Last weekend (The 26th, 27th) I had the pleasure of going with my school to Budapest (yup, the one in Hungary.) For weeks I was insanely excited, thinking about all the fun I could have. I had one plan in particular. I had to find a Starbucks. I was jonesing for my drug of choice, a tall skinny caramel macchiato, and it had been months since Id been to a Starbucks.
It was a five hour bus ride to beautiful Budapest, but those five hours will forever be darkened in my memory as the five hours with only one cd... a cd that had five songs maximum. I can only listen to LMFAOs song "Im sexy and I know it" so many times before thoughts of jumping out of the window and onto the pavement below begin to worm their way into my conscious. Luckily we had multiple stops on the way there, merciful breaks from repeats of "sweet home Alabama", but finally, we arrived.
Our first stop was at the fortress that is built on top of a hill, looking down on both Buda and Pest (Budapest used to be two seperate cities, who knew?). It had beautiful statues, and the view, albeit marred by fog, was breathtaking. After that, we went to the square of heroes where we were given free time to look around. It was here that my ADD kicked in, and I spent an hour building piles of leaves to jump in. Maybe not productive, but it was a great bonding experience!
Finally we went into town, and someone pointed me in the direction of a blessed starbucks. Only one problem. It had closed down a few months ago and had been turned into.......wait for it...... a fish market. Yum. Luckily, there was a christmas market to take my mind off of things, so we got to browse through cute little bobbles and delicious christmas baking.
That night we were also going to a disco. While we drove there, we drove...... past a Starbucks. Sadly, there was no time on the itinerary to stop, so I was stuck with a fleeting mental image. To make matters worse... this happened twice. Driving passed two Starbucks, oh the odds.
The Disco was fun, but to be honest I would have rather been looking around town. I guess because the students in school live so close to Budapest, they dont realize how crazy it is for me to be going there!
The next morning, we were given free time at a shopping centre. I looked at the map... and saw STARBUCKS! As quickly as I could, I rushed upstairs to see a sign that said "Starbucks, open in 6 days" 6 DAYS!
Later we were given more free time in the city centre. Another exchange student (Katie) and I, found an adorable little tourist street, full of scarf stands, and photos for sale, and real hot chocolate. The kind of hot chocolate you have to drink fast or the top solidifies! Well the other students spent all their time in the centre, Katie and I managed to find two little streets, a square full of art, a park, and a museum! It was a great day. Finally at the end of the day, we went to a small cafe. I was still a little sore because of Starbucks crazy ability to avoid me, when I looked up at the menu. In swirly, hand written letters, were the words "Caramel Macchiato". It tasted just as good as the ones at Starbucks, and after my third sip I realized something.
I was nearing my 100 day mark, the day when homesickness is supposed to come crashing down around your ears. The reason I was bizarely intent on finding a Starbucks wasnt because i missed the caffeinated goodness. No, the reason I felt like I needed to find one was because I missed the times I have when I go for coffee. I always go with one of two friends, and it is always some of the most fun I have. I didnt miss coffee, I missed my friends. With that realization I also realized that a year isnt that long, and Im already close to a third of the way there. I can miss people, but Im not going to let that feeling send me on more wild goose chases around europe.
Have a good one
Meghan
Sunday, December 4, 2011
Monday, November 7, 2011
Happy halloween!!! Belated
Sometimes the motivation to write is just not there. Its almost as if my procrastination portion of my brain is mocking me. Although not a very good excuse, It is the only reason I have to explain the lack of writing that goes on in this little blog.
I want to tell you about Halloween. Or, the day after halloween, to be exact. Here in Croatia, they do not celebrate Halloween. In fact, when I explained halloween to them, they laughed and told me they always wondered why North Americans did that.
No, in Croatia, they celebrate all saints day instead. November 1st is a day dedicated to respecting loved ones that have passed on. In almost every store you are able to buy small plastic lanterns meant to be placed on graves. I went with my host family to the Varaždin cemetary (known to be one of the most beautiful cemetaries in europe) and I watched as hundreds upon hundreds of people peacefully honoured the dead. In North America, you would never see this. That many people could not gather in a place so small without loud shouts and something going wrong. Until that day, I never realized how truly tragic that is.
