Split, Croatia – my first of 12 international homes over the next year and I feel like I won the lottery! My apartment is right on the beach of the Adriatic Sea. I’m still pinching myself that I get to wake up to these stunning views! And I couldn’t be any closer to our co-working space – it’s on the ground floor of my apartment building. Everywhere I go I’m surrounded by ocean, palm trees and blue sky.
Yes, it’s distracting and I’m not sure how much work I’m really getting done but I’ve decided it’s only week one of 52 weeks and I should really ease into this remote working lifestyle. After all, there’s jet lag to consider, right?
Our group, known as Balboa – named after Vasco Núñez de Balboa, the first European to reach the Pacific Ocean from the New World – is made up of 58 people and 12 nationalities. We represent Canada, USA, England, Australia, Hong Kong, India, South Africa and more. There’s an equal split of guys and girls, ranging from 21 to 41 years old. More than half (60%) are employees still working for their employer back home and the rest of us are freelancers or entrepreneurs.
Shifting my mindset from employee to entrepreneur has been the biggest adjustment so far. I’ve spent the pasts 12 years working for one company who told me what hours to work, which projects to lead and who was on my team. Now I wake up and answer only to me! It’s liberating and daunting at the same time. I have so many ideas and so many projects I want to pursue. I have personal and professional goals. Plus I want to explore my new home. It’s hard to focus and not run from one thing to the next.
Overwhelm is a word I’ve heard often this week, either from myself or my fellow remotes. It’s easy to get swept up in the excitement of somewhere new and want to do everything all at once.
One of the advantages of being one of the more “mature” remotes, is knowing who I am. I know to rest when my body is tired, to eat when I’m hungry, to drink water even when I don’t think I’m thirsty and to be alone when I need to recharge. Yes, I’m here to stretch and grow as a person, which at times will be uncomfortable, but the core of me will not change. I am who I am. And I love who I am!
Although the first few days overwhelmed me, I’ve quickly remembered what I need to start my day – gratitude, meditation, stretching, hot water with lemon and my morning music playlist. If I can start everyday with these things, I’m prepared for the day ahead. I feel grounded and connected.
Week one is wrapping up and I’ve found my way to the grocery store, the mall and paths along the sea. I’ve walked into Old Town, where the local older generation, bundled in winter coats, were shocked at my short sleeves. They smiled and called out to me, pointing at my bare arms. One man shouted “You very satisfying woman!” – I’ll take that to mean he appreciated the fact that I do my own thing. Even though it’s winter, I’m going to wear what I want! I believe it has always been this way for me…I simply do what feels right for me.
In my limited conversations with local Croatians, they’ve proudly told me they have mastered the art of doing nothing. Their lifestyle is very relaxed (lazy is the word they used but I believe it is more laid-back then lazy). Naps are strongly encouraged, something I completely support, and had a long conversation with a local about what makes the perfect nap! (We agreed that two hours is ideal, under the covers, in bed.)
They value personal connections with family and friends and will spend hours over coffee talking. They welcome you into their homes and businesses and make you feel like family. I have felt completely safe to wander, get lost, ask directions, try new foods and practice my very limited Croatian words!
Five things I’ve noticed that are the same:
- Children play with kids they don’t know and make up their own games
- A smile goes a long way
- Vehicles drive on the right-hand side of the road
- Chocolate croissants are delicious
- Being near water (lake, sea or ocean) is calming
Five things I’ve noticed that are different:
- Everyone smokes, everywhere
- No bath tubs
- Pedestrians do not have the right of way
- Hot water is a limited luxury
- Operating instructions for a washing machine or dishwasher in a foreign language are not intuitive!
Next week I’m planning a few adventures and hoping to get a better sense of daily life in Croatia. Is there anything you’d like to know or any suggestions for me to do? I’d love to hear from you below!
