Hiking, friendship, preparing food, food styling, photography and coffee. I wanted to register right away and to become a member of this tribe.
Coffee at 2000m - In dialogue w/ Ferntribe
Trekking in Morocco with Antea
Best day trip from Zagreb - lovely Ljubljana
Each of us has their own town, an hour or two away from the one we live in, to which we go once or twice every year. We go there to get a shot of inspiration, a taste of some design, a photography and a feeling that you have been far away. That you have crossed the border and maybe even taken passport with you.
So each of us knows the streets of that town, has their own place where the coffee is great, knows the slant of the sunrays on the main street in the golden hour. And when bags in which they are carrying the shopping done in those charming stores cut into their palms, they long for a couple of hours more to soak in or maybe hide, collect and file away everything that has happened that day.
9 am breakfast in Ek Bistro, a place that serves great breakfast in an unusual interior chock-full of great ideas, far from the hustle and bustle, a place reminiscent of student days in some country where we had been on student exchange. Or on holiday. A place to ease your way into the day.
10:30 am coffee in Tozd. Tozd is the place to start or finish your day. The place for sunrises or sunsets. For tousled hair, sun glasses, sitting cross-legged on the floor, for ideas, for the gang, for parents who do not wish to grow old, for kids hanging around those un-old parents. A place to pause and stay. For a long time.
At 1 pm I choose to have my lunch at Bazilika because it always reminds me that my life could be better and healthier. And that I should start right there and then, in the company of the great people running this restaurant.
2:30 pm a walk through Tivoli Park because one healthy turn deserves another. And besides, the park is close to Bazilika.
4 pm sweets in the Vigò pastry shop because that's what we always do in the lovely Ljubljana. We love the place. It is slightly touristy so we play the part although we know the town so well. And that's precisely why the ice cream there is just the way we like it.
Vigò Ice Cream Ljubljana photo
4:45 pm coffee-to-go in Črno Zrno, a place with top-quality Colombian coffee and a place to have what seems to be our third coffee of the day. Because the owner is great and we can chat with him about coffee, people and the country. And because it closes at 5 pm.
Črno zrno photo
5 pm shopping in Gud Shop for some more happiness, those little things that put a smile on your face and that we always keep close at hand. Or decorate our home with. Or ourselves.
For more adventures from Slovenia read here.
What is Swedish fika?
“Fika is “together time” over a coffee, tea and maybe a Swedish “bulle” or a cake. It’s taking time out, relaxing and chatting with friends, colleagues or family in a cafe, in the office or at home. I love fika <3”
It's easy to get used to fika in Sweden. Fika (pronounced “fee-kah”) is a daily ritual that is mandatory for Swedes (and Scandinavians). More than just once a day.
Fika is much more than just a coffee break. Fika teaches us that we should take time out, chat with colleagues, friends or family members over a cup of coffee and nibble on something sweet like kanelbulle. Or if you prefer savory, smörgås - open-faced sandwich - might be more to your liking.
Fika does not include a laptop or scrolling down your cellphone, fika is about people, talking, laughing. When it is fika time, those who happen to be on fika may not answer your call. Because the now that we seek and wish to live in is happening right now and requires complete dedication.
“People need to hang out to stay healthy. It would be strange if someone would refuse to go to “fika” with the people from their office... The job will always wait for you...”
I was thinking a lot about fika when I was in Stockholm, watching people having a fika. It was lovely to see them talking, smiling, with a cup of coffee in their hand. They were not always sitting down, those good looking Scandinavians were standing up more often than not and seemed to be immersed in the moment they were experiencing just then.
“Fika means connecting. It is the most brilliant , tasy and relaxed way of building network, hanging out with friends or spotting some new ones. Fika is cup of coffee, cinnamon bun and love. It’s a way of saying - let’s get to know each other - for real.”
My places in Stockholm for fika, taking a break, people, smiles, sweet and savory snacks, gentle atmosphere...
... for big decisions and first well told jokes, places for hellos and goodbyes, places where you ask for pastry recipes and place where you just quietly say "I'm happy" because that's what you really are, these places are...
1. Drop Coffee, Wollmar Yxkullsgatan 10, Stockholm (Metro: Mariatorget)
2. Pascal, Norrtullsgatan 4 (Metro: Odenplan) & Skånegatan 76 (M: Medborgarplatsen)
3. Kaffeverket, Sankt Eriksgatan 88 (M: S:T ERIKSPLAN)
TRUE adventure to Antarctica
Photo essay - Mölltal Glacier
“The mountains are calling and I must go.”
“May your dreams be larger than mountains and may you have the courage to scale their summits.”
“Every mountain top is within reach if you just keep climbing.
”
Enjoy Zagreb Like a local - part II
As mentioned in my first post about Zagreb, my favorite coffee place in Zagreb, Cogito, is the place where I start my journey through my everyday life. Close to Cogito is the Britanski Square, which enjoys the reputation of the most Zagrebian of Zagreb squares. The older generations are appalled by what the place has become. But we younger people find some events, places and people that pique our interest. We will happily stroll around this square on a Sunday. From early morning antique dealers start converging here, or rather, those who are reselling the content of their cupboards for which we won't get the price we'd like. Because they are merciless. And they know they will find the right customer somewhere among the stalls.
