Reflection...

Coming soon!

The End and the Beginning...

August 4--- We met with a woman from parliament and she gave us a tour. We talked a lot about windows... I don't really remember why... but supposedly they've changed a lot due the conflicts and status of parliament. We also had a meeting with a Serbian entrepreneur/apprentice NGO. They take Serbian rural children and teach them business skills in order to improve their lives and opportunities. They've been around for about a century so they've seen a lot of changes in Croatia and the Former Yugoslavia, especially in regards to them being able to help Serbs. 

August 5—This was our last day. We gave  presentations on articles we read about the E.U. Mine was about international aid and its failings/struggles in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Today was also a national holiday, it was the day Croats kicked Serbs out of knin. That made it a very awkward day as a foreigner, but it was quiet and peaceful. Families were out with their children and I visited a café that smelled like horses, here I read and drank cappucinno.

August 6--- We're leaving! How bittersweet. This dialogue was amazing, but I'm excited to continue my travels with Ben and Isabelle to Dubrovnik (Croatia), Budva (Montenegro), Tirana (Albania), and finally to Athens and the Greek isles to meet my boyfriend.

We arrived safely in Dubrovnik and have the most adorable apartment (thanks Ben!). It's run by the sweetest most hospitable family. We have a kitchen, a terrace, internet, and laundry!!! After five weeks... that is a blessing. It's cozy, beautiful, and hey, also historically and culturally relevant! There are bullet holes in the facade from when the Serbs gunned down this side of the river. It is also protected by the state and city because the architect who built the city walls around Dubrovnik was born in this house. How cool is that? Did I mention its meters away from the water, has fresh fruit growing everywhere (limes, lemons, grapes, pomegranates, plums, etc.) and laundry?! I am so happy.

August 3

Today our meeting was with the foreign policy advisor of the Croatian president. We went to the president’s palace,  which interestingly was a former tito building. He was really interesting and insightful to Croatia's path on becoming a part of the E.U. He was also more straightforward and honest with us than other politicians we've met. Best part of my day though was getting dark chocolate and hazelnut gelato from Vincek. I've been a lot of places, but no place was this good. Highly recommended if you ever find yourself in Zagreb. 

August 2

So far, today has been a favorite day of mine. Our group left the hotel early for a hiking trip through the Plitvice Lakes. These lakes are part of a Croatian National Park. Neeeeeedless to say, they are gorgeous. It was kind of strange too though. Throughout the day, it wasn't always hiking, but following a huge group of tourists on a tiny river plank or bridge to the next big scenery. Luckily, we started filing and finding our way past the big groups to the more isolated parts of the park. We went through the entire park and saw small and big waterfalls, lakes, forests, creeks, and mountains. On our way to the BIG waterfall is where I got separated. It was such a huge place, you had to take trains and ferries to different parts of the park and I got a little nervous when I lost my friends. I also took it as time to self-reflect and meditate while hiking. I found my way back to the bus... slightly late... but in one piece. It was a really divine day. 

August 1

I'm staying in a hotel near the lakes and we're hiking them tomorrow. I'm excited. Today, on our way here, we stopped at a really funny truck stop. It had a strange diner/mini mart with vending type games and attractions as well as a dining hall with huge taxidermic animals arranged in games of poker, singing, dancing, and playing instruments. Outside there was a petting zoo that included peacocks, a baby boar, a bunch of reindeers and goats, and 2 huge brown bears. It was awesome.  We also had a short break for food at Knin. This was a historical significant city because it was a military stronghold for the Serbian population in Croatia during the 1990's. Croats took control and most of the Serbs fled or were kicked out.

July 31

Today we arrived in Split, Croatia. For some reason, I have really good wireless in my room so I spent the day skyping with friends and my boyfriend. During the evening I took a walk down to the water alone. I got some dinner and picnicked along the waterfront, just people watching and doing my thing. It was very relaxing, and exactly what I needed after a lot of traveling and group trips. We leave tomorrow, so I don't think I'll get to see much more, but Split is very beautiful and I'll remember it fondly.

July 30

Today was a day off in Dubrovnik, Croatia. I spent the day at the beach, went into the old city for lunch, and overall just relaxed. It was wonderful and greatly appreciated. I feel as though between bussing it, writing papers, and meeting with cultural, political, and social leaders, we really haven’t had a day to breathe. It was an absolutely beautiful day.