Back in Ljubljana

Yesterday (Friday) we departed Bled via bus and went back to Ljubljana. We arrived in the city as our friends, Brad and Laurel’s, Slovene class was ending. The class is held near the bus and train station, so we were able to walk over to the classroom to meet them. We are brainstorming the travel plans for the coming days. We will go to Maribor, Slovenia tomorrow and spend half the day there. I hear the town claims to have the oldest living vine in the world. Our friends Brad and Laurel plan on moving to Maribor in the near future. Mariella and I are hoping to catch a bus at the beginning of the week to Venice, Italy (3-4 hour bus ride). We will spend a couple days there then take a train to Interlaken, Switzerland if it is not snowing. We may spend a few days there before heading back down to Italy to the Cinque Terra coast. Mariella and I are thinking about hiking town to town down the coast line. Eventually we want to make our way to Rome and maybe the Amalfi coast near Pompei and Sorrento. We make our plans, but God directs our steps.

Lake Bled Videos and Photos

Tour of the Room and View



Hike above Bled Lake

Serendipity

Mariella and I took bus ride from Ljubljana to Bled. Bled is located in Slovenia’s Julian Alps. “With its emerald-green lake, picture-postcard church on an islet, castle clinging to a rocky cliff and some of the country’s highest peaks as backdrops, Bled seems too good to be true.” -(Lonely Planet). I decided that I would go outside of my “stick to the budget box” and surprise Mariella with a three-day romantic getaway in Bled, Slovenia. I found a great off-season discount at a small posh looking hotel near the lake shore. I called and made the reservation. The hotel was out of the cheapest rooms, so the person promised me a suite at the same price. Nice! While waiting at the bus station in Ljubljana I told Mariella that I was taking her to a nice hotel near the lake great breakfast and dinners included. Of course she did not believe me. When we arrived in Bled we walked to Vila Preseren (mini-hotel). The receptionist told us that their hotel was booked up and we had reservations at a sister hotel on the other side of the lake. We were a little confused, but were flexible knowing that unplanned situations arise frequently. So we walked around the lake and saw a sign to Vila Victoria Bled, the hotel we thought we were directed to. It looked run down and was closed for the winter. At this point I was not happy and my plans were not shaping up as I expected. Mariella and I walked up the street to another hotel to see if they could help us out. We explained our situation to the receptionist at a different hotel and she translated to her boss. Eventually the four of us realized we walked to the wrong hotel, both have a similar name, Vila Victoria Bled (wrong hotel) and Vila Bled (correct hotel). We needed to walk further around the lake. We eventually found Vila Bled and were surprised by the huge rock walls surrounding the grounds and the four stars under the sign. WOW! We walked down the gravel road and up the red carpet wearing the clothes we wear nearly every day and carrying our backpacks, feeling a little uncomfortable with the high class atmosphere. I repeated our situation to the receptionist and she confirmed that we had a reservation at their hotel, the former residence of a Slovene president! I told the receptionist that we were promised a suite at the price found on the internet. She told me I should not worry as the room we would stay in is quite nice (regularly 320 euro a night =about $480 U.S.). We were astonished to find that we received a huge room with a fantastic view, wrap-around terrace, robes, slippers, L’OCCITANE beauty products, fresh fruit, breakfast each morning and three-course dinners. We are not sure how this came to fruition, but are grateful for God’s providence. After exploring the living space, we had a little lunch in the living room and then went on a nearby hike to Osojnica overlook. We watched the sun set on the mountains before heading back for dinner. What a day!
: )

Slovene Home Remodel

I, Craig, am having a difficult time typing. My hands, arms, back, and neck are numb. Mariella and I had the opportunity to assist Brad and Laurels friends with a home remodel. We did some demolition on some massive walls. Most of the older homes in Slovenia are built with huge bricks and a bunch of concrete. We had a good time with Josh and Kristi. I think my arms are still bouncing from the jackhammer. I knew I was tired when I swung the sledge hammer and missed the wall and watched it go sliding across the room. I think I should lay off the chocolate chip croissants and start exercising more. The view from the house is great. An old rustic church can be seen just below their house. We watched the sunset between the earth and the storm clouds. The sun lit up the valley and snow covered mountains beautifully. Thank you Josh and Kristi for letting us be with you.

English Camp

Road Trip!



What a great weekend with some wonderful Slovene youth. We drove about an hour from Ljubljana to Fiesa near the town of Piran (population 4050). Upon arriving we were taken back by the beautiful location of the English Camp. The view from the hotel window was spectacular. We could look down at the crystal clear waters of the Adriatic Sea and watch people diving, fishing and swimming. In the distance we could see the mountains of Italy. The students and I (Craig) enjoyed swimming in the inviting waters. On Saturday Mariella and I woke up to the sound of rain and laughing teenagers who were running down to the water for an early morning swim. The high school aged students participating in the language camp attend a private school in Ljubljana. The students were very intelligent, well mannered, and spiritually introspective. Unfortunately our time with them was too short. Mariella and I would have preferred a week-long camp. I suspect the students would also vote for staying a week, but they must return to school tomorrow morning. The students English language ability grew as did our knowledge and understanding of the heart and ways of Jesus. We were all blessed and encouraged by our time spent together, each of us growing closer to one another and to Jesus. On Saturday afternoon we enjoyed a walk to the small town of Piran. Jane, the student’s teachers, led us around the city explaining the history and lay of the land. We enjoyed the impromptu singing of a song in the church overlooking the city. A highlight was walking to the top of the church bell tower where we were rewarded with great views of the town and the Croatian and Italian coastlines. We said goodbye to the students Sunday afternoon. We parted with the students singing us a Slovene song of thanks. Great kids! Great location! Great weekend! Thank you Jesus! We love living and are grateful for Your good gifts.
Pictures to be posted soon.

Arrived In Ljubliana, Slovenia

Yesterday, we arrived in Ljubliana to meet up with Brad, Laurel and their son, Landon. Mariella and I enjoyed long train ride through Germany, Austria and Slovenia. The scenery was breathtaking. Brad and his son Landon met us at the bus station. Later in the evening we enjoyed a walk through the city and a pizza dinner near Ljublianica River. Today we are preparing for a weekend English camp for high school aged students. Mariella and I will be teaching a class where we will lead the students in conversational English. The camp will be held in a town near the Adriatic Sea. We are excited about assisting the students with their English language development and building relationships with them. We will keep you guys posted as we are able.