The same question was asked over and over by local people interested in my opinion about their hometown. People seemed disappointed when my answers were positives with an smile on my face. “Do not these people like their own town?” I asked to myself many times. But when I got to know them I realized they are actually really proud of the place they live in, as well as used not to hear good things about it. I felt a general feeling of lack of confidence caused by bad opinions coming from out of the region of Zasavje. Opinions that in this time I have been here, I have already heard, the same way I saw those sceptic faces when I say that I am happy to be in this region.
Then it is my turn to ask how they like it here and also they smile and even though they do not know how to explain it they love it. A constant contradiction. In fact, very few times I heard wishes of running away or living abroad, or even closer, in Ljubljana. Then I guessed there had to be something they were attracted to, something they want to keep in their lives. Not definitely pollution and gossiping, the two most repeated words when complaining. From the general view I noticed a discomfort with the cement factory in Trbovlje even though I think it provides many jobs in the region and regarding the gossiping, everybody talks about someone else’s talking about others. A vicious circle not to worry about. Although it is pointed out as their worst fault I just consider it normal given that the size of the city.
Ultimately I consider Zasavje towns are family living places where even though they are small, I do not really miss the facilities of a big city. Be at the top of a hill driving half an hour, walk twenty minutes to work or meet your friends everyday are things that I really appreciate. But the major surprise that I run to was the education, how the children and youngsters are encouraged to talk foreign languages and how excellent the result is. On the contrast, I also noticed that the average age to go to high levels of education and to finish these studies is higher than in my home country since they alternate working and studying, often prevailing the first one.
So, why do they like it here even though they do not believe I also do? What do they make them stay here? Maybe are the quietness, the contact with the nature, the safety, the “dober dan” with unknown people on the streets… in short, the same reasons I have.
