How did you end up at the Postojna Cave Park?

I’ve always been interested in tourism, and when I saw they were looking for new tourist guides, I was instantly intrigued. It is difficult to get a job as a full-time guide. It’s not a common thing. I was drawn to working with people from all over the world. People come to Slovenia just to tour Postojna Cave! I liked that and when I applied, I loved the dynamic work. The day goes by in an instant! Besides, I think this is the most stress-free job, of course, if you like people. It’s a really nice job and you get home after it, you are feeling relaxed!

What’s the one thing you like most about Postojna Cave?

I honestly think Postojna Cave is one of the most beautiful caves in the world! Anyone who likes discovering new things – natural and cultural heritage – should come to Postojna Cave. Even after two years of being in it almost every day, I still find it WOW! I’m amazed that we have this awe-inspiring thing in Slovenia! You really have to come from the other side of the world to see something like it.

And the visitors from Italy that you usually guide – what do they like most?

Italians are well familiar with Postojna Cave and most of them have been here before. So they know exactly where they are going. None of them comes here in flip-flops and a mini skirt, which is quite common with other visitors. The Italians have plenty of karst areas and they know caves. They are always amazed by the sheer size of the cave, it seems endless: first the train ride, then on foot, and the subterranean halls that open up, the aquarium. Wow! So many colours, so many cave formations... Of course, one of the most common questions is whether you can eat olms and what they taste like.

And what’s you answer?

Often they ask this is a joke. But I usually tell them that it is a protected animals species, and that their question is justified, because 200 years ago people used to sell olms in a market in the city of Trieste. 

What part of Postojna Cave do you like most?

The Beautiful Caves and the White Hall. It has an abundance of flowstone formations, lots of stalactites and stalagmites. It really feels like a fairy tale.

It’s not only children who absolutely love the cave train, you do too. Why did you want to take the cave train driving exam?

Ever since I started this job, I’ve loved talking to the enginemen and a couple of times they suggested that I could drive a cave train, “Why not, it’s not that difficult.” Maybe the railway is my thing because my husband works at the railway company and I spend all day listening about trains! (she laughs) When I told him that I might take the cave train driver’s exam, he supported me, “Absolutely, I'll envy you this all my life! You have to take the exam!” And before I even managed to apply, an older colleague of mine – a cave train driver – announced that I would also be taking the exam this year. He did as a bit of a joke and also out of curiosity. But the main reason I decided to do it is that I really love our team! I knew we’d have a good time learning to drive the train. And the extra skill certainly won’t go amiss. And it's only when you pass the exam that you actually understand the whole cave tour system. I can say that it was only with this knowledge that I realised how important the safety precautions are, which the guides are always reminding visitors about.

What was the most useful piece of advice you got from the older generations of cave guides?

“Less is more!” There’s loads of information at the beginning, and from the moment you become a licensed cave guide, you find everything so interesting, all the things you have to tell the cave visitors... Most people are so fascinated by the cave and by everything they get to see, so the cave guides are just the icing on the cake. Your job as a cave tour guide is to give the visitors a warm welcome and to answer their questions if they want more information.

Is this your dream job?

No doubt. I love it.

What’s the one thing that means the most to you about your job? 

Sometimes you get a cave visitor who is so grateful that you don’t even know why, and at the end of the day you have some endless satisfaction that you did your job well. 

What makes a good cave guide?

First of all, you have to like working with people, be patient with them, you have to be accommodating. I like travelling, but here you actually have the feeling that the whole world is coming to you. This is definitely not the job for those who prefer to sit all day long.

What does being the first female cave train driver in the history of Postojna Cave mean to you?

All the train drivers, cave guides and guides on duty shook my hand and congratulated me, which made me feel really important (she laughs). Women drive cars, there are female train drivers, there are female pilots, and maybe now it’s time for a new era to start in Postojna Cave, when women will not only be guides, but will also drive the legendary cave train!