Up the hill from Britanac is where the quiet zone begins, the zone of happiness and first kisses of high school kids. Rokov perivoj and its little park provide a backdrop of old houses in which I would like to take that cup of coffee I was writing about. The third one that day. I wouldn't be loath to knock on your door and say, I've just come over to see how you live so that I won't ever again have to regret passing by your house without ringing the bell. But I never do. I just enjoy looking.
You can climb down from Rokov perivoj on two sides, one of which will literally drop you into a street full of beautiful men and women, gorgeous shop windows and the stories behind them.
I don't feel like going there today. I'm more interested in how you will react when you see what is above Rokov perivoj. I suggest you to walk over to the Museum of Architecture. Or rather, its building. The courtyard hidden behind it. Don't go there on weekends because for some reason it's not open then. Surprise them during the week. They will be glad to see you.
From the museum there are several ways to reach the center, the tourist mecca of Gornji Grad. Mine is the way you will end up telling about to your friends. The other is easily forgettable. Nothing wrong with it. It's just that is doesn't have the same effect.
It will take you 10 minutes to get here and another 10 minutes to reach the center. The locals don't really go here. Not unless it's on their way.
But true Zagrebians know this street and this part of the city. Its name is Jabukovac and it makes you think of the Jabuka club, the Arts Academy, sculptures in the forest and nice houses. I am certain most of the people in Zagreb had at least once (or even regularly) ended up in the Jabuka club. The club that has been torn down, a cult club where the 70-year olds of today used party hard in their 20-ies, collecting stories they now talk about while playing chess on Britanac. What a club that was! I too went to Jabuka (who didn't!) on more than one occasion! It is unbelievable how well I remember every single thing.
On Jabukovac you will also experience the rebellious spirit of the Jabuka bunch when you stroll around the Arts Academy and see what new things the students threw out. Into the yard. Because they don't need them anymore. Perhaps you will want to take something with you? Or maybe simply touch those textures they have been playing around with.
The Academy is surrounded by a park that is home to some of the sculptures by these young talents. Climb up because everybody does. Nothing will happen.
And yes... By all means, lean against one of Academy's windows. And just peak in like a kid... Keep peaking and let yourself feel.
And after this story go get a dose of Zagreb from your brochures. Don't let me drag you along one place or another that will stick in your memory. I might shake loose too many emotions. Raise too many questions... And the next thing you know, you will be sending e-mails, writing in, asking for explanations.
Climb up to Gornji Grad to experience history, take a picture, take in the view of the city. Go shiver all over at noon when you hear the cannon from Grič. Go get a story too. Because we have some great stories from Gornji Grad. Especially those by our great writer Marija Jurić Zagorka who lets her characters inhabit precisely this part of town. Her works have not been translated into any language, a sad fact. But you can catch one of the shows in English and Croatian from The Secrets of Grič, a project that takes you through the back alleys of Gornji Grad. Zagorka herself will take you there. Mostly in summer. Walking alongside her, you will find yourself immersed in a world from the early 20th century.
My Zagreb is slightly different, but it is mine. And when we lose each other, he and I, we meet up on Gornji Grad or in Rokov perivoj and realize that we are still here, for each other.
Photo by Sanja Bistričić
A Perfect day in Istanbul with Belkis
I met Belkis over Instagram and immediately fell in love with her photos and the atmosphere of her feed. I knew that it wouldn't be long before I ask her to be my guest on the Project: We Travel blog because I wanted to gain insight into her hometown Istanbul through her eyes and her camera lens. I haven’t been to Istanbul so far but I was sure that she would find a way to take me there. And she really did!
Stockholm Beats
Some of the things that I use change the pace of life so much that I sometimes wonder how I ever could have done without them. The things that enhance your every day, every moment, add bounce to the day, some kind of special energy, infuse it with spirit or comfort if necessary.
My trip to Stockholm last fall is etched in my memory by virtue of the songs I was listening to as I was walking around Södermalm and Norrmalm. It is hard for me to stop myself from singing in the street, so instead of hitting the high notes, I just replace them with a wide grin.
I also remember it for the podcasts I was listening to in the subway. Inspiring stories about slow life movement as I was hurrying off to get new stories and memories and meet the city.
And when they ask me what I will take away from some trip, apart from colors, fragrances and flavors, I always say, the Beats of the city.
Podcasts:
Ducks – a coffee place in Graz
Only steps away from the town's center you will find a true hipster heaven, a place for e-mailing, editing photos in Lightroom and writing a book. You will enjoy it equally with your friends or with your partner. Talking loudly about work, some college reference book or a great night out is also a part of the Ducks experience. It is certainly a place where you will want to SoundHound a song that is just playing so you can carry it with you wherever life takes you next.
You will like the space of this bright cafe with these fantastic details that you can't resist capturing with your camera. You can even buy some of them because they are really great and later on you will be glad to have done so.
Besides coffee, you can treat your palate with something sweet or make that milestone decision and order a healthy green smoothie. Tea is another great choice you can make there.
Find out more:
