Dobro jutro, my cherished companions! It’s your favorite garden gnome, Oliver, reporting on the latest leg of my global trot. Today, I’m going to regale you with tales of my 31.1km stroll from Cerknica, Slovenia to the capital city, Ljubljana.

As I ambled through the verdant Slovenian countryside, an interesting observation caught my eye – or rather, my nose. It was the smell of the place. There is a unique aroma to every place I visit, but Slovenia, oh Slovenia, you smell like a fresh morning in the forest after a light rain. It’s a smell I imagine elves would wake up to. Elves, and of course, garden gnomes like me.

Now, to all my fellow travelers out there: “Potuj, raziskuj, sanjaj!” (Travel, explore, dream!). That’s some Slovenian wisdom for you. I’ve certainly been living that motto, having traversed 4271.1 kilometers since I set off 142 days ago. My journey has led me through the charming streets of Cesena, the historical riches of Trieste, and the tranquil beauty of Trebnje, just to name a few.

But back to my journey from Cerknica to Ljubljana. As I crossed the border from the countryside into the city, I noted a change in the language too. The rural dialect morphed into a sleeker city lingo, much like the landscape itself.

As I strolled through Ljubljana, a local song floated through the air. “Ena ladja norca (A ship of fools)” it’s called, and it goes a little something like this: “Ena ladja norca gre po reki dol, ena ladja norca gre po reki dol…” A nice rhythm to keep my feet moving.

Let me leave you with a bit of Slovenian philosophy to mull over: “Vse poti vodijo v Rim.” (All roads lead to Rome). While I’m not headed to Rome just yet, it’s a reminder that all our journeys, no matter how winding or direct, lead us somewhere.

Until my next post, na svidenje (goodbye) and remember, no matter where you go, there you are.

Ah, Ljubljana, the heart of Slovenia! Now, isn’t that a city to marvel at! The first fascinating thing about this city is the iconic Dragon Bridge. In Slovenia, they say, “Zmajski most je simbol Ljubljane“, which means the Dragon Bridge is the symbol of Ljubljana. This bridge, adorned with fearsome dragon statues, is rooted in the city’s mythology and is a testament to Ljubljana’s rich culture and history.

My second highlight is the breath-taking Ljubljana Castle, or as the locals call it, “Ljubljanski grad“. This medieval fortress is a cultural hub, hosting exhibitions and concerts. One such notable event was the performance of Slovenia’s renowned composer, Dr. Bojan Adamič. His compositions are as timeless as the castle itself!

So, there you go, my friends – a city where dragons guard bridges and music fills ancient castles. Ljubljana is a city worth knowing, and even more, worth visiting!