It's been a long time coming, as it is often said. After months of deliberating and deciding whether to be or not to be...on a plane to Europe, I finally took up on the invitation that was generously bestowed upon me by a dear and special friend in Slovenia. Boarded the FinnAir flight to Helsinki connecting to Ljubljana at the Indira Gandhi International Airport, New Delhi, at 10:30 AM. Thankfully, my baggage did not invite any excess like it so often does on my domestic travels! The flight was pleasant and I felt more energetic than expected. I didn’t get much sleep the previous night because the man I was going to travel halfway around the world for, my "host" for the trip, insisted that we stay up all night talking and I make up for the lost sleep on the airplane instead. Perhaps, the frozen, icicled Finnish salad on the plane revitalized my nerves and supplemented the 2 cups of coffee I did not get to consume in the morning like I usually do. We landed at Brnik Airport, Slovenia, at about 6:30 PM, local time. The spectacular aerial view of the airport and its surrounding areas were so captivating that for a few moments I forgot why I was feeling a bit jittery in the first place. The Slovenian topography with the Alps in the horizon looked so welcoming even from a distance. It got me thinking of journeys through enchanting places; watch beautiful nature and sunsets, walk or drive through the glorious countryside with its rivers and lakes, beautiful country homes, take hundreds of pictures and enjoy the warm hospitality of the first Slovenian family I am to meet and acquaint myself with.
Us, the authors of this blog last saw each other back in the Summer of 2007 at the University of Northern Iowa, USA, where we both pursued our university education; him, an undergraduate in Math and Computer Science and I, a graduate in English and Women's Studies. Six years have passed since. Through these years, we kept in touch, extended invitations for a meet-up to each other but somehow, things never materialized...perhaps, because they were always done in a lighthearted vein. Other than that, we both had our own interests: personally as well as professionally and most often than not, could never come to a compromise on whether, when and where to meet. Thus, to be able to create this opportunity for ourselves finally after all these years and many experiences after seemed curious and almost surreal. Having somewhat reassured myself that we would never meet again in this lifetime but to be proven wrong, to be given another chance by life, or by the mysterious ways in which the universe works was something strange but wonderful. We knew we were going on a vacation but we also knew it was potentially going to be more than just a vacation for the both of us.
From a distance, I saw a familiar face as I wheeled my luggage towards the exit door of the Brnik Airport. He looked like a little boy at unease from something but gathered his composure soon after. When I saw his face, I giggled, just like I imagined I would. He seemed oblivious to what was going through my mind as he helped me with my bags. Or perhaps, he was as nervous as I was, who knows? There was barely any time for me to soak in the atmosphere. I wanted to pause, stand still and hug him but he tried to scurry out of the crowded airport lobby. So I played along and decided to leave my theatrics, perhaps for another time and place...
From a distance, I saw a familiar face as I wheeled my luggage towards the exit door of the Brnik Airport. He looked like a little boy at unease from something but gathered his composure soon after. When I saw his face, I giggled, just like I imagined I would. He seemed oblivious to what was going through my mind as he helped me with my bags. Or perhaps, he was as nervous as I was, who knows? There was barely any time for me to soak in the atmosphere. I wanted to pause, stand still and hug him but he tried to scurry out of the crowded airport lobby. So I played along and decided to leave my theatrics, perhaps for another time and place...
As we arrived at Andrej’s home, his parents greeted me at the door with so much warmth and smiles on their faces. There was absolutely no sense of awkwardness even though I felt a bit sheepish. I guess that’s what great people and hosts are made of; they make you feel right at home. I hugged them both and thanked them for having me over at their quiet and beautiful home. I deliberated whether to hand over the presents I bought for the Poljanecs on the day of my arrival or at a later date. I did anyway. Andrej’s Mom was thrilled to see me come bearing gifts that I should say are specifically Indian in taste and look, such as the authentic/organic Darjeeling and Assam tea that I had handpicked for her from a famous tea boutique in New Delhi. But I think she was most impressed by the Pashmina shawls that I got her. Andrej had warned me that she did not like loud, jarring colors so I went for the natural Pasmina color which is a darker shade of grey and the other one in a fawn-like subtle shade of cream. All of the men of the house got books that were about India, more specifically for a person interested in hiking in the Himalayas or courting the spiritual nuances of the country with its sacred geography and monuments. Andrej got Bibles in my language, Thadou-Kuki and Manipuri and a copy of my favorite book by Márquez. Later, I gave him a cursive writing practice book for children...he knows the purpose well. Everybody seemed happy and grateful for the little gifts I got for them. But I was most gladdened by the fact that Mrs. Poljanec seemed awe-struck by the presents, from the wrapping papers to the contents. My intention was to impress her more than anyone and I think I succeeded in doing just that, at least with the gifts! I was totally surprised when she decided to put them on display at the kitchen counter for the next two days or so! And how can I forget the amount of pictures she ended up taking! Such a great lady, so full of life and vigor!
I got a lot of sleep on the plane so I didn’t mind when Andrej suggested that we would go downtown to check out his university and the city. I must say Ljubljana exceeded my expectations. It looked and felt so much better than the popular pictures I see on Google image. We walked through the crowded streets that were bursting with energy from weekenders and street performers. We then sat down for some Slovenian beer, Laško. Andrej said they were bad beers. I disagreed, even before trying it. He suspected I knew nothing about good beers. I begged to differ, as usual. I tried and said they were “not as bad” as he claimed. He just replied with “wait for Czech.”
To wrap up my first night in Slovenia, we went to the theatre to watch a scary flick, “The Purge.” It must be the worst movie in the history of Hollywood horror films but I enjoyed the experience of sitting in the theater next to the homeboy. He said I passed out on his bed that night and he had to lift my heavy butt back to the guest room. It probably happened, or, it did not. No pictures for proof so I say his claims are null and void.
They boiled their food, not because the water is dirty, d**. That's the way foods are prepared over there!
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