Germans, Australians and a Friend from Home.

It is quite amazing how many people you meet while traveling. And from all over the world too. Last night we met four young men from Germany who had been hiking the mountains of old Yugoslavia, including Croatia, for the last couple of days. They had large hiking boots on, scruffy faces and thick German accents.  We spent almost two hours in the grocery store parking lot talking with them. We talked about college, traveling, music, and politics. Erika and I even managed to spark a discussion, in light of our European Union class,  about their personal views on the effectiveness of the EU. They had nothing but positive things to say and wants all European nations to join. Erika and I also had an opportunity to sing for the four fellas. That was quite interesting. Kate got it on camera. Erika as a kayaking partner: tolerable. Erika as a singing partner: a challenge. All in all these Germans were great company and Kate, Shannon and Becca actually spent the rest of the evening with them.

This afternoon Erika, Bo and I (Kevin wasn’t there again) went swimming at the gorgeous Croatian beach which was conjoined with an outside restaurant and bar with fancy seating and delicious food. There were beach beds that you could rent for $30.00. It was basically a luxury beach.  As we were swimming we bumped into an Australian who was making a stop in Europe before making his way to Penn State for a semester abroad. Erika and him of course made conversation because she herself spent a semester in Australia. As we were talking to him, another guy heard that we were from Upstate New York. He asked where from. We told him Albany. Get this! He too is from Albany and he too went and graduated from Colonie High. I can’t express how surreal this meeting was. He was born in Croatia. His family moved to the U.S. in the 1990’s when Croatia was at war. His grandmother stayed in Croatia and that is who is visiting here. We couldn’t believe the coincidence of our day. He knew all our teachers and even Erika’s sister. Who knew that Croatia was such a hotspot for travelers and who knew Albany was the place to migrate to?

While at the club, Bo met Dahani Jones from the Travel Channel. Again, Croatia is the place to be! “This guy goes around the world playing weird sports trying to kick the crap out of people,” explains Bo. He is a large black man, who travels with swarms of ditsy women at his side. I wasn’t at the club that night Bo saw him, but last night he came into the bar that I was at with Rachel and it was a funny sight to see. All these Semester at Sea students just crowding around him. I don’t even know who he is!

Stupid me, didn’t think that I would have to spend any money today. I also didn’t want to leave Croatia with any extra Kuna in hand so I didn’t plan on taking out any more money from the bank. Therefore I decided to leave all other sources of money (i.e. credit cards).on the boat and stick with what I already had. Unfortunately things presented themselves such as souvenirs, internet, grocery shopping, drinks on the ocean, and maybe a nice lunch at that restaurant, all of which I didn’t do. It was quite depressing and a bit frustrating. Once again I made a mistake that effected my time. I need to be a little more prepared. No matter what, bring the money!

I did manage to buy some chocolate at the Grocery store. I haven’t tried it yet but hopefully it will be of worth. It is their native chocolate and it’s called Mikado. Keep reading if you want to see how it tastes. I also got the soap that I needed. It was all of a dollar!

Today we leave, and today starts Croatia’s Summer Festival. Good timing Semester at Sea! Ughh! Well there is supposed to be fireworks at 9:00. For some screwed up reason we don’t leave till early tomorrow morn. Meaning we will be sitting in Croatia on a boat instead of having another night on the town. This sucks! 

Croatia was definitely a relaxing port. It has been a highlight or the trip thus far and was well needed after our exhausting days in Spain and Italy. I felt a real taste of summer being here and for the first time ever in my life, I didn’t want to leave the beach. I actually wanted to stay! I never thought I’d see the crystal clear blue waters that they advertise on those commercials, but take my word, they exist and I swam in them. One thing I regret not doing (yes I said the dreaded “R” word) is trying Croatian food. There isn’t a predominant sense of native food in Dubrovnik but we should have tried a bit harder to experience the culture. I’m a bit sad as we wave goodbye to this summer resort of a nation, but am content with the time we spent here.

A couple of the students on the boat are quite wealthy and have the luxury of experiencing this trip without having to worry about any financial burden it may cause. Through conversation with Bo and a recent email with my grandmother it can be concluded that money is quite insignificant compared to the larger scheme of things. It is unfortunate when people deny their desire of doing something because they “can’t” afford it. I have a very fortunate situation but I too have many loans that I will have to repay in the many years to come. We, as people, want to spend as little as we can and save as much as we can. This process seems quite backwards seeing as we have one life and one only. We might as well spend the money we have while we can. Security is always desirable but living life is so much more. Life isn’t measured in how much money you have or how well you handle your finances but how you live your life. People sometimes put there life on the backburner and money at the forefront. Instead, Live a lot, buy a little and love often!

Movie time with A.B.A. Have a Good One! 

Today’s Expenses:

……………….....Kuna………..Dollars
Gelato………….12.00.……….2.40
Pizza…………..14.00.……….2.80
Bus……………...10.00.……….2.00
Chocolate………8.00.……….1.60
Soap……………...5.00.……….1.00

Total…………..49.00.……….9.80

Explore. Dream. Discover.

~Michael-Anthony

P.S. Who on earth would leave Croatia for Albany?