Dr. Filomena

Before You Can Lead
You Must Learn how to Follow

The inscription above the arch is part of ‘Hebrews 13:7’ in German: “Remember those who led you”

“At times our own light goes out and is rekindled by a spark from another person. Each of us has cause to think with deep gratitude of those who have lighted the flame within us.”
~Albert Schweitzer (1875-1965)

Shine…

Last Saturday, I had the pleasure of meeting Raf at the Ahráyeph concert at the Lido in Leuven, Belgium.

What a great guy!
Note: He even mixes a fine daiquiri.

You might at times be able to find him at the Bar 33 in Leuven (Eng. Louvain), the cozy and picturesque capital of Flemish Brabant a short drive from Brussels.

The 33 is part of the longest bar in Belgium, which is composed of roughly 40 bars at the Oude Markt (Old Market). It rolls alternative rock music and while – obviously – serving good beers and other drinks including good whiskey, offers excellent cocktails at friendly prices in an equally friendly environment.

Proud owners of the bar who’d just taken over a month ago. I’ll have to go back just to see what more they’ve done with the place! I’m sure it’ll look great!

EDIT: Here’s a clip from the Ahráyeph concert:

Greetings from Luxembourg, everyone!

Here are just a few photos from Lake Zbilje back in Slovenia, taken last weekend, to keep the blog going at least a bit. Lake Zbilje is just a 10 minute drive from Ljubljana towards Gorenjska region and a lovely place to relax either on shore with a nice drink or ice cream and crepes or by taking a boat out for a row.

(Click images to enlarge)

Is that pretty or what.

Somebody’s been here…

See no evil, hear no evil

A full report from the Cow Ball in Bohinj will follow, but here are a couple of photos to start with.

Some things are bound to change…

…but thankfully, some will always stay the same.

Inspired by today’s Pengovsky’s Friday Foxy, I looked for my photos of the Triglav lakes next to the mountain hut (Koča pri Triglavskih jezerih) at the altitude of 1,685 m.

I didn’t get to see the mermaid, but found the views to be just as spectacular without her. It may have been the fresh air and the beauties of nature all around us or perhaps the sense of achievement after a rather long walk up to the cabin from Lake Bohinj… most probably a combination of both, but I was in awe. The only problem being that my sentiments were shared by easily over a hundred other people, most of whom had made their reservations and were able to actually spend the night at the cabin. There’s always next time, right 🙂

I couldn’t decide which of the photos I liked best, so am including several. Hope you don’t mind.

By the way, which of these photos do you think looks best? Don’t forget to click to enlarge.

My choice of video for the above photos that bring back lovely memories:

The eight-second video above (I do need to come around to buying a new SD card for Xavi!!!) shows but a glimpse of the fun had by the group of swing enthusiasts at Kodeljevo Castle in Ljubljana.

I’m seriously considering taking a class. The impressively quick feet or delightfully slow squeezes were such joy to look at. I haven’t seen that many people smile at the same time in a long time. The gals and guys meet at Kodeljevo every Tuesday night starting at 9 pm.

You must not lose faith in humanity. Humanity is an ocean; if a few drops of the ocean are dirty, the ocean does not become dirty.
-Mohandas K. Gandhi (1869-1948)

Spines may prevent enemy assault,
But make friendly hugs equally challenging.
(I took the photo of the above Eryngium two weeks ago in Croatia.)

He who would make his own liberty secure must guard even his enemy from oppression; for if he violates this duty he establishes a precedent that will reach to himself.
-Thomas Paine (1737-1809)

This is a shot of Črno jezero (Black Lake), which is one of the “7 Lakes of Mt Triglav”, the highest mountain in Slovenia and our national symbol, e.g. featured on the Slovenian flag.

Each of the lakes bears its own name that reflects its characteristics. When waters are high, Dvojno jezero (the Double Lake) becomes a single one and ss the spruce and pine tree forests around it cast dark shadows over the clear waters, it is called Črno jezero (the Black Lake). The waters are abundant with small fish and newts. And are the perfect remedy for tired feet.

The “7 Lakes” are positioned at altitudes ranging from 1319 and 2002 metres.

Črno jezero

By the way, I’ve been up to the lake twice this summer and both times, upon glancing the Black Lake for the first time, my mountainwalking partners exclaimed not “how pretty” or anything to that effect, but rather: “Hey, it’s not BLACK!” 🙂

Here’s a shot of Ian on our way to the Lake

This song seemed like a good choice here…