Well, things being what they are, we got a late start and ended up in Zagreb with just enough time to…eat! We went to a wonderful old-style restaurant near Trg Republik and spent several hours there as the only people in the restaurant, with one waiter. I felt like I was in a movie. Except that the soundtrack was still American oldies, like Frank.
I’ve had a great time with Slavko and Cynthia on this portion of the trip, but I will be fine with getting home. Zagreb does look in better shape than many of the other cities I’ve visited. It still has an older, aura, sort of Austro-Hungarian style, at least in the section we visited. I couldn’t recognize the Youth Hostel I stayed in so long ago when we drove past, and the train station’s bigger. But, maybe because of the time of year, things were slow, and everyone was probably at the coast.
I made my plane just fine, and the trip to the hotel from the Frankfurt airport went smoothly. My German is really horrible; with the exception of English, I think I speak all these other languages like a 2-year old, if that. And everyone in these cities speaks English; it’s practically a crime.
My final breakfast was an uneventful but delicious buffet, while I watched TV and a news report about people getting massacred in Pittsburgh. No problems getting to the plane or on the plane for the very long trip back.
In Toronto, US customs made me unpack my bag completely. The woman was actually nice, and was amazed at how few clothes I had. She seemed perplexed by my interest in folk music and dance. I had to go through security twice, but finally made it through.
Safe landing in Seattle, bus ride back to Symphony Hall, where the lovely Sandra picked me up. And so, another adventure ends. If you’ve read this far, I hope some of it was at least entertaining and thought-provoking. For me, I do this to go back and remember details I might have forgotten. OK, till the next trip, then…in the mean time, today’s my birthday, and we’re going to the Dahlia Lounge to celebrate!
