Life Took Me To Croatia
It was a few years ago when life took me to the beautiful island of Brač, Croatia. There was a competition I hadn’t really planned on going to and one day to the next, I found myself on Bol Beach. I didn’t even check the map before to see where it was. Sometimes I travel like that, without prescience, on purpose. During the competition I had the chance to cruise around a bit, enjoy the beautiful turquoise waters, but most importantly, I got to feel the atmosphere of Bol, where I met some people I connected with from the very first second we met.
We would talk about life, health, travel, love, politics, feelings, religion. The fact that there are people all around the globe that are on such a similar frequency has always amazed me, but that there were so many of those people from all over the world all together in the same place, at Bol Beach, was a big, and welcome surprise for me!
My new friends told me so much about the history of Croatia and about Brač Island. It was fantastic to hear how much they knew about their roots and history and how excited they were to share it.
That was how I was introduced to the culture of this country, through my new friends’ voices and personal anecdotes. We travelled together to the mainland, to the historic city of Split. I was mesmerised by all those stories and places, so much happening since so long ago. It reminded of Cadiz (my home town), also a very old and interesting town. I like to believe that this heritage from so many different civilisations and cultures has influenced the character of this extraordinary people.
If I have to say something about the Croatians, I would say they are happy and smiley, very welcoming and hospitable to new people. They always made feel at home and integrated in their community. This doesn’t happen in every country. When you are travelling for most of the year, it is very pleasant to feel part of a group, so I am very grateful to them for it.
The comp ended and after a few days travelling, I had to leave for Spain. My mind was racing, full of amazing ideas and conversations, beautiful landscapes, images of sunsets from little villages by the sea with imposing castles and old bridges…
There was something in this place that captivated me so much. I know I left a part of me there. And I took part of it with me. So much so that I made some decisions during the next year that were born of those deep conversations with my Croatian friends; about being true to oneself and putting all your energy in what you really love. This land had a little place in my heart, and I knew – I REALLY KNEW- I was going to come back.
