Yes, the blog is titled "Phyllis in Croatia" but today I'm in Barcelona. Allison and I arrived here late this afternon, having sprinted to make our tight connection in Paris. Unfortunately, my suitcase had no such luck. Allison's made it, at least. The Air France people have been friendly and apologetic, but they have no clue where my suitcase is. Argh.
Well, I'm going to have a good time anyway. This looks like a fascniating city--what little I've seen of it. Lots of motorcycles everywhere going fast. :-)
Monday, February 7, 2011
Sunday, February 6, 2011
Yay! I got to escape the Superbowl!
Yesterday was a shopping day, in part because most things are closed on Sundays. We bought a printer/scanner and blanket and some pillows. We also went to one of the bookstores off Trg Bana Jelacica and Allison bought a couple of DVDs (with English and Croatian). The weather was gorgeous, and Allison sampled some of the delicious local ice cream.
Today we went to see The King's Speech at the theater across the street. There are lots of English-language movies here and except for the little kids' movies they're subtitled instead of dubbed. Tickets were cheap--less than $5 each--although there's some sort of extremely complicated pricing schedule that I can't understand, with 9 different prices not including 3D movies and T-Mobile Wednesdays. The seats are bigger and more comfortable than in US theaters (they even have loveseats) and you reserve particular seats when you pay, just like at live theatre. We enjoyed the movie, and who can beat the convenience of a theater across the street?
In the morning we're off for several days in Barcelona. We're going to be slightly adventurous and take a tram 2 stops to the main bus station, where we can catch an express bus to the airport. Hopefully we'll make our 1-hour connection in Paris. I wonder whether I'll be saying hvala and dovidenja in Spain?
Yesterday was a shopping day, in part because most things are closed on Sundays. We bought a printer/scanner and blanket and some pillows. We also went to one of the bookstores off Trg Bana Jelacica and Allison bought a couple of DVDs (with English and Croatian). The weather was gorgeous, and Allison sampled some of the delicious local ice cream.
Today we went to see The King's Speech at the theater across the street. There are lots of English-language movies here and except for the little kids' movies they're subtitled instead of dubbed. Tickets were cheap--less than $5 each--although there's some sort of extremely complicated pricing schedule that I can't understand, with 9 different prices not including 3D movies and T-Mobile Wednesdays. The seats are bigger and more comfortable than in US theaters (they even have loveseats) and you reserve particular seats when you pay, just like at live theatre. We enjoyed the movie, and who can beat the convenience of a theater across the street?
In the morning we're off for several days in Barcelona. We're going to be slightly adventurous and take a tram 2 stops to the main bus station, where we can catch an express bus to the airport. Hopefully we'll make our 1-hour connection in Paris. I wonder whether I'll be saying hvala and dovidenja in Spain?
Friday, February 4, 2011
Today was a busy and productive day. I went back to the bank--this time by tram--and actually managed to get an account opened. It turns out I'll have to return one more time to pick up my ATM card, but at least now I now how easy it is to get there by tram. One tram line takes me door to door. Literally--on the way back it stops directly in front of my door.
I got some work done on my textbook revision today, too.
And this evening we had dinner at the home of a Fulbrighter who's been here since the fall. Also there were his lovely wife, a Fulbright student, and another US student who's here on an exchange program. The dinner and company were wonderful. They also have a fantastic apartment, although I should note it's up just as many stairs as mine. Allison was mostly jealous of their 2 TVs. They have great views, too. And they don't have trams and trains next door, but do have a church with loud bells very close, so that's even, I'd say. We rode a different tram line home.
If you're counting, I have been up over 480 stairs today (not all at once, thankfully!).
We walked through the main square, Trg Ban Jelacic (pronounced Turg Bon Yellacheech), this evening. It's about 15 minutes from our place, and it's always very busy. I tried to post a crappy picture I took of Ban Jelacic himself, but Blogger keeps giving me error messages. In Croatian. Anyway, there's a big statue of a guy with a pointy sword, astride a horse, and that's where you typically meet up with people. I like this square because it's always so vital--clearly the heart of the city. There's a skating rink there now and they often have concerts and other events. When the weather turns warm there are tons of sidewalk cafes. The only downside is you have to be careful not to get run over by a tram!
Last night I bought tickets to a Sunday morning chamber music performance at the National Theatre. The performance is only an hour long, which should be perfect for Allison. I'm looking forward to seeing the inside of the building. The outside is pretty spectacular--usually. Right now it's covered in scaffolding.
And in a couple days Allison and I will be off to Barcelona!
I got some work done on my textbook revision today, too.
And this evening we had dinner at the home of a Fulbrighter who's been here since the fall. Also there were his lovely wife, a Fulbright student, and another US student who's here on an exchange program. The dinner and company were wonderful. They also have a fantastic apartment, although I should note it's up just as many stairs as mine. Allison was mostly jealous of their 2 TVs. They have great views, too. And they don't have trams and trains next door, but do have a church with loud bells very close, so that's even, I'd say. We rode a different tram line home.
