Monday, March 1, 2010

Happy To Be Living In Croatia



I have everything I need. I do my best to show my appreciation for what my in-laws have done for us. I know they want us to feel comfortable and happy. And although there are days I feel sad and isolated, I try to remain positive. Do you ever feel this way? Conflicted, because you miss your previous hectic-life in spite of having a relaxed and stress-free lifestyle?


Then I tell myself, "what are thinking crazy woman, enjoy your free-time, the minutes you share with your daughter are priceless!"

Since our apartment in Znjan is minutes away from the beach we try to spend our mornings outdoors: walks along the beach or throwing rocks in the sea.


Afternoons we prepare fresh fish from the market. These are langostines or large prawns.


Beli called them, "skapi" (scampi).

Late afternoons are spent outdoors weather permitting or sometimes we visit one of the many museums in Split. This past Sunday was my first visit to Poljud Arena to see the local soccer team Hajduk play it's first match of the season. Fan club Torcida was ecstatic because the team scored, G-O-O-O-L!!!!!!!!


Evenings are spent with friends at one of the many small cafes in the Diocletian Palace.


Since both hubby and I are stay-at-home parents and unemployed we schedule our day around Beli's needs. How can we afford this lifestyle you might ask? Well, we anticipated that finding a job would be near impossible, with recession and all, therefore prior to moving from Colorado, both of us worked long hours, saved as much as possible and when we left the States we were debt-free. We also have the full support of my husband's family. His father found us an apartment fully furnished,(rent-free). My brother-in-law has business partners in Italy exporting fish and once a week he is allotted a tray of fresh fish. His Mom works in a children's department store and we receive discounts when we make purchases for Isabela. All in all, we are blessed. Fortunate. Happy.

42 comments:

  1. Love your pictures! I think we both find 'something' in the sea that helps us on our journeys? I often feel conflicted, but I have come to accept that to be in touch with an array of emotions, to question what we are doing and why - this just means we are living a true and full life... which is surely a good thing. As long as we are questioning and working things out (which we'll probably all be doing forever!) then even though the path is not always smooth, it is true. And that's fine by me :-)

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  2. Alice, I couldn't agree more. I like how you described the sea: " You are infinite, out of our control, and free. You make me realise that there should be no reason to life, only to celebrate that we are here. Today".

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  3. oh i have been wanting to go to croatia for such a long time now! looks so beautiful!

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  4. Sounds like a great life, you guys have.
    And in what a lovely location as well! I definitely have to put Croatia down on my "must see" list!!!

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  5. ... I mean, just look at the view! (Referring to the background of picture with stadium.)

    AND SEAFOOD..........*drools*

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  6. Oh boy, can I relate to feelings of isolation, missing home, etc. Like you, I have to stop and remind myself of how blessed I am to be where I am. This "relaxing" life won't last forever, so we have to make the most of it!

    Though, I think I'd be slightly happier if I could go for walks on the beach every morning. JEALOUS!!!

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  7. I love these images and those langostinos, they look yummy. Garlic prawns. That was my first thought.

    Many thanks.

    Greetings from London.

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  8. Somehow the grass always seems greener on the other side. I often wonder (and hope) that will change with age and wisdom.

    Great photos. Seeing Torcida was lots of fun.

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  9. You are indeed blessed! But I do understand how you would miss your previous life - it's natural that you should! Such a different lifestyle would take some adjustment.

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  10. I'm so glad you connected with my words :-) I have passed the meme over to you, hope you will take part! x

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  11. Leila you must visit Croatia! You won't regret it!

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  12. @Juanita, oh it would fun to meet another fellow blogger, *hint, Hint* LOL.

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  13. Amanda, When I begin to feel "conflicted" I remind myself that this paradise we are living in, is not permanent, that I have to 'disfrutarlo', enjoy it!

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  14. @Cuban, just think we had them twice in one week! Una delicia.

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  15. Bella and scampi-delicious! My children were always willing to try different things. Today, they are grateful they had the opportunity. What lovely photographs of such a lovely place.

    My blog today is about Trader Joe's. Are there Trader Joe's in Croatia?

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  16. blessed indeed! what wonderful pictures and how wonderful to have this time together the three of you!

