Geography/History/Politics 101

I just put salt in my coffee because I cannot read Croat labels.

Croatia visits: Zagreb (the capital), Zadar on the sea, Plitvice National Park, Split (on the Adriatic also), and Dubrovnik (the farthest south city in an oddly shaped country).

I am so glad to have taken this trip. I would not have done it this way without the pain of divorce, the circumstance of loss. I would not have done it at all because the former spouse does not travel. 

Loss. Each person goes through their life tunnels of darkness. I have too many friends processing cancer presently. It is not right nor fair. Life is such an odd mixture of what does and does not happen. Is there conclusion or summary to life? I do not know.


I have learned of geography, history, politics. I learned how little I know of the world except the United States. Without question, citizens of other countries know  world history and present-day politics. They know more about North America. Perhaps they learn because European countries are smaller and interface with each other through invasions, marauders, wars, relatives, and cultures. 

Historical length of the region is vast and embraces Neanderthals, Illyrian tribes, Rome, neighboring countries they loved - then fought in civil wars. The split of the former Yugoslavia in the 1990s into six countries. The birth of the EU as well. They dramatically live history today. 

These countries are modern in many but not all ways. A seemingly insignificant example, they use a flush toilet system that delivers with a whoosh. It is better than ours with a ball and chain in the tank. In Germany, Austria, Croatia, bottles and cans are recycled and can be returned for the cash deposit. Each country has significant recycling programs in place. And the prevalent use of small engines and cars! Shame on us! They drive fast and have highways (with far less potholes). It is not speed we are addicted to.


I am repeating thoughts of previous posts but I reflect.

Education. In Ljubljana, Slovenia, university students pay 60 euro a year to attend. $90. The rest is paid for by the state. This beats the quarter of a million dollars my child will pay for a veterinary degree. International vet students are SHOCKED to learn what an American student pays and how long they must attend school because American students must obtain the undergraduate degree as a prerequisite to beginning veterinary studies.

Thinking can be more embracing and accepting of different lifestyles than our own. Not Muslim countries of course - as a solo woman, I have stayed away from those areas.

People do care how America performs because it has a world effect and in general, they like Americans.


I wonder if America does not relish its past glory a little too much when it should be asking and acting on different questions about America's future - educational system, health-care, our people, our emptiness, our materialism and consumption.


We are a friendly nation. We are easy to smile and laugh. We are willing to help throughout the world. 

Yet we are not alone. And time has moved on. So must the United States...