A Split Second in Paradise

Paradise: heaven as the ultimate abode of the just. That would be the best and only way to explain my new home. 

I entered this country with grandiose and romantic ideas of what it would be like. Just as New York City was for me, living in Split is much different than it would appear from movies and pictures. There have only been a couple familiarities thus far- McDonalds and Dean Martin’s Thats Amore playing on the radio. For an outsider like myself, it would seem impossible to be able to adapt to European living. 

My new residence is called Vila Dalmacija. It was previously lived in by the President of Split, so you can imagine the grander of the scenery around. With it being LITERALLY on the water, it sets up a picturesque surrounding thats fit for a movie set. Everything here, for lack of a better word, is old. You step inside the Vila and just feel the history of the place and think about past tenants and their stories. All the broken shutters and cracks on the walls really make you wonder how they got there and the purpose for it still being there. I have much more exploring to do.

I also did some walking around the downtown area today. Its just a quick walk away but a huge change in pace. Its a small metropolis filled with bustling cars, pedestrians and shops. Of course, no restaurant is without an outdoor seating area. If the weather is in your favor, you can enjoy an inexpensive piece of thin crust pizza and soda for the price of 20 kunas (or $4). Thats exactly what this new local did today. Sitting outside overlooking the ocean and taking advantage of the free local wifi, poses for a perfect afternoon.

So far, there haven’t been any huge language barriers. Its actually very endearing to hear their efforts in speaking English and hear what combination of words they decide to use. Sometimes it even works in your favor. For instance, the bus driver told me the fare was 20 kunas and after handing him the exact amount, he gave me 10 kunas back. You can’t complain about that. I have also been surprised with how welcoming people are and how interested they are to talk with me. Its refreshing. 

Stepping off the plane and landing in Split was a huge culture shock for this American. It is going to take A LOT of getting use to. At the end of the day though, I can handle a few changes in appliances, get use to open living concept, and learn to appreciate the uneven roads.