Have we, as a nation, forgotten respect? Where are the days when a cemetary could stand so gracefully in a large city and not have to fear vandalism? Where are the days when WE could bring so many candles to one location and not fear fire caused by uncareful hands?
There were so many candles brought to the cemetary that day, that when I went to sleep that night I could see the warm, hazy light from my bedroom window. The cross in the centre of the cemetary was surrounded by so many that it was unbearably hot to even stand near it. This is how it should be. We shouldnt leave the graves of our loved ones unvisited because we dont want to face the sadness it brings with us. I wish that just once, I could see a group of people that respectful towards others back home, both living and dead. It brought tears to my eyes, and it is something that I will never forget as long as I live
I want to tell you about Halloween. Or, the day after halloween, to be exact. Here in Croatia, they do not celebrate Halloween. In fact, when I explained halloween to them, they laughed and told me they always wondered why North Americans did that.
No, in Croatia, they celebrate all saints day instead. November 1st is a day dedicated to respecting loved ones that have passed on. In almost every store you are able to buy small plastic lanterns meant to be placed on graves. I went with my host family to the Varaždin cemetary (known to be one of the most beautiful cemetaries in europe) and I watched as hundreds upon hundreds of people peacefully honoured the dead. In North America, you would never see this. That many people could not gather in a place so small without loud shouts and something going wrong. Until that day, I never realized how truly tragic that is.
Have we, as a nation, forgotten respect? Where are the days when a cemetary could stand so gracefully in a large city and not have to fear vandalism? Where are the days when WE could bring so many candles to one location and not fear fire caused by uncareful hands?
There were so many candles brought to the cemetary that day, that when I went to sleep that night I could see the warm, hazy light from my bedroom window. The cross in the centre of the cemetary was surrounded by so many that it was unbearably hot to even stand near it. This is how it should be. We shouldnt leave the graves of our loved ones unvisited because we dont want to face the sadness it brings with us. I wish that just once, I could see a group of people that respectful towards others back home, both living and dead. It brought tears to my eyes, and it is something that I will never forget as long as I live
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
Im not, Im not, IM NOT!
Nisam Gladna, Nisam Zima, I Nisam Luda.
These are the three phrases that I am constantly telling everyone here! For those of you who I know just thought "Oh lord, time for google translate" Ill be kind and translate them for you, therefore eliminating the need to open yet another tab on what im sure is your already very full computer.
First and foremost. Nisam Gladna. It means, quite simply, that I am not hungry. Now I try to refrain from using this so as to not cause any offense. I eat my first helping, quite enjoyably. Then I eat the second that I am given, not hungry but willing to eat it because -to be honest- my host grandmother makes killer food! Its by the middle of the third helping that im feeling helpless. I cant eat anymore! I will explode. I might just keel over from the sheer amount that I have somehow managed to inhale! and so, quietly, I say no thank you to the fourth helping. Nisam Gladna.
Next comes Nisam Zima. No, I am not cold. I am asked this usually at school when I go out for a coffee and dont feel the need to take my jacket. As the coffee shop is a whole thirty seconds (soooooo far), I usually make it there and back in five minutes. Five minutes in weather that is still hovering quite nicely around 8 to 10 degrees. Brisk, is the word I would use to describe it. Or even -when it nears 7 or 8- cool. But cold? Not by a very large margin! I make a conscious effort to have my jacket with me in case I get chilly, but putting it on takes me longer than walking to the cafe! So no. I appreciate your concern, and you make me giggle with your earmuffs and scarves. Nisam Zima. Why? Because Ja sam is canada. I am from Canada.
and finally, Nisam Luda. This usually follows Nisam Gladna, or Nisam Zima. Sometimes however, it just follows me being my normal self and goofing around with some of the amazing people that I have met here in good old Hrvatska (Croatia). Or maybe it follows one of the random dance moves I sometimes feel the need to break into (I blame my dad, I get it from him). But almost always it follows a really good laugh. Nisam Luda means no. I am not Crazy.
So here I am. Ja sam Meghan, Ja sam is Canada, Nisam Gladna, Nisam Zima, i ne, Nizam Luda.
