Life In The Middle: Drinking in Croatia Edition
Americans can have a rather dated view when it comes to Eastern European countries.
Maybe its because we’re influenced by TV shows and movies (honestly, Jack Ryan kicking Communist Russian ass was rather ego-soothing back in the day), or maybe its the lingering tinge of fear and mistrust the Cold War brought with it. But, nonetheless, a stereotype remains: Eastern Europe isn’t that pretty.
If you’re thinking that right now, let me dispel your thoughts by introducing you to Opatija, a small city on the Adriatic coast of Croatia.
Opatija (pronounced O-pot-chee-ah) is a beautiful seaside town that allures and attracts people from around Europe; walking down the street and hearing Dutch, German, French and other languages spoken isn’t uncommon, and the entire area has a very wide European flair. But what I think matters the most about this charming town is its absolute lack of any Eastern European stereotypes or tropes. No imposing concrete structures, hard-nosed locals with hearts of stone, and broken-down transports (besides that one mad ride I had in a Skoda; perhaps a story for another time). Which is what a lot of my American friends were shocked by when I showed them pictures of the city and its people.
Opatija and Croatia’s Adriatic coast is absolutely beautiful; teeming with that relaxed Mediterranean feel, Opatija makes you just want to slow down and enjoy the scenery. And what scenery! An adventurous tuk-tuk ride up the Učka mountain range brought with it breathtaking views of the Adriatic coast, the Croatian countryside, and (in the distance, on a clear day) the faint outline of Venice.
And the people: kind, generous people whose only wish is that you stop and take a bit to enjoy life. The hosts of the villa we rented were beyond kind in their hospitality, and many was the evening where drinks and conversation flowed from their outdoor kitchen setting. Jokes, toasts, questions, and conversations all brought us a little closer together and helped us to understand each other just a bit better.
That’s one of the things that I absolutely love about traveling: the ability for me to have my perceptions and stereotypes challenged and smashed. I didn’t realize how much of my view of others was shaped by media and the news until I actually traveled to those countries and experienced encountering peoples and cultures on their home turf. Are there imposing concrete structures and people with hearts as hard as a Siberian winter? Sure there are; in fact, they are everywhere, not just in one particular region. But those people, buildings and feelings do not define an entire region and people; travel helps to expose that and show us that, at the end of the day, we are not all too different. Beauty, wonder, and kindness pervade all these amazing places, and travel will help us to see that.
And I believe that that’s something to toast to. Rakia, anyone?
