Random trip to Republika Hrvatska (Croatia)

February 10, 2008

As most of you might know, I am in France teaching and helping out with other things when people ask me to, learning to cook, trying to pick up Portuguese with close to little study (I need to work on that these next two months) and in the search for grants for my master’s degree and work. So far I have been accepted to George Washington in DC, UGA in Athens, GA and SIT in Vermont. Waiting to hear about the money ordeal and from Columbia University. Anyhow, having tourist status in the European Union (don’t ask…every time I have studied or worked in and for France I have had legal issues, but just like stubborn Hillary, it isn’t in my nature to give up just like that…although I think sometimes Hillary should but that’s besides the point) So, being a tourist I needed to get out of the European Union since my visa was expiring. So we found cheap tickets to Croatia and decided to take advantage of February vacation and head out to change the scenery a bit. We don’t have a train station deep in the province of Brittany in the town of Pontivy where we are living, so we headed to Auray to visit one of my friends from last year’s Guiana adventure since she’s been living in Brittany this year as well… her city has a train station. We had a pleasant evening with all her fun friends and headed the next day to the “gare” (train station) to head to Paris. In Paris all we got to see was boulevard Montparnasse before arriving to the metro station to the airport and from there to the capital of Croatia, Zagreb. Most of older downtown area Zagreb reminded me a bit of Prague. Tall, majestic buildings with lots of cooper-colored and orange roofs. There were lots of beautiful monuments, buildings and parks but mixed with modern construction too, sadly. People out and about since 6 am crowding the streets. The more modern part of Zagreb actually looks a lot look Santiago - tall modern skyscrapers (banks, pizzerias, expensive clothing shops, pharmacies) all conglomerated in one square with wide plazas and streets in between them. All very square and modern-looking.

After visiting Croatia's capital, Zagreb, we had an interesting discussion with the young owner of the hostel about politics and Croatia’s EU admission. He was disappointed overall, because Croatia’s admission into the EU was delayed from 2009 to 2011 due to the actual politics of the country and the switch of government parties. He felt that Croatia had huge assets to offer EU (great vacation destinations on its coastline, savory cuisine, numerous cultural events, alternative museum options, the constant hosting of several international festivals and successful sports participation worldwide) and regretted this delay, mostly because it doesn’t allow him to travel or study as easily in other countries such as the U.S. I recommend his hostel “Carpe Diem” for 15 euros a night, a bit pricey but not too far from downtown and they’re very friendly and helpful. I also recommend the wine (since they have good weather all year round in certain parts of the odd-shaped country, they are able to produce excellent wine). The dark beer isn’t too bad either. We took a night train to Bosnia and Herzegovina to visit the capital of Sarajevo (loved the run-down, old-school look of these trains - reminiscent of some Italian ones I’ve been on, - plus we had a cabin all to ourselves).