Thu 29.Oct.2020
California
Imagery - Piran, Slovenia - Ocober 2007
Slovenia is an Alpine country, with a narrow arm to the Mediterranean,
across the top of the Istrian peninsula.
Slovenes joke that they have more coastline on their largest lake than
on the sea. Still, this short coast includes a working port, a mass
package-tour resort, and a dazzling former fishing village. A short ride
from Trieste, Italy, and here we are!
Is Piran is too charming for its own good? In high season, the
narrow twisty Venetian-era streets can be difficult to navigate through
shoulder-to-shoulder crowds of visitors. Some on side-trips from Venice,
others from the nearby mass resort of Portoroz.
Early October is another story. The gem of Slovenia's tiny coast on the
Adriatic sparkles!.
Sign Spotting
This part of Slovenia has a large Italian minority. Italian is a second
official language here.
Venetian rulers marked their territory here with their trademark bell tower,
and the characteristic off-pink of some buildings.
The blatant souvenir shops are few for the peak crush of visitors.
On a small square in the heart of the old maze, a cafe-bar features a
tri-lingual menu.
The choice of languages must reflect what the customers speak.
Or perhaps they are simply going for coverage: one slavic language,
one latin, and one germanic.
Notice how many more vowels "prosciutto" uses in Italian than in Slovene!
The late sun puts a glow on the harbor.
