Vienna: Spirals on Spirals

 

And so, here we were, once again in Vienna. This time with our friends John, Mariam and their daughter (Amalia's best friend since they were three years old) Eva. They've been living in Vienna for a few years now and, as soon as they found out about our plans to head to Slovenia, invited us to their place. But with our arrival in Vienna also came more connections and, as pappou calls them, spirals. Vienna, of course, was also the place where pappou and giagia had met, in earlier, younger days, when their life was still ahead of them and they had dreams and plans which had not yet quite been intertwined. 

Among other things was a walk through memory lane. Not our memory, mind you, but giagia's. Committed to following the steps spelled out (to the extent that they could) in giagia's journal, we made our way to Votiv Cafe. It was where they first met, on that fateful day in 1960 (we believe) and where they were introduced by a mutual friend who was also going to the University of Vienna. Pappou was looking to make some extra income by teaching English. Giagia was studying translation (focusing, in the university, on Greek-German) and wanting to broader her language repretoire. According to giagia's journal when pappou walked in she was immediately attracted to the tall, handsome man before her. But what stole the show was his response to "how much do you charge?". His answer, which is about to go down in history, was "one shilling and a glass of milk". It was that glass of milk that did it. Who would have thought that such a seemingly benign request could form the basis of a lifelong journey and amazing family that was to come. But so it was.

In our return to Vienna there was a bit of this and a bit of that, from trying to catch up with the journal (Turks park, anyone?) to sharing the present with our friends - including walks in the vineyards. Time is an amazing thing and when you can share both the past and the present with those who mean so much it's truly very very special. And so, sweet time, tick on, and take us with you, in spirals upon spirals. 

Bled with Friends!

 

Ever since moving to Vienna, being with our friends John, Mariam and their awesome children has required a little more deliberation and coordination. But just as they made their way to Paros earlier in the summer, so too were they able to make their way to Slovenia! Our arrival in central Europe opened to the door to a potential reconnection with them that would be a pity to not take advantage of. And so, as we made our way to Lake Bled they also did the same and we were able to spend a few quality days there, in the town and the countryside and, in the process, managed some time in nature (including an introductory rafting experience for the girls)!

Lake Bled did not disappoint. Neither did that entire corner of Slovenia. It seemed like every other kilometer a turn one way or another would take you Italy or Austria as much as it might keep you in Slovenia. Pretty cool concept for us all antsy with anticipation of whether or not we'd end up in a foreign country without intending to (in the end there were no missed exists). 

All the while we recognized just how special this place is. This particular corner of the world seems to be one of those places where wonderful things happen yet it's only just being discovered. Sorrounded by forests, filled with opportunities for being outdoors it's as if you wouldn't dare to stay indoors, especially in summer. We were filled to our heart's content with the natural beauty that stood there, holding our attention as if to say "you can't help but stare". It was (and is) simply amazing, really. 

And so, in there somewhere, friends came together (yet again) to re-connect and experience one more stretch of the world together. In a world where we all live in different corners, such opportunities are wonderful ways to build on a strong friendship will, simultaneously, celebrating new discoveries!  How awesome that, though living so far apart, we are able to do this so often!  We love you!

Ljubljana: Simply Wow!

We got off the bus in what seemed to be your average European city, with its smattering of older buildings nestled in the block style modern buildings that so often seem to lack the inspiration and intricacy of the past. We got out luggage, flipped it onto our backs and followed a map "that way". As we gradually moved closer to the center of the old town the 'yawn, been there, done that' gave way to "oh my goodness, this is gorgeous"!  One couldn't help but find one's self taking photos of pretty much every building, the river the people the nooks and cobble stoned streets, the boats, the castle. And then to realize that our very own Airbnb would be nestled right in the middle of all this was a bonus we hadn't bargained for!  

Ljubljana did not disappoint. Friendly, cozy, small and easy to get around yet old(er), sophisticated, outdoor and welcoming we found it fascinating and walked, and walked and walked its streets, along the canals, people watching and enjoying every moment. The food was wonderful. The place, right out of a fairy tale. And all these years ago, when daddy had somehow, informally, placed this city on his 'bucket list' he hadn't realized quite how impressive it would be.