Day 6, Thursday, 7/26/07
Today we are going to visit with Baha'is who have befriended and supported Josh since his year of service. First we will be picking Josh up at the Baha'i Center. The Baha'i Center is in the opposite corner of Ljubljana from our apartment. Amongst the four of us (Damian spent the day with Maruska) we had been to and from the Baha'i Center at least four times. But, as we found last night, our confidence may be on faulty ground.
Without our tour guide to get us home last night, we got lost in Ljubljana. After turning around no less than two times to get to the road we recognized as closest to the apartment, we were stuck. We drove up and down this same road no less than four times looking to get to the other side for the way that will get us home. Please keep in mind that this crew are all capable travelers. Amongst those in the car was Bob, who had been doing most of the driving during this trip. There was also Charles, who has taken many walks in the area, paid close attention while traveling, has a reputation for having “homing pigeon instincts”, and has maneuvered in many cities throughout the world. In the end we had to ask directions twice and buy a map.
The conclusions made that night were:
1.Ljubljana is one of the hardest cities to maneuver in and around.
2.You don't always come back the same way you got there.
3.You must always have a driver and navigator with a map to get anywhere in the city.
Point 3 was first proven on last Tuesday when Damian and Charles ventured home from old city center. To Charles' surprise, they lost their way home. They got back to the apartment thanks to Damian's ability to read and navigate from the map. This was the same technique used to get us to the Baha'i Center. Karen navigated with the map while Bob drove. No problem.
There are about 50 Baha'is in all of Slovenia. There is one Spiritual Assembly, which is in Ljubljana. There are about 35 Baha'is in Ljubljana. The next largest community is in Maribor, where the children's classes are. Just think, the Baha'i children of Ljubljana go to Maribor for the children's classes. This is a two hour trip, one way. Today we met three of the believers in the Kranj area. Alexandra became a Baha'i at the same time as Maruska. (During a time when there was a very active Baha'i Youth Workshop in Ljubljana.) Mahir was a Persian pioneer in Croatia when the two met and decided to marry. They live in a small village, outside of Kranj. Together with their new baby, they share a house with Alexandra's parents and her brother. This is the traditional way in Slovenia. The village in the northeastern part of the country, towards Lake Bled. It is very beautiful, set in the hills, with the mountains nearby. (see pix)
While having lunch, we watched three people parachuting off one of the hill tops.
Alexandra and Mahir have been strong supporters of Josh since his year of service. I was excited to have the opportunity to meet them and express my appreciation. It was abundantly clear that even Alexandra's parents have enjoyed the time to get to know Josh and watching him grow to become a part of their family. There will be no concern for Josh feeling isolated or alone when he and Maruska finally make their residence in Slovenia.
Again, we had a picnic lunch with more food than we could eat. Charles decided that the pork in Slovenia is some of the best he has eaten. In just the short time we had to spent with this family, we felt a bond and camaraderie that we hope to continue to nurture in the future. (see pix)
We spent a very brief time visiting with a Baha'i in Kranj, Marianna. Another friendship we hope to return to and deepen some day. Our time with Marianna was cut short so that we could get back to Ljubljana in time to pick Damian up from his day of adventure.
Damian spent the day with Maruska as she was preparing for the BIG DAY. None-the-less, they found some time to hang out in town, especially at the Piercing Cult. This is where we finally found Damian. He had found his place in Ljubljana.
The evening's events were more individualized. Charles and Damian spent a quiet evening at the apartment. Karen spent the evening at Maruska's helping her and her parents get ready for the wedding, such as putting the crocheted butterflies in to the booklets. Bob and Zack joined a few others in having a silly time for Josh's bachelor party.
True to form, this party was not very traditional. It was not wild or crazy, but it was rather silly. There was no ball and chain to put on his ankle, so they simulated concrete shoes with large boxes to go on his feet. He also had to make a “tuxedo” out of newspaper, and a top hat. Look at this handsome groom. Who wouldn't want to marry him? (see pix)
Wait a minute! What is he standing in front of? They told me it was good clean fun! (Laughing Out Loud)
Without our tour guide to get us home last night, we got lost in Ljubljana. After turning around no less than two times to get to the road we recognized as closest to the apartment, we were stuck. We drove up and down this same road no less than four times looking to get to the other side for the way that will get us home. Please keep in mind that this crew are all capable travelers. Amongst those in the car was Bob, who had been doing most of the driving during this trip. There was also Charles, who has taken many walks in the area, paid close attention while traveling, has a reputation for having “homing pigeon instincts”, and has maneuvered in many cities throughout the world. In the end we had to ask directions twice and buy a map.
The conclusions made that night were:
1.Ljubljana is one of the hardest cities to maneuver in and around.
2.You don't always come back the same way you got there.
3.You must always have a driver and navigator with a map to get anywhere in the city.
Point 3 was first proven on last Tuesday when Damian and Charles ventured home from old city center. To Charles' surprise, they lost their way home. They got back to the apartment thanks to Damian's ability to read and navigate from the map. This was the same technique used to get us to the Baha'i Center. Karen navigated with the map while Bob drove. No problem.
There are about 50 Baha'is in all of Slovenia. There is one Spiritual Assembly, which is in Ljubljana. There are about 35 Baha'is in Ljubljana. The next largest community is in Maribor, where the children's classes are. Just think, the Baha'i children of Ljubljana go to Maribor for the children's classes. This is a two hour trip, one way. Today we met three of the believers in the Kranj area. Alexandra became a Baha'i at the same time as Maruska. (During a time when there was a very active Baha'i Youth Workshop in Ljubljana.) Mahir was a Persian pioneer in Croatia when the two met and decided to marry. They live in a small village, outside of Kranj. Together with their new baby, they share a house with Alexandra's parents and her brother. This is the traditional way in Slovenia. The village in the northeastern part of the country, towards Lake Bled. It is very beautiful, set in the hills, with the mountains nearby. (see pix)
While having lunch, we watched three people parachuting off one of the hill tops.
Alexandra and Mahir have been strong supporters of Josh since his year of service. I was excited to have the opportunity to meet them and express my appreciation. It was abundantly clear that even Alexandra's parents have enjoyed the time to get to know Josh and watching him grow to become a part of their family. There will be no concern for Josh feeling isolated or alone when he and Maruska finally make their residence in Slovenia.
Again, we had a picnic lunch with more food than we could eat. Charles decided that the pork in Slovenia is some of the best he has eaten. In just the short time we had to spent with this family, we felt a bond and camaraderie that we hope to continue to nurture in the future. (see pix)
We spent a very brief time visiting with a Baha'i in Kranj, Marianna. Another friendship we hope to return to and deepen some day. Our time with Marianna was cut short so that we could get back to Ljubljana in time to pick Damian up from his day of adventure.
Damian spent the day with Maruska as she was preparing for the BIG DAY. None-the-less, they found some time to hang out in town, especially at the Piercing Cult. This is where we finally found Damian. He had found his place in Ljubljana.
The evening's events were more individualized. Charles and Damian spent a quiet evening at the apartment. Karen spent the evening at Maruska's helping her and her parents get ready for the wedding, such as putting the crocheted butterflies in to the booklets. Bob and Zack joined a few others in having a silly time for Josh's bachelor party.
True to form, this party was not very traditional. It was not wild or crazy, but it was rather silly. There was no ball and chain to put on his ankle, so they simulated concrete shoes with large boxes to go on his feet. He also had to make a “tuxedo” out of newspaper, and a top hat. Look at this handsome groom. Who wouldn't want to marry him? (see pix)
Wait a minute! What is he standing in front of? They told me it was good clean fun! (Laughing Out Loud)