Europe 2007                                           
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Slovenia (cont)

The Hotel Jezero, we stayed here for 3 days 

So there you have it - Slovenia in pictures.  We took literally hundreds of shots, but we obviously can't put them all on so we've chosen what we think is a good representation of where we stayed and explored around lake Bohinj. 

Of course we can't  leave here without some comments about the people, the hotel and the area etc.   We'll take the hotel first, usually this would be part of the accommodation pages but it requires a bit more than that.  The Hotel Jezero is listed as a 4 star establishment, but at best it merits a good 2 star. It's only when we look at the plaque at the entrance we notice the 4 star rating was awarded by the Slovenian Ministry for Tourism!   Which brings me to the point of why I've commented about the hotel here - it's all about attitudes, and the star rating of the hotel reflects perfectly the people of Slovenia. i.e. they have very a over inflated opinion of themselves.   Their country is undisputedly beautiful, and they rightfully want, and need to capitalise on that to create a profitable tourist industry here to boost their economy.  Unfortunately they're not very, "user friendly". On a few occasions we witnessed people having ordered food, being brought the wrong items, and every time was met with a refusal by staff to accept they'd made a mistake.  One guy ordered an omelette and found himself staring at a plate with Squid on it!  When he mentioned it to the waitress - who looked like she'd be more at home driving a Ukranian tractor - he was met with absolute aggression, and disbelief that he'd complained. No apologies from the woman, she actually stood and argued ..........And, this is their problem, they're never wrong, and will argue the toss no matter what. If this is typical of the people here, it's not a good way greet tourists who bring much needed cash into the country.

We were told a story about Slovenia: it's often commented what an idylic place it is and the story goes, that God having divided up all of the land and countries, amid all the pushing, shoving and shouting peoples of the world, never noticed the poor Slovenians waiting patiently for their turn to be allocated some land. When he'd finished they asked him, "God, what about us?"
He looked at them and said, "I'm sorry, but there's nowhere left"
"But what are we to do - where will we go?"  God thought for a moment, rubbed his chin a bit and then came up with a plan,  "There is one place" he said, "But I was keeping it for myself, for my retirement. I suppose seeing as how you were overlooked I could let you have that". So, he did and that's how the Slovenians come to live in such a beautiful place - God's retirement home! ....... Load of bollox - The Slovenians would have been at the front of the heaving masses arguing with God that he give 'em some prime real estate!

But, it has to be said that the Slovenians are the total opposite to the Italians, put them in a car and they're the most  patient and well mannered people!  If you're just doing 10mph - they'll sit behind you all day without any complaint at all......probably because they all drive Ladas and they haven't got the power to overtake!  I suppose it's being different that makes the world such an interesting place. someone once said that travel broadens the mind. I think this is only true if your mind is big enough to accept it in the first place. Now we head home........................ 

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