Day 18--Clay tennis courts and in-line skating in Slovenia

We are now heading north and entering Slovenia.  Pour Venice, Munich, Salzburg and Vienna in a blender, whiz it up and you pour out Slovenia!  Half the size of Switzerland with twice the panache. 

But, I am ahead of myself.  Some interesting sights as we leave Croatia. Our first stop is in Porec and its famous 6th-century basilica.  If you want to see 1400-year-old mosaics, this is the place to be.  Since this basilica has been around since the 600's it is also an excellent example of how cultures of history look at life differently than we now do.  Let me explain.

Modern times dictates that when we discover a new example of cultural history we value it as we try to uncover and discover what it is we have found.  Not so historically.  This basilica is a good example of 'decorate not venerate'.  This basilica and most other cultural icons have been rebuilt and remade endlessly throughout history, frequently using the building materials of other 'icons' to do so.  Again, their attitude has been to 'improve, not preserve'.

                                   

A great example of mosaics 'in situ', where they were actually placed in the basilica
I was so hoping this was a bathtub, but alas, no one bathed back then.  This is for storage.

                                                   

Interesting how the universal symbol for Christianity evolved from the mosaic

on the left,  fish with sharp teeth, to the gentle flourish on the right!

Now, on to Ljubljana, the capital of Slovenia.  A great city, a great square and we discovered a great Indian restaurant for dinner.  Great bridges that cross the river that bisects the city, butcher's bridge that is transforming into a love-lock bridge ala Paris and Florence, dragon bridge and triple bridge.  Great places to people-watch.

Kinda an improv 'flash mob', once they finished dancing they passed out brochures tho.......

I'll pass.

Speaking of people watching.  As mentioned in the title, Slovenia's are active.  No Candy Crush for them.  Lots of bicycles all over, (no helmets), joggers, joggers with dogs, skating and maybe not so many people smoking.