Day 47 : 8th July, 2012- Vienna to Maribor, Slovenia

I got up at 6 am and after sometimes Himanshu also got up. After a relaxed morning and good shower we went down for breakfast on the ground floor. There are a large number of families and a school group of small children who had come. It was organized in a hostel style. The breakfast was buffet style consisting of  bread, butter, cheese, honey, fruit, meat, tea, coffee, juice, omlette and boiled eggs. After the breakfast we went up to the same room where wifi is there and talked to Shashi and Sudhanshu on skype. Bhabhiji has also come there. Vinod Bhaisahab spoke my name today for the first time after he had problem in May this year. Then we went to market to see if any hair dresser shop is open. My hair has grown in last 40 days. But today is Sunday and all shops are closed. Himanshu came with me to the station and remained there till the train was about to leave.

I am on my way to Maribor, Slovenia, the venue for the 49th IYHF/Hostelling International Conference. The train left at 11.02 am from Vienna meidling station. It will reach Graz at 13.33 hrs. I will get another train after 20 minutes and then third train for 18 minutes journey to Maribor. The scenery is beautiful. I could see the Alps mountain range and everywhere greenery and small villages.

This is the third train. From Vienna I came to Graz and then to the place called Spiedel Strass. Maribor is 18 minutes journey from here. This is a Slovenian train. Almost similar to Austrian train but difference in maintenance. Train from Graz was not AC but this is cool. I have seen one woman probably from the conference. I reached Maribor Railway Station which was nearly empty after passengers of this train got down. There was no sign of conference either inside or outside. There were few people outside the station.  Today is Sunday and everything is shut. I went across the road to bus stand to get Bus No 6 for the hotel. Someone told me that its bus stop is further. I kept on walking till I reach another stop. Bus came at 4.33pm and took another 30 minutes to reach its last stop where Hotel Habbakuk is situated.

 There is a hill on one side of the hotel with ski slopes. Other side was also hilly area. There are many small hotels and bed and breakfast guest houses and camping area. I entered the Hotel. Alison and Steve Greenwood whom I was sending my write ups were there. They greeted me and were happy to see me with packsacks. Pakistan delegation had just come in Taxi and some others were standing to get their rooms. I registered myself and got room no 408 on 4th floor. I collected my room keys and a T-shirt from Slovenian YHA desk.

It is a normal room. I unpacked and was ready for reception at 6.45 pm. Most of the persons have come. Many commented that I was looking young and fresh. Venkat and Nongsian,  both Indian YHA delegates had come,  Royte and his wife was there too. We were having talks and some scheneps to drink. Igore met me when I entered the hotel. We then took ski lifts and went up the hill where there was also a hotel. Dinner was served here. Igor gave welcome speech followed by students union President, Deputy mayor of Maribor and the Edith where she officially opened the conference. There was no other important person. Slovenia is a small country and you could not expect much. Dinner was ordinary or normal. Mostly beef dishes were there but soup and salad was ok. Some wine was also served. Pakistani friends were not satisfied with the dinner. At 9.30 pm we came down via ski lifts back to hotel. Some delegates and observers were staying in other hotel cum hostel which was 10 kms away.