Slovenia has been described as the "cutest" of the former Yugoslav republics, and I couldn't agree more. It's got a blend of Slavic and Alpine (Austrian) cultures, which makes sense. Ljubljana may be small, but at the same time it's so grand that you don't even care. It's like a super compact version of Vienna or Prague without being the tourist town or museum. That's what makes it such a highlight for me. It's pleasant enough to take a stroll in or get your errands done, whether you're a tourist or a local. And I'll definitely be sad when I leave; I've really enjoyed the few days I've been here. I'm going to have to come back for sure.

So I've reached the tail end of my trip. I'm heading up to Vienna on Saturday, and catching my flight out on Monday morning. And as always, I won't want to leave Europe. Every time I've been in Europe I've been so happy and carefree. It's so easy to connect with people here and I always learn so much about myself. When it came time for me to leave after my big adventure in 2004-05 I would have sold my soul to the devil to stay here forever. I knew there was still so much more to see that I could have spent the rest of my life exploring the continent.

This has definitely been different from my previous trips in Europe in that I've experienced some culture shock and mishaps along the way. But that's what keeps Europe exciting; it's as vast and varied as Asia. It's a continent that will keep bringing me back again and again. I can say that with Asia as well, but Europe has that timeless appeal.

One experience that's universal around Europe: the Champions League Final. Last night I watched it at the bar at my hostel in Ljubljana. It was an interesting match, being that the two teams involved were from the same league and have a storied rivalry. It was a hard-fought game all the way down to the penalty kicks. I'm normally not a sports fan in the States (I've never attended a pro sports game and can't remember the last time I watched the Super Bowl, oh wait I did watch it the year of boob-gate) but in Europe I've always been sucked in enough to attend a live match. I watched the final of the European Championship in 2004 on the 4th of July in Washington DC (it was pouring rain) and followed the 2006 World Cup pretty closely. I wish I could be around for the European Championship this year. Sometime, I'll have to be here for that, or the world cup.