The adventure of the missed train

March 28, 2008: Ljubluana
You know, it wouldn't have been so bad if the only other train didn't leave until 4 pm. That 6 am train was early to miss too. We sat for a while in that cold train station, trying to figure out what to do. Finally, we decided to try another train station because the one we were at had no open information desks.

So we grabbed our bags and hopped the metro across town. No luck there either except that they actually had people to talk to. We debated for a long while. If we took the late train, we would miss the bus to Plitvice. Was it really worth one night? We had already had to cut it down to two nights to be able to manage church. Finally, a bit frustrated and thoroughly exhausted, we decided to head to Slovenia then instead of later. We hopped a long train ride to Ljubljana, Slovenia.

Hours later, with only one misunderstanding about our rail pass (apparently Slovenia is not considered "Eastern Europe" as far as the pass is concerned) we arrived. We were able to find a place for the night, as well as one for the next (just not in the same room).

We decided to head out to Postojna Caves for the day. SO AMAZING! The Salt Mines were cool, but this was all natural. Stalactites and stalagmites. Columns and "curtains". Colors everywhere. It was so incredible. I wish I could show you pictures, but unfortunately, none of the computers will accept those pictures. I can see them fine on my camera, but when I try to upload them onto the website, they show up as an icon only. The ones you see now are Terri's.

Anyway, we started out on a little train ride into the cave, going through small tunnels and huge caverns. It was definitely a time to heed the warning "keep your arms and hands inside the ride at all times". Standing would be ill-advised as well. We felt like we had to duck through areas as it was.

I couldn't believe the formations. My favorite were what our guide called "curtains". They looked like ribbon or fabric coming out of the walls and ceiling. I loved it.

March 29, 2008: Headed out
After much consideration, we decided to head towards Trieste, Italy, so we would not miss church again. After the train ride and finding a pensione to stay at, we dropped our bags and went for a walk along the beach.

They have a wonderful park that looks out over the sea. Trees everywhere, kids playing, sun shining. It was great! Spring at last!! It was so nice to just relax in some warm weather. I even soaked my feet in the water...although that was definitely not warm. It was still fun.

March 30, 2008: Church in Trieste
Church was definitely wonderful. We had no trouble finding it this week. We were early though because we had to take public transportation. We talked to some of the members who also had to take the bus.

They didn't have an English Sunday School class for us, and there was only two languages this week (see church in Prague), but it was wonderful! There was always someone there willing to translate. In Sunday School, the Elders came in to help us out. Aviano (Elder) Whatcott, excitedly spent time with Terri. He's from Holden and was excited they knew some of the same people (he's a wrestler from Millard High and therefore know Adairs, Musselmans, Eldredges, etc). He's been in Europe for less time than we have, poor green thing :). He didn't do much translating, but Terri understood most of it on her own.

Aviano Ballard helped me. It was fun. Some of it I could get on my own by the words written on the board or the way the teacher said things (she was VERY expressive). Aviano Ballard supplemented what I couldn't pick up on my own.

Afterward, the teacher came up to me and jokingly accused me of laughing at her. I told her I was so excited that I actually understood what she was saying some of the time without any help. She decided to come and help us out by interpreting for Sacrament meeting.

So she translated for Terri when she needed it, and Aviano Ballard kept me informed on what was being said through the meeting. He also told me about different people in the ward. So many interesting people. I loved, loved, loved being there.

After the meeting was over, we road the bus and walked with all the Elders for a while until our paths no longer were the same. It was really nice to have some English conversation going on all around me. They were fun to talk to.

So ended our time in Trieste. The next day, we were scheduled to catch a bus to Umag, Croatia for our stay in a lighthouse...