REFLECTION
GO WITH THE FLOW, STAY IN THE BEAUTY
This applies to everything!
PEOPLE I MEET ALONG THE WAY
In Kranj, I was drawn into the art gallery Galerija Likovega by a charcoal drawing in the window. It is the work of Duje Medic from Croatia, who is called “A master of drawing”. The way a simple pencil on paper can evoke such emotion is breathtaking!
I end up having a fun discussion with Martine, the gallery owner, on the emotions that drive us. I learn her dream is to buy land for an artist’s retreat and take a road trip to Spain this summer with her eight year old daughter. Before I head out, Martine says I must meet Mateja at Fragmenti Books & Coffee. Later in the day I stop in at the bookstore and Mateja immediately invites me to have coffee with the rest of her group, Sara and Ziga. We have a lively discussion about politics and then move on to their dreams involving land and creativity too.
At the Youth Hostel Bledec, I meet a young woman from Argentina. She has a coffee shop at a ski resort there and after the summer season, she comes to Europe to travel and work the winter season in a ski resort. At a young age, she has figured out a lovely work-life balance.
FELLOW TRAVELERS
I also meet a group of four fellow travelers (and their dog) from Croatia. I notice them relaxing in the grass on the edge of town in Postojna. I stop to ask them where they were from and where they were going. It turns out that this is their first bike-packing trip. They are loving it and are totally sold on this way of travel now! I also meet a group of travelers from Taiwan and it is also their first bike-packing adventure!
In Matavun, at Hostel Skria I meet Cat who is from Switzerland and working at the hostel for the season. I ask her to join me over the lovely breakfast she has prepared. I learn that she used to work in the pharmaceutical industry, which she didn’t like. She has also traveled to Canada and worked on a horse farm. She is now going in the direction of hospitality for her work life, and is learning to trust her gut in decision making. Working solo at the hostel has taught her that she really prefers working with a team - so for her next job she will seek a team environment. It is wonderful when people take the time to understand themselves and make decisions that feed their soul. Cat will have a fruitful life.
In the adorable Hostel Lukna, in Mojstrana, I meet Jordan from Scotland who is studying weaving and wants to own a farm one day. He and I discover that we have the order/chaos method of travel in common. That means we may start a journey with some sense of order, like a reservation at a hostel, but then - we end up just following the chaos of adventure to wherever it may lead. It is a very spontaneous way of travel that would drive most people nuts - that’s why we travel solo!
Cat and Jordan are why I love staying at hostels. I meet the most interesting people (mostly young) from all over the world, who are - what seems to me, living life as their authentic selves. It is exciting to meet people willing to share their stories, who are clear about the type of life they want to lead, and are doing it successfully. Which of course, brings up the whole discussion of success…
In my travels, it is refreshing to meet people who are not bound by an outdated model defining success in terms of dollars and the accumulation of stuff. These people are wealthy beyond measure in experience and a true pleasure to engage with. I love these micro-engagements - they feed my soul!
Thank-you Slovenia for adding to my treasure chest of great experiences!!!
Time for a few weeks in Germany before heading home…