Day 4: Ljubljana

Parking at the zoo or near the university, 4 km outside the city center, is quite possible. It's easy to ride a bike to the city. In the first few kilometers, the area still seems quite rural. The path leads through the large Tivoli Park, which is typical for the green city of Ljubljana. The city has about 280,000 inhabitants. The comparison to Freiburg is quite appropriate here. Students, many small cafes and bars, and a car-free old town... I don't stand out much with my bike here. It almost feels like home.

With the plan to visit some 'sights', I set out for the city center like a real tourist. First, coffee in one of the inviting cafes, preferably where the (old) locals also enjoy their espresso or a Lasko in a sociable round.

In Café Shakira, I am joined by a couple living here and a law professor (with hat and leather jacket). Having a couple of beers here, we have a relaxed conversation. Of course, they also have some insider tips for their hometown. They have traveled around a lot and there is a lot to tell. The initial plans are put on hold. The sun is shining, Lasko tastes good... So go with the flow.

In Slovenian weather fit for a king, with a feeling of 20 degrees in the sun, I finally make my way to the first sight. Luckily, it's centrally located. In just a kilometer, I go up to Ljubljana Castle. They say it's 900 years old. The view from up here is stunning. The comparison to Schlossberg is obvious.

Almost starving, dangerously low on blood sugar, I start looking for a restaurant. It should be cheap and local. Who doesn't know the feeling, with an empty stomach and the phone in hand, searching for a needle in a haystack. Spoiler: The search ends in an overpriced franchise fast food place. A beautiful glutamate bomb, but at least it's warm. The picture of this is sad.

After hearing about an autonomous center called Metelkova several times, I didn't want to miss this tip. It sounded really promising. The former site of the Yugoslav People's Army, which was occupied by activists in 1993, is near the train station and has since become a colorful, autonomous place for art, politics, and many events. Nicer place. I'm told there will be a trash metal concert in the evening.

In just one day, the city has won my heart. Great city. Okay, enough. In the category: Cities, it gets 9.7 points today.

Other:

Public toilets are only illuminated with black light, meaning no regular light, so it's pitch dark. Imagine trying to do your business with your eyes closed... I've never practiced that before, so it's quite challenging. At home, in the dark, I would at least have some trust in cleanliness, and my standard is a shared toilet in a flat.