My last days in Croatia are just passing. I had a wonderful time by the sea in Primošten, and I am also having a marvellous time in Zagreb. I feel like I've recharged my batteries by swimming and sunbathing and most of all hanging out with dear people I have missed. Yesterday, after some twenty years, I saw again my dear childhood friend Lidija with whom I had coffee, and the time that has passed since our last meeting seems to have disappeared.
Today, together with Sara and my brother Alan, I was invited to lunch by my cousin Nikola in his summer cottage, which is about a hundred kilometres away from Zagreb. Nikola is the son of one of my grandmother's brothers, the only cousin on my mother's side with whom I keep in touch. Spending time with Nikola means a lot to me because he is the only connection with the families of my late mother, but also a man with whom I truly get along. Our relationship is filled with mutual respect, admiration and love. I am very proud of him, he is a successful businessman who has achieved success thanks to his charm, unquestionable intelligence and energy with which he warms the people around him.
Today's lunch was extremely tasty, and the lamb was prepared in a way that some of my British friends might not be accustomed to. I would like to tell all my friends that grilled lamb is the only lamb I enjoy eating.
On this occasion, I would like to thank my Nikola for the wonderful hospitality that Sara has not had the opportunity to experience often, because this way of welcoming guests is not typical for England. I am happy that she had the opportunity to see our customs that were an integral part of my growing up. I hope and wish that I will be able to host my cousin Nikola and my friend Lidija in my house in England in the future.
Love,
Kristina
Friday, August 13th, 2021
Susreti u Zagrebu i srcu Moslavine
Moji posljednji dani u Hrvatskoj upravo prolaze. Bilo mi je predivno na moru u Primoštenu, a također se izvrsno provodim i u Zagrebu. Osjećam se kao da sam napunila baterije što plivajući i sunčajući se, a ponajviše družeći sa dragim ljudima koji su mi nedostajali. Jučer, nakon dvadesetak godina, ponovno sam vidjela svoju dragu prijateljicu iz djetinjstva Lidiju s kojom sam popila kavu, a vrijeme koje je prošlo od našeg zadnjeg susreta izgleda kao da je nestalo.
Danas me zajedno sa Sarom i bratom Alanom na ručak pozvao moj rođak Nikola u njegovoj ljetnoj kućici, koja je stotinjak kilometara udaljena od Zagreba. Nikola je sin jednog od bakine braće, jedini rođak s majčine strane s kojim se čujem. Provođenje vremena s Nikolom puno mi znači jer je on jedina veza s obitelji moje pokojne majke, ali i čovjek s kojim se istinski razumijem. Naš odnos ispunjen je međusobnim poštovanjem, divljenjem i ljubavlju. Jako sam ponosna na njega, on je uspješan poslovni čovjek koji je postigao uspjeh zahvaljujući svom šarmu, neupitnoj inteligenciji i energiji kojom zrači na ljude oko sebe.
Današnji ručak bio je izuzetno ukusan, a janjetina je pripremljena na način na koji neki od mojih britanskih prijatelja možda nisu navikli. Htjela bih reći svim svojim prijateljima da je janjetina na ražnju jedina janjetina koju volim jesti.
Ovom prilikom želim se zahvaliti svom Nikoli na predivnom gostoprimstvu koje moja Sara nije imala prilike često doživljavati, jer ovakav način dočeka gostiju nije tipičan za Englesku. Sretna sam što je imala priliku vidjeti naše običaje koji su bili sastavni dio mog odrastanja. Nadam se i želim da ću u budućnosti moći ugostiti rođaka Nikolu i prijateljicu Lidiju u svojoj kući u Engleskoj.
S ljubavlju,
Kristina
Petak, 13. kolovoza 2021.
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