If you're counting, I have been up over 480 stairs today (not all at once, thankfully!).
We walked through the main square, Trg Ban Jelacic (pronounced Turg Bon Yellacheech), this evening. It's about 15 minutes from our place, and it's always very busy. I tried to post a crappy picture I took of Ban Jelacic himself, but Blogger keeps giving me error messages. In Croatian. Anyway, there's a big statue of a guy with a pointy sword, astride a horse, and that's where you typically meet up with people. I like this square because it's always so vital--clearly the heart of the city. There's a skating rink there now and they often have concerts and other events. When the weather turns warm there are tons of sidewalk cafes. The only downside is you have to be careful not to get run over by a tram!
Last night I bought tickets to a Sunday morning chamber music performance at the National Theatre. The performance is only an hour long, which should be perfect for Allison. I'm looking forward to seeing the inside of the building. The outside is pretty spectacular--usually. Right now it's covered in scaffolding.
And in a couple days Allison and I will be off to Barcelona!
Thursday, February 3, 2011
We are slowly getting settled in. Yesterday we registered with the police, as required by Croatian law. It was somewhat complicated due to my lack of Croatian, but we got it done. Today we walked a mile and a half or so to the bank to open an account and after arriving and waiting 20 minutes learned that to open the account I needed a piece of paper I hadn't brought with. Sigh. Well, it was a lovely day for a walk, anyway. The sun came out and it reached a relatively balmy 36F. I feel like I earned the pastry I bought from the bakery across the street.
Speaking of bakeries, there are many. Probably a half dozen pekarnas within a block or two radius of here, including one just around the corner. Could be dangerous, except every time I visit a bakery I have to climb more than 70 steps to get back to my apartment, so it evens out.
I'm really loving this apartment. It's very spacious and comfortable. Quiet, too, other than the noisy trams, which we're getting used to. I like the sound of them, actually.
We haven't yet ventured too much around the city, but that will come. So far, we've scouted out several grocery stores nearby.
I am very happy to be able to buy blackcurrant juice here.
This is Glavni Kolodvor, the main train station. It's about 2 blocks from our place. As you can see, a nice, sunny afternoon today.
Speaking of bakeries, there are many. Probably a half dozen pekarnas within a block or two radius of here, including one just around the corner. Could be dangerous, except every time I visit a bakery I have to climb more than 70 steps to get back to my apartment, so it evens out.
I'm really loving this apartment. It's very spacious and comfortable. Quiet, too, other than the noisy trams, which we're getting used to. I like the sound of them, actually.
We haven't yet ventured too much around the city, but that will come. So far, we've scouted out several grocery stores nearby.
I am very happy to be able to buy blackcurrant juice here.
This is Glavni Kolodvor, the main train station. It's about 2 blocks from our place. As you can see, a nice, sunny afternoon today.Tuesday, February 1, 2011
We have arrived!
Our flight was long but didn't have any problems at all, the wonderful folks from the embassy met us at the airport with a van, and we successfully dragged our suitcases up to the third floor. Which is really the fourth floor, as Americans reckon it. The apartment is very large with huge ceilings and doors. We're still figuring out the heating and plumbing and internet, but we're making progress. We did a little grocery shopping trip yesterday and today we'll buy cell phones.
It's nice to be back after two and a half years! I remember where things are, like the grocery store, and it feels familiar, although the weather's a little chillier than June.
I'm looking forward to some exploration this week!
I must say, however, it would be nice if Blogger didn't helpfully translate itself into Croatian.
It's nice to be back after two and a half years! I remember where things are, like the grocery store, and it feels familiar, although the weather's a little chillier than June.
I'm looking forward to some exploration this week!
I must say, however, it would be nice if Blogger didn't helpfully translate itself into Croatian.
Sunday, January 16, 2011
2 more weeks
Two weeks from today Allison and I will be on our way to Croatia. My books are already on their way there. Our apartment will be waiting for us when we arrive: http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?hl=en&gl=us&ie=UTF8&oe=UTF8&msa=0&msid=208100415433254170263.000499fb424d182c139ce
Almost all of my to-do list is done. The only major task remaining is packing, which I'm dreading. I don't even like packing for a weekend!
Almost all of my to-do list is done. The only major task remaining is packing, which I'm dreading. I don't even like packing for a weekend!
Friday, December 31, 2010
Getting closer
Just less than a month remains until we leave for Croatia. Allison has begun her own blog here. Our flat in Zagreb is rented, our plane tickets are purchased, and most of the paperwork is complete. Yay!
Now I'm contemplating whether to go to Barcelona or London/Paris in February, after we've settled in a little in Zagreb.
Now I'm contemplating whether to go to Barcelona or London/Paris in February, after we've settled in a little in Zagreb.
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