Aug 16 - Bruno’s Gift

Highlights 
Hostel living 
Sea Organ Melodies
The Breeze!

Hostel life has been a real treat I have to say. Other than my Canadian climatized temperature being quite unaccommodating.  I would stay in a new hostel every night easily if I didn’t have to pack up each time (yup still my largest hassle so far). So to stop my whining about that - I have packed up the box to send home. Now, figuring out how the hell to do that. 

Not much to say about today, actually this time. I woke up to some fun banter between the drunk girls who noisily got in around 3 am? And the couple staying in the room - 8 bed mixed dorm did I mention? This was the only thing available when I looked up Split - I’m guessing because of the holiday or maybe just because it’s also August.  So the couple wakes up early ish - and start talking to one another in a different language normal tone, not whispering or even attempting to be polite. I kind of thought, hopefully they leave soon, and one of the party girls turns over and says ‘Think you could at least pretend to whisper - there are people still trying to sleep’. Started my day with a chuckle - and at that point decided to sneak away. 

I journeyed into Zadar not really having any plan. Thought about joining a walking tour of the city and then bailed every time. I window shopped, drank two coffees at a waterfront cafe, sat by the sea organ for about an hour until finally deciding to head back. 

I arrived to an empty room! Hallelujah! I literally danced and turned the fan on, why this wasn’t on last night is a mystery. I packed up the box of all my ‘don’t want this in my bag crap’ and felt pretty good. I decided to award myself with some beach time. 

Enjoyed the sun, walked the beach, dived into the restaurant located right at the beach and enjoyed some wine and a fantastic lamb dish. WAY too much food. From there I stumbled up to the hostel to find

the room dark but filled with new bags. It was around 10 at this point so I thought some people may be sleeping. After I tripped over three duffles and finally adjusted to the dark I realized it was fairly silent... looking around best I could it seemed I was alone - so I flicked the lights and indeed my tip toe adventure was for nothing but my own amusement at how ridiculously Canadian I am trying to be polite, for no one. 

Moments later, in enters - ya I have no idea what his name was... typical Meagan - which is sad because he was quite handsome and very polite. Introduced himself right away and said he was here with his friends from Zagreb - they had all come down for the weekend to party and were headed to Śibenik? Early the next morning around 10. He then asked if I was travelling with anyone and I noted I was just by myself and then he somewhat concerned asked ‘are you comfortable in the room with 6 men?’ I said, well I don’t really get to choose - clearly Bruno thought I would be fine so... yes? I said I’m pretty easy going and would love to meet them all but I had an early morning and also was suffering from a food coma... also suffering from being a bit bashful as I was only wearing a swim suit and tank top - my bed attire as it was again so hot in the room. 

He said perhaps a coffee in the morning. That sounded perfect to me. He left and moments later two of the others came in and we also had a good conversation. They warned me of their snoring and I laughed saying I would be fine. I had brought my ear plugs if anything - since hostels are never quiet really. 

I quickly fell asleep, only once hearing some of them come in for the night. It wasn’t until early the next day that I could understand what they warned me about. That, is how I start my next entry though - for now a few photos from my relaxed day. 

Beside the sea organ and Sun Worship monument were these delightful piano seats. Cute!

My coffee spot for way too long - although spoiler I’ve learned that it’s very local to have coffee at cafes for hours... I’ll save that story 

View of the sunset along the beach path I walked along in Diklo. 

  

Worship to the sun monument - it includes a scaled size sun along with every planet which you can see in the second picture although it does no justice - both the sea organ and this were built by the same architect. 

The church of Hostel Diklo! 

  

Guess I’ll take the dumbest selfie possible since a million others did while I sat here to draw for a bit. 

Streets of Zadar didn’t have too many cats. They were majestic when spotted  though like they knew you were photographing them. 

My lord - this is the lamb dinner I had holy moly - he brought the bread last and I was like - where was that 30 minutes ago!?

Writing post cards - the wind is such a blessing here but while I was sitting two of the massive um fellas actually toppled over - luckily no one sitting under them...