One of the joys of travel is hearing the stories of locals. It has been suggested that, just occasionally, I am a little too forward, and that people mightn’t actually want to talk to me, have their private time interrupted, or have their photo taken. However as soon as you tell someone you’re from Rosewood……..

This is Sarah. She lives outside Ljubljana on her parents’ farm where they grow pumpkins, not for the flesh but for the seeds. The seeds are roasted then pressed for the oil. Pumpkinseed oil has been shown to be more addictive than heroin – the three of us are now hooked thanks to her. It is not used for frying, but rather is sprinkled over salads or rubbed on the bowls in which vegetables are served, and it is absolutely superb.

She said everyone at her school smoked except her, even those in the youngest grades. After she was caught the third time in the girls’ toilets not smoking she was expelled and had to find a job – so she went back to the farm. At least that’s what I think she said, but I will admit my Slovenian has lapsed somewhat.

This is another very grumpy Santa. We have seen him playing Christmas carols and singing in an American accent in one of Zagreb’s beautiful parks every time we have visited Zagreb, and even when I put money in the tin it won’t make him smile. Perhaps he just wants me to sing along? The Slavic cultures don’t go much for Santa anyway, children believe it is Jesus himself who delivers the presents and the parents will ring tiny bells after the children go to bed- these are Jesus’ footsteps. Santa is just an extra, so I suppose it’s no wonder they’re all so grumpy.

These are two of Margie’s People. When I asked the older one on the right if I could take their photo she actually told me to go away. I took a photo anyway. That’ll sure teach her a lesson.

Ksandro, (the person on the left just in case you were unsure,) trained as a lawyer in Tito’s Yugoslavia. His wife Ivana trained as a tour guide and they own the unit in Zagreb in which we stayed. Varazdin was his home town, and he took us for lunch in a traditional Croatian restaurant- in Australia it would be called ‘Ye Olde Cvapcicii and Roasted Lambe Shoppe’. Delicious indeed. A number of people, including Ksandro, have told us that they much preferred Tito’s Yugoslavia to democratic Croatia or Slovenia as there was a similar level of freedom – but with far less corruption.

We met Lea whilst having our morning coffee. She is still at school in Ljubljana and was obviously such an intellgent young woman. She went to a state school in Ljubljana but felt like she didn’t fit, so convinced her parents to enroll her in Ljubljana’s Steiner School. Her passion is to one day work in the Social Services – and I will confidently predict that she will succeed in that aim. Her mum is Taiwanese and dad is Slovenian. Her dad wanted to improve his English, so got an English speaking Taiwanese penpal. Lea and her two brothers are the end result. Sort of like Slovenian Tinder I guess?

I have no idea who this is. She was posing for her boyfriend on Ljubljana’s most famous bridge, so I took her photo as well. I told him to move back because my camera’s much bigger than his. She agreed.

On that note, I’d better let you go Farquar, I have Lucca to explore and more locals to talk to! Speak soon

F C-S