RIBA

Zagreb

Amazing lunch with Ksenia & Fra Tomislav in prep (and brain storming) about Mladifest (a Croatian version of World Youth Day) for Croatians in North America.

We had a long long lunch with champagne, wine, port then and espresso!  To eat we had what looked like quesadillas with tiny pieces of seafood, then a lovely octopus salad and then a whole sea bass that was packed (encased) in sea salt and baked... WOW. A local (from dubrovnik) dessert "rožata" with a scoop of tutti frutti Italian I've cream was served with spiked sorbet that we drank to finish off the fiest. 

Later we visited Tajci's cousin Duda and Zvonko.  They are very fun and lively.  Tajci ate knedli with apricots (covered with breadcrumbs fried in butter) and I had a beer/lemonaide (no kidding).  It was very light and refreshing.  It was quite big and I was driving their van back but they said "never mind it is only 4.4% alcohol...

We looked at the wedding book of the Hrvoje and Nikolina (their eldest son).  They were married in a church built in the 3rd century - quite old and beautiful. Where Tajci sang ave Maria and then at the reception got everyone singing with her old hits. 

After that we went to see Mimi and Tonka!  Had a coffee and relaxed a bit.

Kids couldnt sleep (time change and wired because we were heading for coast in the morning).  Tajci and I had to repack the clothes/stuff.  One bag stayed in Zagreb. One to be shipped to Zadar (concert).  One for the boat (4 days) and one for the two weeks on Pelješac.  Huge pain in the keester.  Good thing Tajci is the BEST packer in the world.  Regardless we were up till 3am 

No insurance = awesome

Parks in countries without insurance - who would have thought how much better "stuff" they'd have to play with.

The boys LOVE this contraption.

It was, to be honest, the first time I've told them to be careful in years (I try, as a rule, to let kids be kids).

In my defense the top - and they ALL went all the way to the top - was at least 30' off the ground!

I'll take more pics of cool playground gear as we adventure.

More to come!

Matthew
Bundich Park
Zagreb Croatia


Note to LinMarie: Stefica worked with Dante and Evan and got them to count to 20 (after that it repeats) AND the alphabet.

Travarica

= brandy made from grass and herbs.

Nice beginning to a traditional Bosnian meal of chavapi!
(I know, I know... It's not 'normal' to eat Bosnian food in Croatia. But why not?)

Eggs (yes I mean eggs)

This is the color of eggs when chickens eat BUGS.

And they taste like ... Hmmmm... Hard to explain: like all the eggs you ever ate where mere shadows of eggs.

Probably like when we meet God... The joys of life will be like a shadow of the love that was to come.

And THAT is the most philosophical and theological explanation of an egg you are likely to hear on this fine morning.

tmblwd
Zagreb, Croatia

Overnight flight & Sherlock Holmes

Easy overnight flight. We had a long delay in Washington DC but it did give us time to relax (all the packing is long over and the trip well begin).

The other advantage is the flight left at 10pm. The boys (and Tajci) were out cold by 11pm! I (oddly enough) don't sleep well cramped up sitting on a plane. However I did sleep about three hours or so and feel pretty good.

I watched the "new" (2nd one directed by Guy Richie) Sherlock Holmes and enjoyed it. Goofy, popcorn movie but perfect for a plane.

Tajci wandered off about an hour ago (probably relishing being in Europe) to get expresso's. She's been "off coffee" for a couple of months and has been looking forward to having an expresso right about now... But where on earth is MINE :)

Another wait.
Another flight.

Enjoy the moments :)

Dayton Airport