Slovenia :: Cerklje na Gorenjskem {Day 1}

This past week was holiday for the university. 

Originally, we had planned on staying home and studying a LOT. 

Then we found cheap, last-minute flights to Slovenia and our plans changed.  

We hopped on a plane with only a couple backpacks, 

and an hour later found ourselves in Slovenia.  

Night one we stayed in an adorable B&B/hostel called Mama's House.  

All accommodations were found on Airbnb.

We highly recommend :)

The family picked us up from the airport

and we were transported to their home in 

Cerklje na Gorenjskem. 

We were shown around the house and given a welcome drink and treats. 

The family gave us a nice overview of the town, 

outlining where to find the bakery and the market, 

a good pizzeria, and the church. 

We dropped our bags and set out to explore the small town. 

I had remembered to pack the camera batteries and memory cards, 

but somehow managed to skip putting them in the camera, 

so I don't have any pictures. 

We grabbed some food at the market for lunch the next few days. 

I was giddy because everything was so cheap!

(perhaps we've been in Switzerland too long...)

Cheese, crackers, clementines, dried apples, and a big loaf of fresh baked bread for 7€. 

We dropped off the food, grabbed the camera battery, 

then walked to Pod Jenkovo Lipo for some pizza. 

 These pictures really don't depict how beautiful this town and the restaurant were. 

We were so pleased when we asked how much water would cost, and the waiter said, 

"uh, free?  It comes from the tap."

Finally. 

Someone understands that water should be free!

We ordered the specialty pizza and salad. 

Yes, that is an egg on top.  

Yes, there is also asparagus. 

Yes, there are a zillion-and-a-half ingredients in the salad. 

And it was quite good. 

There was so much food, we couldn't finish it all. 

We were again pleased when the waiter offered to box up our leftovers. 

Can you believe this massive pizza and salad cost 10€?

After dinner we walked back through the town and watched a breathtaking sunset. 

It was at this point that we had to stop and pinch ourselves 

because we could not believe that this was real life.  

Upon returning home, we conversed with some of the other travelers, 

and even translated between German and English for a couple of the guests!

But, we needed to get a good, long night sleep 

because the next few days were going to be jam-packed with adventure. 

Lugano & Como

A few weeks back we took a day trip with some friends. 

On our drive we stopped in Uri to take pictures, 

and happened to be at the Tellskapelle. 

We drove a little further to our desired destination, 

Lugano, Switzerland

After roaming the streets of the old town and walking by lake Lugano, 

we decided to drive over the border to Como, Italy.

Soon our bellies were full of yummy Italian pizza, caprese salad, and gelato. 

We finished the evening with a stroll along the lake. 

We tried to see the Tempio Voltiano, 

but it was closed for the day. 

A quick drive home, 

then we all crashed in bed for some much needed sleep 

after a long and fun day on our feet. 

Our friends made a vlog of the trip too!

A Clear Day

What do you do when you have been stuck in a lab all day and it is beautiful outside? 

Go to the mountains, 

that's what. 

After school we took the train to Uetliberg to watch the sunset, 

then make the short 1 hour hike down to our new home. 

Sometimes, when the air is just right, the mountains are magnified 

and appear so close that you want to reach out and touch them.

From the top of the tower we could see the whole stretch of the alps on one side, 

and our village on the other.

As the sun sank, the mountains became even more visible.

These pictures cannot do it justice, 

but we will definitely be taking all visitors
to our favorite spot in Zurich.