CROATIAN TRAVEL, CHAPTER #7
Long Slow Travel in Croatia. Some of What We’ve Learned.
Love the one(s) you’re with. Love the time and place you’re in.
As described in the six chapters linked to the end of this story, my girlfriend, Qin, and I have been on a long lazy trip in Croatia.
In roughly three months on the road, we’ve journeyed from the extreme southern end of the country, Dubrovnik, to the north, the Istrian Peninsula, and the east, Zagreb, the nation’s capital, stopping for extended periods at multiple places along the way. We loved every minute of it, detours, missteps, and fun landings, along the way.
We’ve seen incredibly beautiful sights and visited astonishing places and met great people. But, I’m not going to tell you any more of those stories. I’ve done quite a bit of that in the six chapters.
Besides, you should visit Croatia, or revisit it, and make some of your own memories.
Instead, I’d like to share some road-won wisdom, lessons we’ve learned, or relearned, along the way that may stimulate thought and provide value.
You can have constant fun with someone you’re with 24/7
No real relationship advice here. Besides I’m unqualified in this arena. But these two “principles” worked for us.
- Say “yes” to everything your travel partner wants to do
- Move on your partner’s schedule
People here are different
True in every place, all over the world.
They: * eat different food * smoke more than people in California * speak, and mean, differently * drive the streets and walk the promenades differently * etc, etc, etc, in every way imaginable
Be OK with all of it. Luxuriate in the differences and realize there are dozens, if not hundreds, of ways to do the same thing right or to be happy.
Pack light
There are stores everywhere.
If you can’t find what you need locally, you probably don’t need it wherever you are. If you did, they’d sell it there because others would need it too.
PS: Farmer’s markets and flea markets have the best stuff anyway. Plus, you’ll save money and you’ll meet the locals.
Learn a few words
If you’re a language whiz, learn a lot of them.
I’m not a language whiz, but Croatians generally light up when a non-Croatian says “dobar dan” (good day) or “hvala vam” (thank you very much).
People all over the world generally have the same reaction to someone attempting to communicate in their native tongue.
My favorite phrase — the local translation of “How do you say …?”
Take public transportation or walk or bike or rent a scooter
Cabs are expensive.
Besides the slower you go, the more you’ll see. And, the locals are all on public transportation or walking.
Live a little and meet a few of them.
Go slow
Long-term slow travel is WAAAY different than an exhaustion-inducing-hurry-up-and-see-everything-while-isolating-in-a-hotel-and-eating-and-drinking-costly-non-local-stuff “vacation.”
Slowing down and living local-like for a week or two allows for richness. You’ll get to know the community and its people a bit. Shopkeepers will recognize you. Locals will notice you’re there and engage you in conversation. Sellers at the farmer’s market will share recipes. The list of joys goes on and on.
There are no problems, only opportunities
You might consider it stressful or uncomfortable to travel in the fairly unscripted or atypical way I’ve described.
These tips may smooth out the bumps in the road. * If problems arise, turn toward your partner and seek solutions together. * Let the phrase “no problems, only opportunities” be your mantra. * You’re lucky to be doing what you’re doing. Give thanks for that, daily.
Most people you meet on the road are happy, friendly, kind, helpful and safe. Behave accordingly. Share yourself with others and let them share themselves with you.
Happy trails :-)
PS: Try not to see your trip through a camera lens. Stop taking pictures occasionally and be in the moment. Those moments will last longer than photos, and they’re easier to find.
The six Croatia travel stories, as promised.