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  17. Kelly, I often wonder this same thing many times: why the grass is greener on the other side?

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  18. sounds so wonderful! how amazing that you live so close to the ocean.. :)

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  19. These days are treasures for you and your family. Wonderful time to be able to express your creative side. Photographs of your city and your daughter will be so appriciated when your daughter is older.
    You are giving her the best!
    Namaste,
    Sherry

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  20. Elisa: Your cake sounds fabulous too. I love lemony sweets!

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  21. Croatia is such a nice country, but it must be hard not knowing the language in such a different culture...nevertheless it looks like you have a simple and beautiful life over there. Enjoy while you can! I'm sure you'll be back to busy working life in no time! :) thanks for coming by my blog! xxx

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  22. Jay thank you for your encouraging words!

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  23. @from the Kitchen,
    We don't have that store here but there are several stores with that same "feeling". What a yummy cake you made!

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  24. Heather, Beli looks at us in the morning and says Gu Monee Mama and Daddy (good morning) and I melt. I love these moments!

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  25. @tinypaperheart thank you.

    @Sherry thank you! I agree, I enjoy taking photographs, and I have plenty of inspiration.

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  26. @BarceloMia thanks! and I also hope you make your dream of moving to Barcelona come true.

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  27. I'm so happy you stopped by Your Trash, My Treasure!!! I love you blog and love having a friend in Croatia! Your pictures are beautiful in your other blog as well.:) So happy to meet you!!:)

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  28. Thanks! I'm excited to start following your blog now :)

    http://hopechella.blogspot.com/

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  29. Hi Anna! thanks for stopping by, and I'm looking forward to reading more about your adventures with your pup.

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  30. @Hope Chella, thank you!

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  31. That's where I want to live. And how. I want to cherish time with my daughter, with my husband. I think it is cruel that we all spend so much time apart. Much more time than we are together, actually. I am not talking about little L being 2 half days in the nursery. Rather about 60-hour-work-weeks. Being too knackered for proper conversations at weekends. Missing most of what moves the other person. I envy you.
    xx Deborah

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  32. Elisa, saludos desde España, de otra Elisa.

    Os invito a ti y a tus amigos a mi blog de decoración a ver si teneis suerte y os podeis llever algún regalo.

    Uno de los sorteos puedes elegir un bonito regalo y portes incluidos por valor de 70€, es una tienda de antigüedades preciosa.
    Y el otro regalo te encantará porque puedes personalizar un almohadón con una de tus maravillosas fotografías ;)

    SUERTE!!

    http://decoratualma.blogspot.com/

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  33. Deborah,I know the feeling, "..about 60-hour-work-weeks..Missing most of what moves the other person." My hubby and I were missing out on our daughter's growing up. We had so much work, until we said is this what we want?..I do hope you and your husband find a way too.
    With Love,
    Elisa

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  34. Thanks for leaving a comment on my blog and love your photos and lovely positive attitude!! Lx

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  35. I am the other side, and I want to be on your side!!! I wish I was not working and instead spend time with my boys, but I keep telling myself this is how things are for now, and keep trying to be grateful for the moments I share with them.

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  36. by the way, is Isabela going to be expecting to be eating fresh langostinas when she comes to visit....because no ocean here!!!!!

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  37. @family affairs thanks! come visit anytime!

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  38. @Cris, I know how difficult it's for you. Have I told you how much I admire your energy and zest for life?!

    I hope Isabela doesn't want langostinas! haha

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  39. Living abroad is awesome... and really hard. Seems like your doing a great job!
    I've enjoyed scanning through your photos. We went to Cro a few years ago and loved it. Your blog reminds me how much more of the country we need to see.

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  40. Aron thanks for stopping by, what cities did you visit? You know, Croatia is such a small country but it has so much to offer.

    Enjoy your visit to India!

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  41. You guys made a great decision! Whatever you choose to do in the future you will have the best memories in Croatia. You're not missing much here in USA so enjoy yourselves! :)

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  42. Hi, Elisa, Sorry for my belated reply to your message on my blog. I read your blog before coming back to Split this year. When I read your blog again this year, you were already gone. I believe my husband and I have passed by your house many times. Bačvice is five min. from where we live and we love to walk along the beach.

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