Well, day five and we're beginning to feel more like natives (ok, that's a stretch, but that's our story and we're sticking with it). The money situation is really pretty easy to figure; the currency is a kuna and 100 kunas is about $20US. We just multiply the kuna price by two and add a decimal point. The next hurdle was food. There are no Wegmans here... (or Wal-Mart, Starbucks, McDonalds). Just a few little grocery stores tucked (and I mean tucked) into nooks and crannies. We have become quite European eating yogurt and museli (an unsweet, more natural kind of granola) for breakfast. There are a lot of meats and cheeses here, ham, salami, and who knows what. Not a lot of salads in the traditional sense. Usually a salad is a small plate of greens (your choice if you want octupus with that... don't laugh... I want to try it). Lots of seafoods, and you can see the Italian influence (we've had amazing pizza here... gorgonzola cheese, green olives, corn, shrimp... definitely not Dominos!)
Ann Marie: you will be quite dismayed to know that you cannot walk into a cafe and get coffee to go. There are very few places that serve coffee in paper/styrofoam cups. There is a Croatian/Dubrovnik phrase, "hurry went to hell" that sums up their attitude. Coffee is best enjoyed at a table in a porcelain cup, sipped, not gulped. While I miss my Dunkin Donuts, I'm looking forward to my first coffee bar experience. In the meantime, my coffee bags give me the jolt I need to get going in the morning.
Not, that I need a jolt... I've yet to have to wake up to an alarm here. Usually its the birds and faint sounds of the sea, and the sun that filters through the open shutters that gets me up... yes, envy me... I even envy myself. I can't imagine ever tiring of the view from my balcony as the sun comes over the mountain behind us and starts to shed light on Old Town. I will try to post pictures soon... I want to get some of the alleyways and the fountain and church facades... even going to Fort Niagara as a kid doesn't compare to the history of this area. Our student has switched one of her classes and is in Art History of Dubrovnik, Venice and the Mediterranean now so we'll learn more in classes. The instructor helped with the restoration project of Old Town after the war... I can only imagine what it was like then... better yet, I'm glad I don't really have to know. Walking along the worn stones, I wonder how many feet crossed them... it's just overwhelming.
Well, best get to work... that IS why they sent me here. Hope you are all well and enjoying my missive... and I do hope to post pictures soon.
hugs & peace.. annette
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2 comments:
WHAT?!?!?! NO coffee to go. What's wrong with those people?!?! Actually....they are pretty smart. Sounds like they know how to stop and smell the roses. If I were you I would be hanging at the coffee bars daily! lol So glad you are having fun and doing well. I'm living vicariously through your posts. :)
Allelujah to no styrofoam! :)
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