Rukomet!!!!!!!! (Handball)

So, Zagreb is a little bit wild right now, as Croatia has just won their semi-final of the men's handball championship - they play France on Sunday.

I get "adopted" by my host family tomorrow - we're going to a big reception and meeting them, then moving in. I'll be glad to move in, unpack, get settled.

I went to meet with Goga, our program assistant, yesterday, to do an interview with her regarding my homestay - I didn't know that we really had any choice/agency in the matter, so I didn't give it ANY thought at all.... so I told her that I think I'd like a larger family (with more people to talk to), maybe some kids to interact with. SO, we'll see!!!!!!!

Ž is for Žohar

So far, everything is surreal. I can't believe I'm back in Europe, in eastern Europe. Croatia is where it is AT. There is an incredible mix of culture that is absolutely fascinating.

I am in love with the Croatian language too. I've definitely jumped right into it, I want to learn as much of it as possible while I'm here, it has its outrageous benefits. For example: I asked the hostel manager how much 30 minutes of internet cost (something like, ''Koliko košta trideset minuta internet?'') - she said, ''For you, free.''

Ž is for Žohar (cockroach) - we were practicing the Croatian alphabet in class today, that was the first word that came into my head when Marija, our language instructor, asked us what started with Ž (zhuh).

So, short post for now, I want to Skype home before my time runs out. Love to all.

P.S. I got a fantastic Italian dinner with wine last night for 35 kuna (about $7 - everyone NEEDS to make the trip!!!)

Grüß Gott!

Greetings from Vienna, Austria! We landed safely around 7:30 this morning (1:30AM in DC) and we're currently basking in the glorious free WiFi Vienna Internat'l before flying to Zagreb in about an hour.

I met up with about 10 other people on the program at JFK yesterday (2 others have met up with us here at the gate in Vienna) - they are all, in short, awesome. Everyone is from all over the States, but mostly New England and California/West Coast. Emma is the other cultural anthro major, we sat next to each other on the flight.

Our flight was great. Excellent food, service. I spoke German with the flight attendants, and so I'm feeling pretty comfortable so far. So glad to be back in Europe!

More from Zagreb!

Stay in Touch!

I set up my Skype account today - my username is lzkblr - so feel free to Skype me anytime. I got the Unlimited US/Canada subscription, so I'll be able to call everyone at home on landlines and cells... I think I might set up an online number too, so that you all can call me for your regular rates! I freaking love globalization sometimes!!

I leave on Monday - I don't really know how to describe my feelings, except that I am ready to go. I've been waiting and planning and talking and thinking about it for so long, that I just want to be there already!

My next update will be from Zagreb, Croatia - Our Lady of Takeoffs and Landings, pray for us!

News & Current Events in the Balkans

Balkan Insight:
http://www.balkaninsight.com

BBC Europe:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/world/europe/

Balkan Investigative Reporting Network:
www.birn.eu.com

One Month!

me: "I'm studying abroad in the Balkans."
you: "....hmmm.... where is that....?"
me: "You know, Croatia, Bosnia, Serbia, Kosovo?" (or a simple, "near Italy." HA.)
you: "Whoa. You can go there?"
me: "Um, sure, why not..."
you: [inevitably] "Don't they have, like, landmines?"

I'm leaving in a month. Jittery, restless, excited.... but I still have a long To Do list!

Sretan božić i sretna nova godina!
(Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZDd_Km853P4&feature=related

Sarajevo Roses

For those who are curious...

"A Sarajevo Rose is a concrete scar caused by a mortar shell's explosion that was later filled with red resin. Mortar rounds landing on concrete create a unique fragmentation pattern that looks almost floral in arrangement. Because Sarajevo was a site of intense urban warfare and suffered thousands of shell explosions during the Bosnian War, the marked concrete patterns are a unique feature to the city.

As the capital city of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Sarajevo was a central zone of conflict during the Bosnian War. The Bosnian Serb Army deployed troops and artillery in the surrounding hills, and on May 2, 1992 began imposing a blockade on all traffic in and out the city, starting what was to be known as the Siege of Sarajevo. The Bosnian Serb Army constantly bombarded the civilian population in the city in an effort to prevent the home army from deploying. It has been estimated that on an average day more than 300 shell rounds were fired into the city.

As a memorial, throughout the city, explosion marks have been filled with red resin to mark where mortar explosions resulted in one or more deaths." -Wikipedia "Sarajevo Rose"