I am certain this was an instagram caption for one of my Slovenia pictures but I’ll state it here too: I didn’t know Slovenia had a coast until I was told by Mr. N at the Indian consulate. First things first: It was stupid of me to think that I could’ve made a day trip out of this. I probably should’ve spent a night here because I ended up paying close to a €100 on the way back since I missed the last bus and the train. And that’s a pretty standard price. If Europe has taught me anything, it’s that cab fares are astronomically high so unless you have all that dough to waste because you’re bleeding to death or are made of money, avoid them.
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My first encounter in Piran? An elderly man who struck up a conversation with me on the bus inviting me to his house to stay. He said it had the best view of the entire coast and the bus driver didn’t disagree. Then I met a local artist who I ended up wining and dining with in his studio. Some local wine and vodka, grilled steak and we were set. He didn’t speak much English but he seemed happy with the company. Safe to say that he almost fell off his seat when he saw my SLR.
He ran across to an old trunk and stared digging up his cameras! He said that he could never find time to venture out and buy film so when I offered him an extra film that I had, he was so ecstatic, he have me one of the camera! A Voigtlander Best Rangefinder. But since it requires a 120mm film, I unfortunately haven’t gotten around to shooting with it as yet.
We were visited by a couple of his friends who I thought were just a tad bit shady. So far the conversation had been light and casual but his friends (a man and a woman) were rather persistent that I stay the night. It wasn’t that I felt fear of being killed or robbed but let’s just say that they seemed like they were planting some intentions into their friend’s head. I mean, you don’t need to speak the same language to get the gist of things. This push-and-pull conversation was what led me to missing my connecting bus to Ljubljana and setting me back by a good €100 which, if I have to be honest, is still painful.
I think Piran during the summer would be beautiful. I sat right below the walls of a church and had my lunch (bread and cream cheese. Sorry. It doesn’t get better than that) with the view of (what I think is) the Adriatic. A cool blue with a boat in the view. There was such a peaceful energy in that crisp autumn air and I couldn’t think of being there with anyone but by myself. More often than not, I truly do prefer solo travel. I do think that there are some places where I would love company for but so far, solo traveling and living has been lit!
The town of Piran is like any European town. By which I mean perfect cobbled stone laneways, picture perfect coloured houses and a sunset like no other. There are these amazing stairs that lead you right into the ocean if you want to take a dip and I have to confess, I really wanted to. But because I didn’t see anyone else, I just wasn’t sure. Had I been there earlier in the day, perhaps? It reminded me a little of Clovely Beach in Sydney with the concrete platforms perfect for lazing life away. And if you’re like Anakin and don’t like sand, it’s an added bonus.
Slovenia is definitely still a hidden EU gem so I would do what I haven’t done so far: I recommend ye visit!
