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The train arrives in the capitcal city at half past midnight, where I say my farewells to the two Slovene students. As they told me the country was super safe, and as it’s too late to get an hostel for the night, I just go for a stroll. Ljubljana for me alone! Seriously, for a caapital city, in the middle of the night it is dead quiet, even in the middle of the touristic center. I appreciate this moment of peace, and even climb to the castle. I circle it and then go down by an unlit path (I had to use my headlamp). Truly, the attraction I feel for Slovenia is beyond magnetic.

However, we are still very much under that cold wave that hit me in the face a few days ago, and tonight is getting freezing. I’m tempted to enter a bar but it’s nearly 2 AM, they will soon close anyway. Instead, I go back to the train station, and I’m very very glad to find an open waiting room. It’s full of people, and it’s still cold af, but better than outside for sure. I lay on the floor, in my sleeping bag for its inauguration night, trying to ignore the local drunk who was yelling (but at least in a happy manner) all night.

I barely slept and the 5 AM train was more than welcome. I managed to peel open my eyes to admire the rising sun’s light over the Slovene hills. Things of beauty. But it’s goodbye for now, and hello Italia!

Quick unplanned train change in Opicina, to Trieste. I get some breakfast, and a couple hours of waiting.

On the Trieste-Venezia (Venice) train. And there disaster struck: the only Torino (Turin)-Chambéry train of the day is full! Ah, why didn’t I make a reservation earlier?! Well, because I didn’t want to risk the excessive 33 euros for a simple seat.

On the Venezia-Milano (Milan) train. I weigh my options. Choice 1, take the last first class seat on that TGV, 170 euros; Choice 2, go to Antibes and then pay 100 euros to Toulouse; Choice 3, stay 24 more hours in Torino, and pay the Lyon-Toulouse train as planned. I go for option 3. Good thing I have some leeway.

On the Milano-Torino train. I’d like to celebrate the 50th train of the trip, however there is still one big issue. ALL accomodations in Torino are full or overpriced (at least 60 euros a night, no thanks). But it’s the same everywhere I could go easily by train: Genova (Genoa), Milano… all full for tonight somehow. Once in Torino, I devised a few plans:

– Plan A: Sleep outside for a second night in a row (zero euros, 90% chance of succes – the rest is hypothermia)

– Plan B: Couchsurfing (zero euros, 20% chance of success)

– Plan C: Go to a bar until it closes, and try to make some friends and get their pity (about 20 euros, 5% chance of success)

I go initially for plan B, but as it doesn’t seem to work at all, I keep thinking. And I got it, the plan D that will put me out of my misery: you’re with an Interrail pass in a country full of night trains, use it you dumdum!

And that’s how, after a pizza, I find myself in a night train to Roma (Rome)! I have a full compartment for myself, it’s warm, comfy, and only cost 43 euros with the pass. Awesome choice! I finally can have a comfortable night. Also I learned that « Donna » is the Italian for « Woman »(-only). Oops…