I'm never leaving

First week: conquered.

Guess what?
There have been 7 earthquakes here so far, though my host mom says before I came there wasn't one for almost 20 years...?  

It's Sunday, which means I got here a week ago and I have already seen so much that this post may never end, but I love all of it. This country is so tiny (about half the size of Illinois) but it has everything, and I still haven't gotten used to the mountains outside my bedroom window. People keep asking me what I'm staring at. So many new things:

•  New name. I am now Karolina because trying to get Croatians to say our "r" sound is just as funny as me trying to pronounce "lj" fluidly. It sounds like I'm swallowing a toad whenever I try. Bugger that 2 of the days of the week have "lj" in them, because my host sister introduces me to her friends like this: "This is Karolina from America. She doesn't speak Croatian, but she can say the days of the week" so then I try and everyone shouts "Bravo!"

• New origins. I tell everyone I'm from Chicago because its easier. But if I clarify and say actually 2.5 hrs south, their eyes get really big because they say "if you drive 2.5 hrs anywhere here there would be no more Croatia!"

• New language-Duh. But I'm learning as fast as I can, because that awkward moment when you are just sitting in a circle, laughing whenever everyone else does even though you have no clue what was funny, and waiting for some kind soul to repeat the entire conversation for you in English is getting tiring. I composed my first sentence yesterday! I'd estimate that I might be approaching 2 yr old's vocabulary. Woohoo! My host mom put Post-Its all over the furniture and appliances with their Croatian names on them for me. Dog included. 

Guess What?

-There is graffiti everywhere, but my favorite just says "PORK" in fancy script. 

-Croatians invented the necktie and pen. Who knew?

FIRST FANNY PACK SIGHTING!! Followed very quickly by 10 more. I looked so sketch taking this picture but it was necessary. It's mostly see young guys who wear them, but occasionally you see an over-60 rocking one.

This is the cutest hair salon I've ever seen, and its right across the street from my house.









A little piece of Illinois with a not-so-Illinois
background











Feet at a Croatian Gnome Emporium, dedicated to Sylvia (aka GB/AM)








Guess What?
If you want to bike in Zagreb you must be enthusiastic because the bike lanes are erratic and there are stairs crowds, and cobblestones everywhere--but people do it! I honestly think walking would faster though and a wee bit less terrifying. Apparently helmets are not in.

                                                                               


                                                                                       KAVA!!!!!!











This is the main square in Zagreb, called Trg Ban Josip Jelačić
-Taken from where? You guessed it. Coffee shop.

                                                                                                                 






My host sister Lea and her friends took me on a tour of the city, which included going to the Museum of Broken Relationships, which houses objects that remind people of their old partners whom they might want to forget. Don't be fooled, this was actually hilarious. My favorites were this Frisbee, a stuffed lobster, the wedding dresses, and a giant axe (??).

Guess what?

-If you walk 20 feet any direction in Zagreb, you will find a hair salon, bakery, and coffee shop

-So far daily Zagreb activities have included walking around for about 1 hour, sitting at a coffee shop for 3, relocating down the block to a restaurant and eating for another 3. This is the life.