Nature, nurture and culture

What is required for a perfect summer weekend for 1000.

Without much thinking – it’s too hot to think – these three words appeared as common denominators of the 7×3 photos below: a bit of culture, a bit of nourishment and a bit of nature, rolled into last weekend.

First we had pizza and beer (every chemist could tell you that when it’s so hot, alcohol in beer has no effect – the body embraces beer in its totality with utmost gratitude and then you need a second one) in Piran’s Tartini square with the concert of Slovenian singer Anika Horvat as the backdrop. I translated her song “Good night, Piran” on my first blog.

The next day two brothers took us first to Lake Bohinj where I used to spend a week every year with my parents and friends. I was impressed how the younger brother took us from Kranj to Bled along small country roads while we could observe traffic stalling on the highway. Highly recommended!

As for Bohinj, in twenty years cars and visitors grew in size and there is a strict no parking regulation outside the official parking area. We saw many violators with penalties attached. We had a lovely picnic there and the brothers swam. Then we went up to the Savica waterfall which will get its own post soon. And in the evening a lovely lady from Sarajevo, Amira Medunjanin, was waiting to sing sevdah, traditional Bosnian songs, for us gathered in the packed “Okarina” ethno festival hall.

A lovely last joint weekend of this Slovenian summer. Thank you to all involved.

Waiting for pizza and the concert to begin.

They stage concerts in the middle of Piran.

Anika Horvat is native to this part of Slovenia.

Bestia was a bit anxious. He connects night in Piran and music with fireworks for New Year’s. Luckily there weren’t any this time.

Uncle didn’t drink all of them by himself.

We were five. And they weren’t cleaning!

The next day in Kranj we found elephants.

Far from the sea, mountains are near, and yet this banana tree seems happy here in Middle Europe.

More elephants. Better than mere concrete blocks for sure.

Also in Kranj, Bosnian restaurant Das ist Walter. In Ljubljana there is one too and we always like to visit. Moscow and Istanbul are an hour ahead.

Some Bosnian memorabilia.

We took 10 čevapčići (meat rolls) and a spinach pie to go. The brothers prepared everything else.

The younger brother couldn’t wait to check out the water.

That’s the way!

Older brother is not drowning, just waving.

There was also conversation, not just action.

❤ Parla con le mani.

“Have a nice day”. Having!

The evening in Bled’s Festival Hall.

Annual “Okarina” ethno festival. Amira’s excellent accompanying musicians.

Amira Medunjanin is a flower. ❤ She says her concerts are not that but socialising and encourages people to sing with her.

Photo: © signature mmm

Just a taste, from another time: “Why should we hide our love”