The Edmans do Dubrovnik (minus Tal)

Its been awhile since my last post because I am currently city hopping around Central Europe (more to come on this part of my trip in the next blog post) but I figured I should write a post about my wonderful week in Dubrovnik, Croatia with my parents!

After 3 planes and 14 hours of traveling I made it to Dubrovnik, Croatia from Dakar Senegal and met up with the parents and our family friends Peter and Mary Petrich.  They had just successfully finished a 12-day bicycle ride through Croatia and the timing worked out perfectly for me to meet up with them for a week before I moved onto Switzerland.  Needless to say the completely walled in old city of Dubrovnik was very different from Dakar.  I think the only thing they have in common is being surrounded by water.  It was nice to be able to walk through the streets of Dubrovnik where no cars are allowed and not be honked at by taxis,  easily drink any of the water, and use public trash cans.  However, it has been a very weird adjustment from Senegal to Europe.  And lets just say my fully braided head of hair was regarded with much more curiosity in Croatia than in Senegal.

Nevertheless, I had a great week with my parents.  We explored the old city of Dubrovnik regarding its many churches, walking the fortress walls, visiting the hill outside of the city walls with a fort build by Napoleon and which now houses a museum about the Yugoslav war between 1991-1995 which greatly affected Dubrovnik, eating delicious seafood at the port and even going to a traditional Croatian dance show (for those of you who have seen my family in The Christmas Revels it was very reminiscent of the Balkan show). 

Mom and I in Dubrovnik

Overlooking the Old City from the fortress walls

Looking down on Dubrovnik from the hillside

Enjoying a drink on the cliffside

Dubrovnik, Croatia

We also did a day trip to Bosnia Herzegovina to visit the cities of Medjugorje and Mostar.  In Mostar, a city destroyed by the Yugoslav wars, we walked the old bridge, which was destroyed in the war, and has since been rebuilt.  For lunch we tried some tradition Cevapi, which is lamb sausage, wrapped in Pita.  Bosnia Herzegovina is also 45% Muslim so while visiting a beautiful mosque in the small town 15^th century town of Pocitelj I got to hear the call to prayer again, one of my many comforts in Dakar.

15th Century town of Pocitelj

Mostar Bridge

Overall it was a wonderful, interesting and relaxing week with two of the best people I know.  Now I am going to get really sappy and thank George and Laura Edman for just being overall two AWESOME people.  I already knew I had some great parents but after being abroad for 4 months I appreciate them even more.  My parents are the reason that I love to travel because they have allowed me the opportunities these past 21 years to explore the world.  You have always told me to keep asking questions and see everything that is out there.  I am very blessed to have parents who not only supported my decision to study abroad in Africa but are currently supporting my 11-day solo adventure through Central Europe.  I know they are probably freaking out at home right now but I would just like to say thank you mom and dad.  It was amazing and such a blessing to spend that week with you in Croatia and I cant wait to see you again in 6 weeks.

The two best people I know, love you Mom and Dad