Which means, “Time for breakfast,” as I discovered this morning — although I know I’m spelling it totally wrong, that’s what it sounds like to my American ears. It also sounds to me like “house of breakfast,” so that’s how I remember it. Another new phrase I’ve learned — again, spelling it how it sounds to me — is “la ko noch,” or “good night.” Other than that, as I complained to Tina, there’s an almost total lack of cognates between English and Slovene, so it’s quite difficult to just listen and pick things up.
As Steve pointed out yesterday, there’s a wonderful opaqueness to a language you don’t know at all, and I try to listen carefully and just enjoy it. This morning there was a Slovenian rapper on the TV. Even reading street signs and trying to figure out what they mean is an interesting project.
My favorite street sign is one I’ve passed while running the last two mornings: “Pariske Komune Ulica,” or Paris Commune Street (I’m assuming). I think that’s pretty cool. This morning I ran straight downtown to the river, which is about the width of Town Lake in Austin, and has a narrow trail along the banks, although unlike in Austin I was the only soul out running. I crossed a bridge and ran back through the set-up for the Lent Festival, which was already kicking into gear. There was a sign for “Homer Dogs,” and a crude painting of, sure enough, Homer Simpson. I’m not sure if I should be scared of this.
Last night we went out for a drink and I have to admit I was a bit disappointed with the local brew. It’s called LaÅ¡ko and it came in a liter bottle. It was OK, but I guess I was expecting that every place in Europe would have a full-bodied, hand-crafted type beer, and this sort of tasted like plain lager to me. But maybe I need to give it another try.
Okay, first of all, you can’t complain about LaÅ¡ko; you just can’t! 😡
And here are the corrections:
Äas za zajtrk,
lahko noÄ,
and
Ulica pariÅ¡ke komune. Your’re doing well, though; you really are!
Visit the Honey Shop near Tina’s bloc. It’s a trip.
Is that the one in or by the Betnava Castle?
Was that a liter to share? Maybe you’ll turn up something better at Lent. Hope so.
Yes, if I remember correctly. Just before one reaches a major road and the foothills near the edge of town.
Well, the thing about LaÅ¡ko – don’t say it out (too) loud. 🙂 People in MB are kind of emotional attached to that beer, although it’s brewed some 60 km out of town… (you should have Union, it’s way more drinkable…but psst…don’t tell anyone I said it 😀 :D…)
Miha, that’s exactly what I was telling David. 😀 My friend Natasa and I actually didn’t let him order Union, hihi.
Union is just a plainer lager. I guess it’s nice if you like watered down beer without a punch. I do agree that Lasko is not much better and you have make some effort to find a better local beer.
LaÅ¡ko – you just can’t criticize it. That’s my problem with both LaÅ¡ko and Union. People drink them as a statement of identity – I’d rather there was beer served on the basis of quality and LjubljanÄani and Å tajerci were handed out green and red badges to show their local allegiance. I liked LaÅ¡ko for the first few years, but yes it’s a not-bad lager. Driving down the west coast of the US I tried at least 25 beers that were better, including lagers, stouts, ales etc.
It’s the dismal lack of variety that disappoints, plus the fact they don’t often look after the beer very well – usually (a few precious exceptions exist e.g. Sir Williams in Ljubljana where they care about their beer) in Slovenia a reasonable complaint about the draught beer being off is met with statements like “No it’s not”, (more than once>)”It’s supposed to taste like that” etc.
The best beer in Slovenia to my taste is from the smaller “handcrafted” breweries such Pivovarna Gold (FernetiÄi/Sežana), Ravbar (Domžale), Lipnik (Å marje pri JelÅ¡ah) … I’m afraid i’ve not yet managed to visit the Maribor ones – there’s a report and some links on this site (http://www.keighleyandcravencamra.org.uk/unofficial-business/slovenia.shtml)
My favorite is ÄŒrni Baron brewed by Union. But temno LaÅ¡ko isn’t bad either. It’s regrettably a matter of fact that there is not much of the brewing tradition left in Slovenia (the two brands LaÅ¡ko and Union are owned by the same company, as far as I know), which you would expect in Central Europe. A cause for that may be the ample availability of decent vine.
sound good, respect!
i like ur blog, write more..
One should always play fairly when one has the winning cards.