I am Meghan, Im from Canada. Im not hungry, Im not cold, and no, Im not crazy!
Have a great day, I know I am!
Meghan
These are the three phrases that I am constantly telling everyone here! For those of you who I know just thought "Oh lord, time for google translate" Ill be kind and translate them for you, therefore eliminating the need to open yet another tab on what im sure is your already very full computer.
First and foremost. Nisam Gladna. It means, quite simply, that I am not hungry. Now I try to refrain from using this so as to not cause any offense. I eat my first helping, quite enjoyably. Then I eat the second that I am given, not hungry but willing to eat it because -to be honest- my host grandmother makes killer food! Its by the middle of the third helping that im feeling helpless. I cant eat anymore! I will explode. I might just keel over from the sheer amount that I have somehow managed to inhale! and so, quietly, I say no thank you to the fourth helping. Nisam Gladna.
Next comes Nisam Zima. No, I am not cold. I am asked this usually at school when I go out for a coffee and dont feel the need to take my jacket. As the coffee shop is a whole thirty seconds (soooooo far), I usually make it there and back in five minutes. Five minutes in weather that is still hovering quite nicely around 8 to 10 degrees. Brisk, is the word I would use to describe it. Or even -when it nears 7 or 8- cool. But cold? Not by a very large margin! I make a conscious effort to have my jacket with me in case I get chilly, but putting it on takes me longer than walking to the cafe! So no. I appreciate your concern, and you make me giggle with your earmuffs and scarves. Nisam Zima. Why? Because Ja sam is canada. I am from Canada.
and finally, Nisam Luda. This usually follows Nisam Gladna, or Nisam Zima. Sometimes however, it just follows me being my normal self and goofing around with some of the amazing people that I have met here in good old Hrvatska (Croatia). Or maybe it follows one of the random dance moves I sometimes feel the need to break into (I blame my dad, I get it from him). But almost always it follows a really good laugh. Nisam Luda means no. I am not Crazy.
So here I am. Ja sam Meghan, Ja sam is Canada, Nisam Gladna, Nisam Zima, i ne, Nizam Luda.
I am Meghan, Im from Canada. Im not hungry, Im not cold, and no, Im not crazy!
Have a great day, I know I am!
Meghan
Friday, October 14, 2011
Embarasment
As an exchange student, Ive seen a new trait in myself that has begun to emerge. The obsesive need to be on time for everything, even breakfast. There is one problem with this trait. Promptness is not a huge thing here in Croatia. Everything is very relaxed, very laid back. This paradox has caused no shortage of humiliating moments on my part.
Take tonight as an Example. Every friday we are involved in the local Rotaract meeting. It is set to happen at 7:00pm.... Exactly 7:00pm. On this particular week, I happened to glance at my clock and notice that the time was 6:50. Like a mad woman, I raced out of the house and took off with the bike (Much to the confusion of my non english speaking host father) peddling far harder than I ever have before.
5 minutes, 7 near tree collisions, and a chilly nose later, I was huffing and puffing my way into the "Kavana Dora", a small cafe where we routinely meet. Now dont think of me as unfit, my 5 minute bike ride from hell would take me 15 minutes on a normal day.
As I walked into the cafe, proud as a lion, I made my way back to the booth Rotaract frequents. It was 6:55, surely some of my fellow Rotaracters would be there? I could not have been more wrong.
Sitting cozily in my booth, or our booth, was a couple in an intimate liplock. I turned red as a tomato, choking on my english apologies, apologies they may not have even understood. I practically tripped over myself in a bid to get out the door and back into the chilly evening air. The waiters thought I was insane.
I waited. And waited. And then I waited a little more. It was almost ten after when the first Rotaractor appeared, happy as can be and whistling a tune. He couldnt quite fathom why I was standing outside in the cold, so I rattled of an excuse about us tough Canadians. Though it was true I wasnt quite as cold as everyone else seemed to be, the real reason I didnt reenter the Dora was that most of its occupants currently thought me a few cards short of a deck.
