Study Abroad Europe 2009

So after the FSU Dubrovnik program was over, Dr M, Jason & I flew together to Zagreb and then took a 6 hour train ride to Beograd (Belgrade)... The train actually took closer to 8 hours but it was okay because each cabin had 6 seat, 3 and 3... and they could swing forward creating a flat bed!! So Jason and I talked and napped.. We thought Dr M might like some grown up time to herself. When we arrived at the station there were some police men wearing berets... Then we caught a cab to our apartment* (communist) where we met the owner who let us in and gave us the keys..
The next morning as we were leaving our apartment, I stepped into a hole... badly injuring my left ankle... After wards we walked around looking at churches and museums and we walked through the fortress*... had a very nice lunch at the cafe on top.. then we saw an art gallery outside & a war memorial dedicated to the Muslims who fought alongside the Serbs..
The next day we did the same, except we also went to the Princesses Palace and Tito's grave* and the War Museum. We also walked to the largest Orthodox Church in the World*...

The 4th day in Belgrade left us at the train station, where Dr M, Jason & I split up & went our separate ways... Jason taking the night train to Budapest & Dr M and I taking the afternoon train back to Zagreb.

Luckily for us, we had Maja's (pronounced Maya) number and when we got close to the novi grad (new city) Zagreb, we texted her & she met us at the train! Maja then helped us find our apartment and helped me carry my suitcase. Afterward, we met up with her sister Dina while getting coffee and we all went out for pizza. After pizza we said our good nights and went our separate ways. Dr M & I finally did our laundry!!! It was in a very small washer but our clothes drier faster than in Beograd or Dubrovnik because it was cooler and less humid in Zagreb.

After another day of parks and churches, Dr M & I had dinner at a local bistro & called it a night. Then next day we met up with Maja for lunch and then went walking around the stari grad (old city).. Then we went window shopping with Maja.. before heading to dinnner, Maja told us her family would like to have us over for dinner our last night in Zagreb.. for traditional Croatian BBQ... We said sure!

The next day we were suppose to go to see the Lakes* but my ankle was throbbing so I had to ice it and keep off it for a few hours.. Then in the afternoon Dr M and I went to the Zoo... where they had an American black bear! lol Afterwards we rushed home to change and then Maja picked us up with her very tall father and drove us across town from Stari to Novi, past the American Embassy... We met Maja & Dina's sister with her 6 month old Peter, their parents and their uncle (who owns a wine vineyard in Slovenia & BiH). We ate cevapi!

The next morning (July 13) Maja & Dina picked us up in their car @ 540am... and took us to the airport.. Then Dr M & I flew to the Split airport and took a taxi to Troger*.. we got there at 730am and left to go back to the airport at 11am... and we flew from Troger/Split to Dubrovnik where Dr M and I split up finally.. she went into the city to see Nada & I caught a Bristish Airways flight to London.

I arrived at 4pm.. and checked into the Hilton!! Took a long hot shower.. then went up to the free executive bar & had something tasty... Went to sleep around 9pm.. Dr M flew in around midnight & left @ 5amish..

I got up around 9 & caught a bus to Heathrow to find Dani. Then we took the tube to the FSU Study Centre in Bloomsbury... Then we found a pub & had lunch, found our hostel (the Pheonix) and had a drink and went to sleep...

More tomorrow...







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