A Letter to Split

To the city I now call home, the Croatian man on the bus with an Australian accent, the same bus driver every hour of everyday, and the security guard at the front gate,

You all have contributed a wonderful memory to my life. Without even knowing or trying, you have supplied me with stories that will be apart of me forever. Its those memories that make my time here spectacular.  

Split, you are truly original and authentic. Its wonderful how man and time hasn’t changed you. Every crack, stain and shutter makes for the most beautiful environment. For that, your beauty is timeless. Its amazing how architecture hundreds of years ago was so much more artful and grand than it is today. The point of history books are to learn from our past. Well, with todays technology and ancient buildings, todays architecture doesn’t come close to matching with your beautiful villas and palaces. 

The Croat on the bus with an Australian accent, you honestly made my day when you walked past a group of three Americans and said hello. That one-second and one effort to make us feel welcome really helped. Talking to you on the bus, learning some more Croatian and hearing your stories of your family in Australia couldn’t have made for a better bus ride. I hope we will run into each other more. 

The only bus driver I ever see driving, I don’t understand ONE word you’re saying. You must understand how I feel because you don’t understand ONE word Im saying either. However, you have seen me run for the bus several times now and has waited for me every time. You also let me ride for free once due to frustration of not understanding my English. The best part of it all is that seeing you has become apart of my usual day here. When Im running for the bus, I know that you will be the driver and that we will have an unspoken recognition for each other. 

The security guard at the front gates of Dalmacija, I don’t understand how you work 24/7 but I appreciate that you do. I also like that you always greet me with a smile. Its very welcoming to leave in the morning and come home in the evening to someone who is always excited to see me. You were probably the first person to know my name here and the first person to ask how I was doing. Its also fun to teach you English and to learn the correct pronunciations for the few words I know in Croatian. Hvala! 

So as you see, you all have gone on about your business just as you have everyday before I came but your sincerity has charmed me. Thank you for inviting me in. 

Dobrar dan (good day)!