Post # 5: Slovenia: Ljubljana

The flight from Sevilla-Barcelona-Ljubljana went very smoothly, arrived in LJ on time to a relatively new airport. My mercedes taxi (it was either that or a BMW and I'm no dummy) took me to the center of town where I was to search for accomodations. I had purposefully not booked something because I didn't want to make the same mistake I made in Sevilla (reserving a room in a hotel that was in the "center" of town only to find out it was 10 minutes by cab away). My virtual assistant sent me a listing of approx 10 places to stay all within the city center. Problem # 1...the list was several days old. Problem # 2...not only were the world championships of Belgian Shephards this week, but there were Fashion events, and some kind of guiness recordbook high school dance thing. Summary: all rooms booked. Holy horror show batman.

As I'm walking out of the 5th hotel I inquired about, I remembered the first hotel had an internet cafe right behind the reservation desk. So, I stroll inside past the bellman, mumble "checking in" to him, walk past reservation desk like I was a guest and sat down at the terminal. Jedi mind trick works every time. I've never typed so quickly in my life. www.hotels.com "no vacancy for my requested dates". www.hostelS.com ONE vacancy in a 6 bedroom suite!!!! wow! I get a bedroom in a 6 bedroom suite for $34 bucks, awesome....click reserve, write down address, close browser, wipe sweat off my forehead, walk out.

Well, after 30 minutes of walking in circles with my bags (a lot of stuff that I'm going to have to send back home) I finally found the place. 3 floor walkup...ok, not too terrible. Walk inside and I'm greeted by a very nice woman who explains the situation, takes my passport, and shows me to my 6 bedroom suite. Video of my suite is below.

Now, I've been to sleep away camp, so this set up is very familiar. I wasn't prepared for my first ever hostel stay, but it was here and it was here quickly. She hands me a towel, points to my bed (yay! i'm on top at least), and leaves my "suite". At this point, I'm literally soaking wet with sweat and decided to take a shower while nobody was home. It was roughly 2 pm so everyone was out seeing the city and I was blessed with privacy. Showered up, sat down, filmed the video, and apparently dozed off sitting up for about 2 hours.

I then leave the hotel and immediately come accross this scene in the park....I was outraged but sadly, the office for tourist information and/or complaints was closed.

Apparently it's part of some kind of fashion week event and that's partially the reason I couldn't get a hotel room. I stayed at this outdoor runway show in the park for a few more minutes then headed towards the river. Please excuse the poor video in this one, I was walking and holding/hiding the camera in the palm of my hand down by my waist....a little shaky to say the least. In any event, you'll get the picture....bars/outdoor cafes all along the river that surrounds Ljubljana castle...a few bridges back and forth.

I have more to post on the second part of the evening, but these videos are taking forever...I'll do them later.