Visiting friends in Zagreb

We knew there was a 99.9777778% chance that it would rain during our stay in Zagreb, and guess what it did! But  that didn't put a damper in our mood and we enjoyed it for several reasons: not only was it my first visit to the capital city, but it was also a reunion for hubby and his friend Iv. (will explain shortly) and we celebrated Iv's  birthday on Saturday night with music, wine and lots of food.

So this is the story about the reunion, 17 years ago there was a music competition in the town of Kastela, there were 48 participants, amongst them  hubby's band. And it came to the final day of the competition when the finalists were to be announced. It was a bitter sweet night for hubby's parents, not only were they proud that their son was amongst the finalists but they also thought about the following day; they were sending their son off to school in the States. So third place was announced, then second, then first place...Hubby's band won! My in-laws  cheered, yet they also  felt a lump in their throat as this was their last celebration before it was time  to say farewell. Hubby went to the States to finish his last year in high school, and the band disintegrated when they lost their lead singer. So fast forward to the year 2010 when Hubby and Iv. (one of the members of the band) reunited to play that special song (for their lovely wives) that placed them in first place when they were juniors in high school. I'm not sure what happened to the other band member? hubby lost contact. So as you can see, it was a very special weekend.

The next day, we woke up to rain but we faced the morning with umbrellas and jackets. Our friends gave us the tour around the downtown area of Zagreb. 

One of the main streets, ILICA street.

As I was walking and looking at the architecture, Mrs Iv. began to tell us about how every day at exactly 12 noon the city fires a cannon. I looked around me and I asked, "where?why?" She  was about to explain when.... BOOM we heard the cannon go off. It caught me off guard and I trembled at the sound of an explosion in the distance.

We got distracted by these pigeons flying above us that we didn't get to hear the details behind the firing of the cannon, but I did a bit or research and here is the scoop, according to history the origin of the reason behind the firing of the cannon varies depending on who tells the story but one thing is for sure, 

every day since 1877 the cannon is right on time at 12 noon, so be prepared for the sound! You can read more about the the Grič cannon here.

 Changing of the guards at St. Mark's square

 Beli enjoying chasing pigeons and stepping on leaves with Luka.

How I had to convince Beli to put on her jacket when she cried and she screamed, "NO JACKET!"

Afterwards we headed back home with two very happy children.

These are some photos I captured from the  road. Tomorrow we're planning to visit the Neanderthal museum in the town of Krapina and hopefully visit the Trakoscan  Castle!