We stood akwardly outside, while he smoked a cigarette and I tried not to gag (Smoking here is a bigger habit than in Alberta, and I have not quite gotten myself used to the smell.) Soon, more Rotaractors began to apparate, but instead of going inside to the booth (That I would later find out had already been vacatted by the love sick two) they stood outside with us. I guess its just an instinct to join in with what others are up to, but it seemed that I had caused a chain reaction.
It wasnt until the last of us arrived (twenty minutes late!) That someone questioned our motive in standing outside in the cold.
"Well..." One said, "Meghan was out here so I just... kind of stayed out here." For the second time I turned red as a tomato, and for the rest of the night, even after we had entered the heat of the cafe, I had the great honour of being the butt of all the jokes...
Take tonight as an Example. Every friday we are involved in the local Rotaract meeting. It is set to happen at 7:00pm.... Exactly 7:00pm. On this particular week, I happened to glance at my clock and notice that the time was 6:50. Like a mad woman, I raced out of the house and took off with the bike (Much to the confusion of my non english speaking host father) peddling far harder than I ever have before.
5 minutes, 7 near tree collisions, and a chilly nose later, I was huffing and puffing my way into the "Kavana Dora", a small cafe where we routinely meet. Now dont think of me as unfit, my 5 minute bike ride from hell would take me 15 minutes on a normal day.
As I walked into the cafe, proud as a lion, I made my way back to the booth Rotaract frequents. It was 6:55, surely some of my fellow Rotaracters would be there? I could not have been more wrong.
Sitting cozily in my booth, or our booth, was a couple in an intimate liplock. I turned red as a tomato, choking on my english apologies, apologies they may not have even understood. I practically tripped over myself in a bid to get out the door and back into the chilly evening air. The waiters thought I was insane.
I waited. And waited. And then I waited a little more. It was almost ten after when the first Rotaractor appeared, happy as can be and whistling a tune. He couldnt quite fathom why I was standing outside in the cold, so I rattled of an excuse about us tough Canadians. Though it was true I wasnt quite as cold as everyone else seemed to be, the real reason I didnt reenter the Dora was that most of its occupants currently thought me a few cards short of a deck.
We stood akwardly outside, while he smoked a cigarette and I tried not to gag (Smoking here is a bigger habit than in Alberta, and I have not quite gotten myself used to the smell.) Soon, more Rotaractors began to apparate, but instead of going inside to the booth (That I would later find out had already been vacatted by the love sick two) they stood outside with us. I guess its just an instinct to join in with what others are up to, but it seemed that I had caused a chain reaction.
It wasnt until the last of us arrived (twenty minutes late!) That someone questioned our motive in standing outside in the cold.
"Well..." One said, "Meghan was out here so I just... kind of stayed out here." For the second time I turned red as a tomato, and for the rest of the night, even after we had entered the heat of the cafe, I had the great honour of being the butt of all the jokes...
Thursday, September 29, 2011
Hello there!
Well dear me, hasnt it been a while since I last wrote.
Settling into life in Croatia is not nearly as difficult as Id anticipated, thank goodness.
Classes have been going great, and Im starting to learn the language.
Ive signed up for the school musical (against my will, might i add!) and am looking forward to it being performed sometime in December. Maybe, If youre lucky, ill even film it for you!
A few weekends back, Katie, Aidan and Myself spent the weekend in Zagreb for our Rotary student orientation. Unfortunately, the tactic they decided to use to keep us on the straight and narrow was fear mixed with the slightest hint of guilty responsability. Now Im not saying it was uncalled for, or that it didnt work, because I sure dont intend on breaking any Rotary rules now! (Not that I did to begin with, but you get the picture) The only problem is me looking over my shoulder for all the dangers mentioned, the ones that the rules were made for. Im as jumpy as a caged animal!!
On a brighter note, I have been attending Rotaract and Interact weekly, and rotary monthly, and Im loving it. I spend all week looking forward to the Friday evening rotaract meetings, I absolutely adore them.
Now that my first month has gone by, and I went a little over the monthly budget I set for myself, Its really time for me to crack down on money! If its not a necessity, I shall try and restrain myself. (For the good of eurotour, expensive eurotour!)
