Beautiful views of Split, Croatia

In case you are wondering if that's the actual name of the city, it is and go ahead you can make the jokes. I was surprised with the name as well when I first met my hubby and he said, "yes I'm from Split, pronounced like a banana split!" I giggled as suddenly I had a craving for ice cream. Even though I have lived here for over a year, everyday I'm discovering new panoramic views of the city.

This hotel is owned by the mayor of the city, and it has been under construction for years. Politics and lack of money are to blame for the slow process.

My friends from Italy, South Africa and France. I do wonder what's on their mind.

Usually this street is busy with cars and we have to be careful and get out of the way, the drivers are insanely fast!
It was a warm morning and this cute dog was getting a bath under one of many water faucets found all over the city.

What do you enjoy the most about the city you live in? For me, it's the serenity found driving along the coast, the views are spectacular. Although I have to be brave about the windy roads. You don't want to know what happened when we traveled from Italy a few years ago. Ok, I will tell you. I was behind the driver's seat and hubby was driving and his Dad was in the front and his Mom in the back next to me. I began to feel nauseous and had to ask hubby to pull over. You know what happened next right? Then we drove to Opatija, beautiful town along the north coast of Croatia, where we stopped at a pharmacy. I explained to the pharmacist I needed tablets for motion sickness or nausea. Hubby said, "they don't have any." I replied, "I really need dramamine tablets" and the lady behind the counter said with her Croatian accent, "oh you need dramamine, of course we have it!" I guess it was my fault because I assumed the name would be different in Croatian. Lesson of the story, I always carry dramamine in my purse.

Update: (Thank you for your kind comments and prayers for Beli's great-grandfather. He remains hospitalized, still in critical condition.)

Day for Pampering

Thursdays are spent with friends from school. We call it our Day for Women. It's when we leave our kids at home and we gather for a morning of fun. The idea started a few weeks ago as the result of our desire to continue practicing our Croatian language as well as getting to know each other better.
Since today was a very warm day, or so the forecast advised, we first walked a bit around Marjan Hill then took a detour to the beach. I love,love the clear blue sea. Afterwards we walked to N's home and we prepared a quick lunch. I peeked around her backyard. Look at these fruit trees! Oranges won't be ready until this fall.

But lemons will be ready soon.

And look at these peaches! Maybe we can make peach cobbler? Or remember the French-Croatian lemon cake I made a few months ago? Maybe prepare it with peaches instead, what do you think, any ideas?

We didn't make specific plans for next Thursday, maybe a movie? I heard Sex and the City Part II is coming soon to a theater near us.

How do you pamper yourself?