vivaldi's Four Seasons in the majestic Karlskirche. If you know anything about my love for Chef's Table, you'll believe that my life is pretty near complete after having heard the introduction song to this Netflix series, live during this performance.
From Vienna I took a day trip to Bratislava, as it only takes a short one hour bus ride away to get to the capital of Slovakia. Very interesting city - a little more off the beaten path, with remnants of a communist past still very visible. On a walking tour I learned that, not knowing quite how they identify themselves because of being part of the Austria-Hungarian Empire for so long, Slovaks have added some very eccentric parts to their city. For example, a bright baby blue church that some lovingly deem as the "marshmallow church" with a playful style stands not far from the city center. An annual mural painting contest is held for artists to create art on the sides of old blank communist buildings, brightening up the city a little. Real, Goodwill-style thrift shops abound (I say real because the majority of the ones I come across are more consignment style and higher priced), so obviously this city received a high rating from me. Slovaks are very friendly, and being part (Czecho)Slovakian myself, I felt inspired by this little country.
The next day I arrived in Ljubljana, the highlight of my trip. It is the capital of Slovenia, which passing through on bus, almost reminds me of Vermont with endless green/forested rolling slopes. The weather was beautiful when I arrived and throughout the length of my time there, and since it was a Sunday (most stores close on Sundays) everyone was waiting at the bus station in their bathing suits to go to Lake Bled for the day. I explored the city, visiting the castle overlooking it all, walked through a craft market, and went on a walking tour. A lot of the architecture in the city was done by the same guy who designed buildings in Venice and Vienna, so the city felt like a mini cross between the two; less touristy, cleaner, and very comfortably walkable. I've really gotten into taking walking tours of the more significant European cities because there is always so much history and I like leaving a city feeling like i've dived a little deeper than the tourist oriented shops and attractions. However it is hard to say you "know" a city from only being there two days.
On my second day in Ljubljana, I spent the morning at the markets in town then went to Lake Bled midday for an afternoon of hiking and swimming. It is a beautiful alpine lake similar to Lake Konstanz but much smaller, surrounded by mountains, and with a castle on a little island in the middle of it. I went on an impromptu run/hike up an old logging trail which yielded many great views of the lake and even more wild strawberries. I honestly felt like I was at home exploring some Vermont hills.
An early morning bus brought me to Pula, on the Istrian peninsula of Croatia. I was a little sight-seeing-ed-out at this point and was blessed with two sweltering days with which to spend wandering along the rocky coastlines. I did some light exploring after just getting there, wandering around the city which felt like a little Roman ruins tourist destination, with a castle at the highest point, the most well preserved colosseum in Europe, and a big produce market in the center of the old town. I found that the currency, Croatian Kuna, was rather deceiving, mainly because prices are always higher in touristy areas of the city. Dinner was from a much needed vegan-raw-vegetable restaurant, which I know makes me sound like a white girl (go figure.. I am), but after eating lots of cakes and cheesy and meaty and carb-y food, I needed some green medicine.
The second day I used a bike to visit some cool formations called the Seagull Rocks, which apparently led to a secret beach on the other side if you were willing to swim through the very dark cave for awhile... no thanks. I found a wild plum tree and filled a bag to the brim, content for the day sucking on the sweet fruits and soaking up the sun. Lots of people ask if I'm traveling alone and 1) eight days is not that long I'll see my friends soon again 2) I get to live by my schedule alone 3) often save money 4) introspection!
Anyways, after a mild heart attack leaving my phone in the taxi on the way to the airport, I got it back (that is a story for another day) and took the quickest twelve Euro flight home ever. Quick update from Konstanz: exams are fast approaching so everyone is actually pretty busy studying, planning end of semester trips, or completing a list of items we need to do before we go home. Bis später!