I am just finishing up my quarterly report, nice and on time like the good exchange student that I am! And this weekend I will be taking a trip out to the coast to drop my lucky host sister off at college!
Thats all for now, and I promise to write more often!
Have a good one
Meghan
Settling into life in Croatia is not nearly as difficult as Id anticipated, thank goodness.
Classes have been going great, and Im starting to learn the language.
Ive signed up for the school musical (against my will, might i add!) and am looking forward to it being performed sometime in December. Maybe, If youre lucky, ill even film it for you!
A few weekends back, Katie, Aidan and Myself spent the weekend in Zagreb for our Rotary student orientation. Unfortunately, the tactic they decided to use to keep us on the straight and narrow was fear mixed with the slightest hint of guilty responsability. Now Im not saying it was uncalled for, or that it didnt work, because I sure dont intend on breaking any Rotary rules now! (Not that I did to begin with, but you get the picture) The only problem is me looking over my shoulder for all the dangers mentioned, the ones that the rules were made for. Im as jumpy as a caged animal!!
On a brighter note, I have been attending Rotaract and Interact weekly, and rotary monthly, and Im loving it. I spend all week looking forward to the Friday evening rotaract meetings, I absolutely adore them.
Now that my first month has gone by, and I went a little over the monthly budget I set for myself, Its really time for me to crack down on money! If its not a necessity, I shall try and restrain myself. (For the good of eurotour, expensive eurotour!)
I am just finishing up my quarterly report, nice and on time like the good exchange student that I am! And this weekend I will be taking a trip out to the coast to drop my lucky host sister off at college!
Thats all for now, and I promise to write more often!
Have a good one
Meghan
Sunday, September 11, 2011
And Life goes on
Well, what is there to talk about? Nothing that exciting has been happening lately, other than me settling into life in Croatia. We took a day trip today to a vinyard owned by family friends, I helped make wine, and it was amazing. I felt like someone had taken me and thrown me smack dab in the middle of a movie set.
Im making friends, starting to have a life here. Its fun, because now I have people to hang out with. We go shopping, have fun. They even took me to a movie festival, where a kiss cover band made fools of themselves in the best way possible.
There is a running joke at school now. Because my name is Meghan, and the other exchange students names is Katie? Well apparently the logical conclusion was for others to think of Megan Fox and Katy Perry. I mean, Im not complaining. If they want to make the connection between me and one of the hottest starlets out there? Well hey, I dont see the harm.
The money situations been a little crazy. My debit card is not working, so Im relying on the monthly allowance from rotary and my visa. Its not a big deal, as Ive no need for anything yet, but knowing I have the money would be nice. Hopefully that will be figured out by the end of the week!
I skyped my parents for the first time this weekend, which was nice. Id expected, even if its only been slightly more than two weeks, to feel that little slice of homesickness, but surprisingly enough there was none. I enjoyed seeing them, I enjoyed talking to them, but that little tug to go home? The one I knew so well when I lived in Montreal? It wasnt there. Maybe its because this time I knew to look for it, or maybe Varaždin is very similar to home, but as of yet I feel no need to return.
I went to both Interact and Rotaract meetings this past week, and will hopefully continue to be a weekly patron of both. I really enjoy the people
Thats all fom over here on my side!
Have a Good one!
Meghan
Im making friends, starting to have a life here. Its fun, because now I have people to hang out with. We go shopping, have fun. They even took me to a movie festival, where a kiss cover band made fools of themselves in the best way possible.
There is a running joke at school now. Because my name is Meghan, and the other exchange students names is Katie? Well apparently the logical conclusion was for others to think of Megan Fox and Katy Perry. I mean, Im not complaining. If they want to make the connection between me and one of the hottest starlets out there? Well hey, I dont see the harm.
The money situations been a little crazy. My debit card is not working, so Im relying on the monthly allowance from rotary and my visa. Its not a big deal, as Ive no need for anything yet, but knowing I have the money would be nice. Hopefully that will be figured out by the end of the week!