Hi Michelle! Sounds super awesome so far!! 🙂 Would love to know what kinds of things you’re eating and what the food culture is like over there 🙂
Keep the wonderful stories of your adventure coming. Xoxo
Thanks Ashley! Great question – I’ve been searching for “traditional” Croatian food. The area I’m in right now is on the beach so it’s very casual food – pizza, burgers, etc. but the pizza is very thin crust with minimal toppings (yummy!) Dinners are often handmade pasta, seafood stew or a fillet of the daily catch (bass, cod, etc.) A local breakfast food is “bukta”, a sweet pastry stuffed with spinach or meat. So far I’ve enjoyed everything – although I hesitated when the waiter brought me the whole fish, head and tail, for me to de-bone before eating!
The food culture is v-e-r-y slow! Coffee is meant to take hours to finish…locals will sit for three to four hours sipping coffee and chatting. Dinner is served late (because everyone has been sitting around sipping coffee all day or napping), with many restaurants not even open until 8pm! But oh the cheese and the olive oils – delish!! We’re doing a “foodie” tour next week so I’ll be sure to report back with further observations. 🙂
Hello Michelle, I am following you like a happy puppy!! I’m loving your style of writing. You make the reader feel that we are right there with you. Congratulations on living your dream. Looking forward to all your upcoming adventures, and thoughts. Hugs from Kelowna!!
Thank you Barb, you are so sweet! I appreciate your support. It feels amazing to wake up every morning and realize I am living my dream – eeek! And thank you for the hugs – I’ll always take those! 🙂
Hello sweetheart. What a wonderful post. Thanks for showing us the human side of Croatia as well as the sights .I was wondering what the main industry is there. Tourism for sure, but what else. Someone has to be supporting all those napping coffee drinkers. haha. Enjoy the sunshine and palm trees and the beautiful sea. We are getting the kind of rain that we won’t appreciate until mid-July. Love you lots Mom xo
Thanks mom! The economy is hurting here – many locals tell us they used to work on the sea in the shipping industry but since the price of oil dropped, many men have been laid off and there’s no work. The sea is definitely where most of the jobs are – if not shipping, then fishing. We’ve also heard lots of stories about young people leaving Croatia after school and moving to other countries for jobs – tough times for young people it seems. Tourism is apparently overwhelming in the summer and is starting to threaten some of the historical sights that have UNESCO protection. Lots of mixed feelings about tourism here.
HI Michelle…….I am in awe of your leap of faith, very inspiring!! I will be following and cheering you on. You go girl. Hugs Karen
Thanks Karen – I appreciate the support! Hope all is well 🙂
Hi! It sounds like you are having the best time. You know that I’m living through you vicariously. I’m so excited for you still! Miss you! Big hugs XOXO
Awhhh, thanks Ang! xo
Hi Michelle, I’ve been thinking of you so much and I am very happy to read that you are doing GREAT! I’m literally perched on the edge of my seat in excitement reading your blog!! Damn you write good 😉 LOL You made me laugh a few times….loved the airport saga. Brought back some memories of my own. And the five things lists were neat to read. What, no tubs?! So cool that your are immersing yourself into the daily life there, meeting and talking to the locals. Their lifestyle seems similar to that in Greece, I’m wondering what their traditions for celebrating are? Where the Greeks drink ouzo, dance and smash plates, what kind of festivities will you be participating in?? Well, I’m going to go outside and take advantage of the sunshine here, I can confidently say I think Spring is right around the corner, finally!! What is the temperature there? Miss you, BIG HUG, Sue
Thanks Sue – so happy to hear my stories are making you laugh and bringing back memories! Good question about celebrations, I’ll do some investigating and let you know. So far we’ve participated in painting a mural at an orphanage, playing with puppies at a rescue shelter, going sailing with local fishermen, exploring ruins/caves/mountains/parks, and networking with local entrepreneurs! It’s amazing! The temperature is around 18 (C) but there can be a cold wind at night. Enjoy the sunshine back home and big hugs back at ya! xo
Hi Michelle. Loving your style of writing and your adventures to date and it has only just started. We can hardly wait for your next post. I say we, as I read your posts to my wife whilst we sit and enjoy a tea or coffee. Safe travels
Thanks Vic! Appreciate your support and glad you and your wife are enjoying! 🙂