Living in Slovenia
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Diana Evans
Moving to Slovenia
Slovene Culture: Final chapter
16.05.2008
I intend this to be my last article for the Slovenia Times.
For nearly five years I have been living in Slovenia and writing about my experiences in The Slovenia Times. As the newspaper celebrates its 100th edition, and I have been writing in it from very nearly the beginning it is time for me to bow out. I have tried as an ex-pat British woman, to give a balanced view of what I have experienced and seen, which is mostly in Maribor, but I hope I managed to convey to Slovene readers what a British person notices and to non-Slovenes what it is like to live as a foreigner in Slovenia.
Slovenes still ask me all the time why I moved to Slovenia. Most find it hard to understand why I would prefer to live in Slovenia rather than in the UK: So, in spite of some negatives, let me now tell you now why I still live in Slovenia!
Firstly and most importantly, the kindness and openness of the people. Neighbours, acquaintances, people I don’t know at all who are willing to welcome and help a foreigner.
The lifestyle. This is hard to explain, but let me tell you there is an advertisement running in UK newspapers saying that British people throw away a quarter of the food they buy. I just cannot imagine Slovenes doing that. People are more careful with their money, with what they buy and about what they throw away. People use the things they have and pass them on to others if they don’t need them any more. In our area, a twice a year collection of large unwanted items is enough for most people. People seem to care about the environment. There is little litter lying around and the country as a whole is clean and tidy. People look after their homes and gardens and take a pride in their own appearance. There are a lot less overweight people than in the UK due I believe to eating less processed food and also exercising more; less TV watching; more sport and other healthy activities. (I have lost weight since I moved here!).
The countryside. I love the fact that there is natural woodland nearly everywhere, lakes and rivers with clear water and little obvious pollution, beautiful views and although Slovenia is small there is a lot of different kinds of countryside from the coast to the lakes and mountains. Not many small countries can offer so much and Slovenes are rightly proud of their country.
Travelling around. I like the fact that there are sufficient roads for the traffic on them, in other words, there are not too many traffic jams and you can travel round quite easily on good quality roads. The trains are good value and clean and get you there on time. I like being able to visit interesting countries nearby, without having to get a ferry or an aeroplane. Another good thing is that whichever way you are travelling, Slovenia is close to the UK by air and the travel is cheap and easy, especially while there are flights to Maribor. (Why are they not continuing?!)
It’s a small world here in Maribor. Not everyone wants to live in one, but I like it. Everyone knows everyone and walking around town always means meeting, by chance, someone you know and usually going for a quick coffee together. But it is never crowded in our small world. When I go back to the UK, I feel claustrophobic. I feel lost that I don’t bump into anyone I know and nobody has any time for a stranger.
At the moment it feels safe and secure living in Slovenia. Whilst crime exists, it does not dominate life like it does in some countries, where you have to constantly be vigilant about your possessions and your own personal safety. I am not nervous about walking through Maribor at night and there is less abusive drunkenness than is evident in many British cities at night.
Nowhere is perfect, but I believe Slovenia has a lot to offer both the tourist and someone looking to settle there. Thank you for all your letters over the last 5 years and if you are ever in Maribor, I am always pleased to meet readers, so do get in touch.
(diana_york@yahoo.co.uk)