I skyped my parents for the first time this weekend, which was nice. Id expected, even if its only been slightly more than two weeks, to feel that little slice of homesickness, but surprisingly enough there was none. I enjoyed seeing them, I enjoyed talking to them, but that little tug to go home? The one I knew so well when I lived in Montreal? It wasnt there. Maybe its because this time I knew to look for it, or maybe Varaždin is very similar to home, but as of yet I feel no need to return.
I went to both Interact and Rotaract meetings this past week, and will hopefully continue to be a weekly patron of both. I really enjoy the people
Thats all fom over here on my side!
Have a Good one!
Meghan
Monday, September 5, 2011
My Weekend in Bol plus first day
Alright, So I havent updated you guys since Wednesday.
Thursday morning, Igor came to pick me up. He drove me, the american exchange student Katie, and the other Canadian Aidan to Zagred (about an hour)
Once we arrived in Zagreb, we got on a bus and met all of the other exchange students. Kenice, Morgan, Kate, Ian, Celine, Ryssa, Lauren, Margot, and Nicole. We drove for five hous on a bus where we finally arrived in Split, on the coast of the Adriatic. We stopped in Split and had a nice little lunch at a small seafood restaurant.
We then took the Ferry to Bol, where we learned a small song to sing to the Governer we would be meeting upon arrival. We got to the island of Brač (town of Bol) and sang the song (In a group of people, to my chagrin!)
We were then given time to change into our bathingsuits, and around 5, we all went swimming for a few hours.
The next day, friday, we all went to the beach, where we stayed all day swimming and eating a wonderful lunch at the hotel. That night we wee invited to a Gala, and we got all dressed up. The Gala was at a small restaurant on the beach, with beautiful lights and wonderful food. We met many Rotarians, as the Gala was for a Rotary Tennis tournament. Afterwords, the rotarians went to their hotel, and the exchange students went to a small cafe/bar and ahad coffee for our last night at the coast.
The next morning, we had to be down to the ferry by six am! I could barely move I was so tired. The bus took us home, and during the bus ride we had to sing a song from our country.
The next day, once I had returned home, I took a walk around Varaždin to find my way around.
This morning I woke up early for my first day of school.
At 730, Lidija drove me to the school and I met my class. The first day of school here, You only have to go for an hour or two, so after some of my classmates took the other exchange students and I around Varaždin. I got to see the skatepark, the cemetary, and other cool sights.
Sorry this entry wasnt as long, but I needed to write quickly so I could help Lidija with dinner.
Have a good day
Meghan
Thursday morning, Igor came to pick me up. He drove me, the american exchange student Katie, and the other Canadian Aidan to Zagred (about an hour)
Once we arrived in Zagreb, we got on a bus and met all of the other exchange students. Kenice, Morgan, Kate, Ian, Celine, Ryssa, Lauren, Margot, and Nicole. We drove for five hous on a bus where we finally arrived in Split, on the coast of the Adriatic. We stopped in Split and had a nice little lunch at a small seafood restaurant.
We then took the Ferry to Bol, where we learned a small song to sing to the Governer we would be meeting upon arrival. We got to the island of Brač (town of Bol) and sang the song (In a group of people, to my chagrin!)
We were then given time to change into our bathingsuits, and around 5, we all went swimming for a few hours.
The next day, friday, we all went to the beach, where we stayed all day swimming and eating a wonderful lunch at the hotel. That night we wee invited to a Gala, and we got all dressed up. The Gala was at a small restaurant on the beach, with beautiful lights and wonderful food. We met many Rotarians, as the Gala was for a Rotary Tennis tournament. Afterwords, the rotarians went to their hotel, and the exchange students went to a small cafe/bar and ahad coffee for our last night at the coast.
The next morning, we had to be down to the ferry by six am! I could barely move I was so tired. The bus took us home, and during the bus ride we had to sing a song from our country.
The next day, once I had returned home, I took a walk around Varaždin to find my way around.
This morning I woke up early for my first day of school.
At 730, Lidija drove me to the school and I met my class. The first day of school here, You only have to go for an hour or two, so after some of my classmates took the other exchange students and I around Varaždin. I got to see the skatepark, the cemetary, and other cool sights.
Sorry this entry wasnt as long, but I needed to write quickly so I could help Lidija with dinner.
Have a good day
Meghan
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