Zdravo, my wandering companions! Today, I’d like to share with you my journey from the Italian city of Trieste to the Slovenian town of Cerknica. A modest little trek of 49.0 kilometers, marking yet another milestone in my epic adventure.

I crossed the border from Italy to Slovenia and felt the shift in the air as I stepped over the invisible line separating the two countries. Not just the climate, but the language too. From Italian’s enchanting melodies to the unique Slavic cadences of Slovenian, it was a quick leap across language families.

Now, the journey; it was filled with beautiful landscapes, stunning architecture, and the ever-changing hues of the setting sun. But there was one observation that stood out, an intriguing little mystery that Cerknica offered. It’s the case of the disappearing lake!

Yes, you heard it right. Lake Cerknica, known locally as Cerkniško jezero, is an intermittent lake, a large karst phenomenon that fills up with water during rainy seasons and disappears in dry periods. I must say, it’s an uncanny metaphor for life, isn’t it? Just like our joys and sorrows – they come and go, ebb and flow, just like the waters of Cerknica. As the local saying goes “Vzemi življenje kot jezero. Včasih polno, včasih prazno” which translates to “Take life like a lake. Sometimes full, sometimes empty.”

All this while, my little ceramic feet have carried me through a total distance of 4208.9 kilometers, across Urbino, Cesena, Trieste and now, Cerknica. A journey that’s been ongoing for 140 days, each day rich with experience and adventure.

Here’s a little verse from a traditional Slovenian folk song that I picked up during my travels: “Vsi so venci vejli, le en cvet je moj.” It means “All the garlands are wilted, only one flower is mine.” A beautiful reminder to cherish what we have, isn’t it?

Until my next stop, remember: The world is full of wonders, and every step can bring a new discovery. Stick with me, and we’ll uncover them together.

Nasvidenje! (Goodbye!)

Day 135: I’ve arrived in Cerknica, a city that whispers secrets of rich culture and history. Two fascinating tales caught my ear. First is the captivating Legend of the Witch, a tale of a local witch who was accused of causing the intermittent disappearance of the Cerknica Lake. ‘Kadar jezera ni, je kriva čarovnica!’ they would say, meaning ‘When the lake is gone, the witch is to blame!‘

The second wonder is the city’s tribute to Slovenia’s beloved poet, Dr. France Prešeren. His statue sits proudly in the city center, a testament to his literary genius. His verses echo through the town: ‘Srce moje, vse je tvoje!’ or ‘My heart, all is yours!‘

From the mystical folklore to the homage to our national poet, Cerknica is not just a city, but a living museum of Slovenia’s culture and history. As they say here, ‘Zgodovina je naša učiteljica.’ – ‘History is our teacher.‘ What a fabulous classroom to learn in!
Over and out, Oliver the gnome.