Getting Into the Groove

Sorry this post is almost a day late! The Zvonomir is having Internet problems which makes uploading photos take about half the day! But it should be better form now on! So where to begin!

I had problems sleeping again, wake up late at night again and again. I cannot wait for this jet lag to go away! This morning was different though! I did sleep in and when I woke no one was in the house but the table had breakfast waiting for me! I am getting spoiled here for sure! Breakfast was typical European style, fresh breads, cheese spreads, some hard meats and coffee! I now understand the allure to coffee that many adults seem to find in coffee. I almost cant think until I have a cup now, I hope its not an addiction.

After breakfast Nada started making lunch and I tried to help. I guess its not normal for the men to help in the kitchen at all, or clean the plates or anything like that. This is hard for me because I am trained automatically to clean up after myself. Yet because it was just me and Nada this morning we finally had a chance to get to know one another. Her English is not so good so she uses Zvonco as a translator and of course my Croatian is non existent. She seemed delighted that I am interested in cooking and I too am excited for her to teach me some of the delicious recipes that she cooks! I watched her make peppers stuffed with meat. My mother makes this dish also but the peppers are not from our garden like Nada's nor is the onion and many of the other ingredients! The entire house was filled for hours with the smell of her cooking and reminded me of my kitchen back home. While she shared cooking secrets with me I brought my Frommers travel guide out to ask her things that the book didn't explain well. We then spent the next hour talking about the different islands of Croatia, her favorite places and why, and getting to know one another. She really is a remarkable woman, she gets a sparkle in her eye when she talks about her home country that makes you want to be from here. after we finished preparing the food for tomorrows lunch we went into Zagreb to go pick up Katarina, their grand-daughter!

Preparing the next days meal.

This is the daughter of Kristina and Michael, they are the ones who helped me make arrangements with my school!I move into my dorms in two days and I am excited about this! But more on that later. They had a modest apartment in the downtown area of Zagreb, the city's capitol. It was a small flat, about the size of an average bedroom and it had a small overhang where the bed was. You can see the steps in my photograph that lead to it. They all are so happy though, they all appreciate each other so much. They do not seem to take each other for granted. I feel blessed to apart of their family, they only have known me for a few days and already the treat me as though i have always belonged. We were talking about the famous Croatian fighter called Cro-cop the other day, which is how i now refer to my family, here Cro-mom and Cro-dad. After picking up Katarina we went on a quick tour through Zagreb and I saw my first glimpse of the city I will be staying in. 

Picing up Katarina.

I do no know how I feel about it yet, So many wonderful buildings yet It felt ominous at the same time. I think it was just the realization of being alone in the city that darkened the city for me. But I know that is only sillyness, I am not alone with wonderful friends already! Plus I haven't even had a chance to meet any other students! So I am sure the city will hold much more happiness for me. After we left the city we went to lunch at this small villa like restaurant. It was just FANTASTIC! 

Entrance to the villa where we ate lunch

I realize now that many of my post will involve food, and I am fine with that. I take photos of everything before I eat it! Yet before the food even arrived I realize that my host are lexicons of the area. They know literally everything about their country! Dating back to the mid-evil times to almost every store front they know some history about it! The salt and pepper shakers on our table are a special type of ceramic only made in Karlovac. It is hand made only a few miles from where we were eating!

Hand made ceramics.

So back to the food! My favorite topic! Well as many people know beer in Europe is made at local breweries, Karlovac has one of the larger breweries in the area. And since my 21st birthday means nothing here, I have been taking full advantage of trying the different beers! This beer is very light, similar to a Stella without any skunky flavor from hops. Almost a richer tasting Miller Highlife.

 I let Zvonomir order for me because, 1) I didn't have a clue what the menu said and 2) I trusted his opinion. Boy was I right! They ordered a sampler platter of food from the grill.  Starting on the left were kidney beans in a creamy sauce, they melted like butter in the mouth. Then a small medallion of what i assume beef, I forgot to ask... but it was cooked in seasonings and was full of flavor! Next was homemade sausages that had a crunch to them but were almost sweet and spicy at the same time. But then was my favorite, homemade cheese that was almost a mix of feta and mozzarella stuffed inside meat medallions and cooked and seared to hold in flavor. It was the most tender and flavorful meat I have ever eaten. And if you know my mother I am sure she is quite upset I said that... Sorry mom.... Lastly was literally a HAM-burger. It was a Pattie with ham and onions seared and served with a paprika like sauce. I was very tempted to put it on bread and ask for ketchup but calling it a Burger wouldn't do it justice. 

This is served in heaven, in case you were wondering
about the menu when you get there.

Zucchini, red pepper, and tomato salad, with feta and olive oil dressing

But one thing to mention, Croatians do not have regular stomachs, I swear they give me the largest servings and keep your plate refilled, I'm eating twice as much as usual and they tease me I eat like a bird. I will grow to the size of a elephant before my trip is over, I am just lucky most the food is extremely healthy! Like the giant salads that com with every meal! This one had what i think tomato's, I usually hate them but they did not have a repulsive taste like usually tomatoes so the verdict is still out if that was what i was eating, i do not believe it. 

The adorable Katarina sitting next to her Grandmother

After we returned to the house where I promptly fell victim to jet lag and slept for the next two hours, either jet lag or food coma to be honest! Then I went out again with my friend I met the first night. His name is incredibly hard to say and thus far I have been avoiding saying it.  Hrvoje, kinda like Her-voi-eh but more throaty than and with force. Did you sound like you were choking? Then you didn't say it right. Well we went out to the pub again and I was informed about the local night life in Croatia and that they rank with the Irish for drinking. I ordered Tomislav a beer once again made in Zagreb. It was very thick, and almost chocolaty aftertaste. I would compare it to Guinness but there was no bitterness like Guinness. It was almost like a desert beer, but it was not too sweet if that's what your thinking. 

My favorite beer so far.

Then I tried Leffe, this beer was from Belgium, it was a blond and by the time I finished her I was feeling pretty good. I did not realize but both beers had alcohol contents around 7-9% So even though it was cold on the walk back to the house I was warm on the inside! My friend Hrvoje works at a local factory. He designs gun barrels for Smith Field Armory, I was going to try and see if I could order one but apparently the gun restrictions here are quite steep. Does not mean I am not getting one when I get back home! I will after all be 21 (only 4 days to go!) and I will be getting my CCW! I might wear that gun and a glock, why you ask? Because I can! That and who doesn't want to be like Clint Eastwood in Dirty Harry? 

This was like drinking sweet bread. 

We returned back to Zvonco's (btw Zvanco is short for Zvanamir) and Nada had prepared a small snack. It was crepes filled with cheese and sprinkled with sugar. It was the perfect way to cap off the night!

Another food item I plan on cooking before I leave!

Zvonco knew that I was a little home sick so he put on the pro-bowl for me. I guess we are throwing a Super Bowl party too! Now don't get the wrong idea, Football is not popular here, Just Zvonco seems to like it a lot! But I am Perfectly fine with that! Another perfect day so far! Tomorrow we are going to see some of where the war was fought!!

A touch of home before bed!