Wow are football supporters loud

When I first found out there would be a World Cup qualifying match in Zagreb while I was there, I was excited and wanted very much to go. I tried with no luck to buy them online- you have to be a member of the Scottish Football Association to buy from them and a Croatian citizen to buy from Croatian football, so with little fanfare I walked myself 3 km to the stadium today- match day, and stood in line with another 50 people to buy my ticket. 

Of course when we arrived yesterday we started to see what we were in for. I booked a studio apartment just off the main square in Zagreb thinking what a great location, we can walk all over, etc. never did I think about the visiting team supporters OR the fact that Friday night would be a crazy loud spectacle... and probably underestimating the soundproofness of windows in a building right off a square in the middle of a very old city. Hmmm. These things might cross my mind next time- must have long memory for this. 

Anyway, last night (Thursday) there was much noise, talking, music playing, etc. until around 11, but there was still noise. Now, about 6:30 (game time is 8:15) there is a LOT of noise, and of course now I see the bar about 30 feet from our window. The music blaring and the off key singing...ha! They were very excited about that havering song just now. I guess it's a good thing I won't need to hear the game as I'm sitting in the stadium. These folks are loud. Oh, and there goes the bagpipes again. 

It is fun to see people throughout the city wearing kilts and jerseys, sometimes kilts with Croatian jerseys. In all they are football supporters, and seem to respect each other as they come together for the love of the game. I can't wait to see what I'm in for once I get to the stadium. Oy!

Relaxing too much to blog

My apologies:) Since we arrived in Zadar, Croatia we have been either busy with activities (Plitvice Lakes Sunday, Preko on Ugljan Island today) and relaxing so I haven't had time to sit and think about writing. 

Zadar is beautiful. We are staying in the old town, and old towns are my favorite places. The streets are usually narrow so they are mainly pedestrian only. And let's not forget the streets are not in grids. These streets grew organically for one reason or another. Zadar is actually a walled city. I think this is the first one I've stayed in. It's amazing how many parts are intact, and really how much they have excavated or preserved. Streets that people have walked on for hundreds of years. There are columns & other items sitting in the area that was the site of the roman forum and I couldn't help but run my hand over these marble items that were carved so many years ago. It makes me feel connected to history and marvel at their skill and knowledge that has created this thing that is still here. Then you see a dog pee somewhere and you realize there probably is not a place here where a dog hasn't peed. I mean, it's a walled city on a peninsula and it's been here forever. Certainly at some point in time a dog has peed in every inch, there's just no way it hasn't happened. That's all I'm saying. Watch where you put your hand;)

How do we reform Oregon drivers???

If you live in Portland you know you've been a part of at least one conversation that included the phrase, "Why do people here drive so badly?" When I first moved here I was told they didn't have to take drivers ed so I thought it was a simple answer 'inbred driving',  the parents have to teach the children so they learn all their bad habits. I've been told since that there are driving courses so there goes my theory.

Of course long ago I joined the 'if you can't beat them join them' wagon and mostly I just contribute to the problem. Notice also that I don't drive much in Portland or elsewhere, (BTW is Seattle any better?)

I bring this up because today driving  on winding Slovenian roads I regained the driving pleasure Volkswagen used to tote (while driving a VW no less). The rule of 'stay right except to pass', coupled with what I assume is lax speed enforcement made for such a smooth drive that I truly enjoyed zooming in and out of traffic. I didn't mind seeing a car nearing in my rearview mirror, it just moved me into action to get around that slower vehicle even faster. Appropriately placed passing lanes and cars anticipating each other's moves, the whole experience seemed like one giant organism of traffic working together. 

Now back to my original question, how do we fix what Portland drivers have become? By now I'm sure we transplants outnumber the natives so it should be simple. I'll be out of the country for another week and a half so do some brainstorming and when I return we can implement the 'Re-ignite Your Driving Pleasure' campaign. Who's with me?

Day of Firsts!!

First time renting a car in a foreign country-yippee for me!

First time EVER having your car towed-bwah-wah (think losing noise on The Price is Right).

We're all the same, but different...

Culture is always something that piques my interest.  A few years ago it was brought to my attention what a large part religion plays in cultures.  Today I have considered the same of sport. I wouldn't say necessarily that sport shapes the culture as religion has (maybe a micro culture) but how sport brings out the piousness in some people and how in others the sport itself is the center of their religion. 

Culture is tricky at any rate because there is little likelihood of 100% inclusiveness. Even in Canada where  hockey was born and thrives you will find people that couldn't care less aboat hockey. But it is such a facet that when I flew through Vancouver in place of the boring CNN news that I see at domestic airports they had on Hockey Night in Canada which highlighted the playoff game between the Detroit Red Wings and Chicago Blackhawks. It was here at a random gate I engaged in friendly hockey talk aboat the recent games, coaches etc. I felt at home of course because hockey is my favorite sport and in Portland I don't often feel this camaraderie (yet also don't seek it out). I know I'm not alone and others have experienced this with their own, but this made me love Canada more. 

At the same time the fans of Bayern Munich were celebrating winning the Champions League. For those of you that don't follow or have any knowledge of international soccer there's no real comparison in any mainstream American sports. Ha! Okay, I guess it is like every mainstream sport, but in Europe there is not just one league like in the US. Top teams from across Europe no matter the league play each other for this trophy.

So- skip to walking through Munich airport and thinking how nice so many people are wearing the scarves and jerseys, but then I remember that they just won THE big game one day previous. Many I suspect we're returning from the game in London. Again I am reminded how sport is so important to culture. I felt an appreciation for their pride of sport. I'll try to remember the next time I encounter Americans draped in the garb of their favorite team, it's cultural! Go Wings! Go Timbers!

-thanks to Siri in helping me transcribe this blog ;)

Cucumber sandwich, anyone?

Buddha's backside