ifitwasmyhome.com is a little google maps mashup that lets you visualize the bp oil spill by superimposing it on your current location.
these things are always tricky to visualise, for lack of reference points, but this map shows a very concrete term of comparison: slovenia. the whole of slovenia is engulfed in that stain (plus big chunks of italy, austria and croatia).
for us living here, and exploring this country, it surely puts things in perspective.
if this country was a colour, it would be green. deep lush slovenian green.
Slovenia belongs to the most forested countries in Europe. 1,185,145 ha of forests cover more than a half of its territory (forestation amounts to 58.5%). Most Slovenian forests are located within the area of beech, fir-beech and beech-oak sites (70 %), which have a relatively high production capacity.
these are impressive numbers from the slovenia forest service.
“I said, hey, girl with one eye
Get your filthy fingers out of my pie
I said, hey, girl with one eye
I’ll cut your little heart out cause you made me cry”
hiking is the perfect sport for slovenia. with so many mountains and hills, it’s a pleasure to get on your feet and explore them. trails are clearly marked and well maintained – but the main one, the slovenian mountain path, takes the cake. it crosses the whole country, from maribor in the east to ankaran in the coast, passing though all mountain ranges. plus, on all the mountain tops, there are stamps that you can collect in a special hiking passport!
so, all you need is to get a few friends, some comfy shoes and a gps, and walk walk walk until you get to the top of a hill. then sit, enjoy the view, have a little picnic, take photos, and collect the stamp! :)
very important: when you get home, don’t forget to check yourself for ticks…
these were the only shots that survived my minolta’s broken speed shutter (horray for the holga’s lack of mechanical-things-that-might-go-wrong!). 10 minutes & 8 euros later, and he’s as good as new, the little bastard.
venice is a maze of intensity, the kind that leaves you with headaches from noticing all the details in every single facade. makes taking pictures a bit useless, ’cause you know it’s all been photographed before. you almost want to hate the city and yet… it’s irresistible. the tiny streets, the canals, even the swarms of tourists that practically drag you with them on a very worn out path. we’ll definitely go back for more someday.