Saturday, 7 February 2009

A little Slovene story before to go

I left Ljubjana and took full south unitl the Croatian border. I had seen on my map a little mountain road : far of the main traffic axe, with the same distance, with some supplie points until Rijeka on the adriatic coast. So, I'm gone. As planned, I'm not far of the border at the end of the second day. A bit lost, it's true, but it's not important. In fact, the road is a simple way with no tarmac like a simple forest way, and there is no signs to help me. And since one hour, I'm alone in the forest... no more cars since the last intersection... Not important, I continue in the south : a way always arrive somewhere. So, at the evening, I decide to camp in the forest not far of the way.
At midnight, a car wake me up.
Lights, klaxon.
I know the music, so I don't worry -> put out of the bag, looking for my trousers, and go out.
Another klaxon. Yes, OK, I come !
Indeed, it's a police 4x4 patroling in the forest. A woman and a man, youngs, speaking english, ask me what I am doing there, and precise me it's forbidden to stay here. In fact, they worried about me : I am at 3,5 m of the Croatian border (indicated by an old white painted square on a tree : I thought it was a forest mark !), and I risk to pass in Croatia without visa, which is forbidden. And this way is regularely used by illegale people who want to go in Europe. And to finish, the forest is full of wolfs and bears...
I have got 10 minutes to build back my tent.
4,5 minutes later, I am in their car.
Policemen are very nice people, and they dive me until a house where someone could guest me. It's a hearty guy, who let me sleep in the garden (I remember you I disturbed him at 1 a.m. !). I juste take 2 seconds to look at the sky full of stars, and I sleep.
In the morning, it's sunday, but my guest is awake at 8 o'clock for me. This time, take the time for civilities. He's called TONE (say "Tony"), offer me turkish coffee (very good !), and we take the sun and talk together during one hour. He speak me about Slovenia, the forest and bears, his friend Hervé, a french guy, etc... Then, He offer me to take a wash and a glass of a special alcohol he do himself ! a wonder ! And we talk nicely until 10 a.m. Then, he offer me a second glass when I speak about starting, and come back with an empty bottle he fill up and offer me. I know I should refuse it. 1 kg of glass + 1kg of alcohol = too much on my back. And alcohol is not realy compatible with my activity...ottle of alcohol in my bag, and I have enought to go until Istanbul ! If someone ask me, I will say it's for the pharmacy. Service obligation, it's just a formulation...
So I go, to join the main road until the official access of Croatia.

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