IRL Rookie: Ljubljana Edition

After spending so much time working remotely and communicating through screens, messages, and online meetings, suddenly spending a full week together felt slightly unusual.

I had heard about previous IRLs, the work sessions, the activities, and the adventures, but until you actually experience one, it is hard to know what it will really be like.

As it turned out, it was a brilliant mixture of work, food, exploring Slovenia, and discovering just how unfit I really am.

Monday - Work and Padel

We started with the State of Niteo presentation, followed by lunch and an afternoon of workgroups. It was great to finally put real people to all the names and faces I had previously only known through a screen.

So far, so good. Then came padel.

As someone who is not remotely sporty, I am not sure “match” is the right word for what I, personally, contributed. While everyone else seemed to understand what they were doing, I mainly concentrated on staying alive. By the end, I was completely exhausted, but it was a brilliant and very funny way to finish my first day.

Tuesday - Workgroups and “A Small Hill”

Tuesday was a full day of workgroups, or so I was told, with a small break for lunch on Šmarna Gora. I had forgotten to check what Šmarna Gora actually was beforehand. An epic fail on my part, as I was soon to discover it was the name of what the others casually described as a hill. Maja and I would describe it more as an attempt to climb Mount Everest.

We both died a peaceful death somewhere on the way up, but once we reached the top, the views over Ljubljana made it completely worth it. They were absolutely breathtaking.

Wednesday - Exploring Ljubljana

On Wednesday, I skipped the scheduled workgroup in the morning and took the opportunity to explore the centre of Ljubljana.

I borrowed a bike, which felt completely unnatural to me but seemed perfectly normal to everyone else, and cycled around the old town, stopping to look at the historic buildings and landmarks. I saw the famous dragon on the bridge and then decided, for some reason, that another uphill walk was a good idea.

So off I went to Ljubljana Castle, once again being reminded that I seriously need to start training before next year’s IRL. The climb was worth it, though. Ljubljana was beautiful, and it was a lovely chance to see more of the city.

Thursday - E-Bikes, Caves and Questionable Decisions

Thursday was easily the biggest adventure of the week.

We started with an e-bike ride through the Slovenian countryside (a polite way of saying another hill), and it was absolutely amazing. The ride itself was beautiful, the scenery from the top was breathtaking, and the bike’s turbo mode deserves a special mention for keeping me alive. Without it, I may still be halfway up the mountain.

Next came Križna Jama, where our tour guide clearly deserved a pay rise. I have never met anyone so passionate about their job. Judging by her excitement over every bone we came across, I think she may have missed her true calling as a palaeontologist.

After the cave, we had a five-course meal of what I can only describe as proper Slovenian grub. Then came clubbing. The whole gang went out, let their hair down, and finished the week together in the best possible way.

Friday - The Less Said, the Better

By Friday morning, the hangover had arrived. I genuinely cannot comment on the final workgroups or wrap-up because I spent most of the day in bed before travelling home. Still, it felt like a fair price to pay.

Overall, my first Niteo IRL was amazing. Slovenia is a beautiful country, and finally meeting everyone in person made the week even better.

I arrived not knowing what to expect and left with some brilliant memories, a new appreciation for Slovenia, and the feeling that I was no longer just working with a team online - I had finally become part of it.