Trip to Croatia

Hello again!

It’s been more than a year now since our Partnership started. Well, after the good summer rest it’s time for new meetings and activities. But first we need to share what we have done so far and plan our future joint adventures.

So here I am again on a trip to Croatia, where the third P&R meeting is going to be. This time we are travelling by coach, which is lucky for me as I usually get airsick on the plane.

My company now is quite large: Mrs Svetla Valova- the headteacher, Mrs Hristina Kalaydzhieva- the coordinator, Mrs Maria Barkovska- a primary English teacher, Mrs Tsvetanka Hristova- primary teacher and Mrs Rumyana Nikolova- primary teacher. The journey was rather long- it took us 12 hours to get to the Croatian capital Zagreb late at night and after a couple of hours of waiting and refreshment, we are able to catch the first bus from Zagreb to Sisak.

Croatians are very friendly and I can understand their language quite well, which makes me feel like home in this beautiful country. Hotel Panonija accommodates us and soon I meet the other mascots with their teachers in the lobby. Here is Kristina from Katarina Zrinska school is here to welcome us and  take us to Mečenčani. Our partner school in Croatia is about 35 kilometers away from Sisak, near the border with Bosnia and Herzegovina.

By way of tradition, the hosts have prepared a wonderful welcome with a delicious dinner.

To my surprise the food here is almost the same as ours- tasty sarmi in cabbage leaves, mashed potatoes and pastry desserts, some of which are similar to Bulgarian banitsa. Then Kristina tests our knowledge about Croatia with a nice presentation. The warm evening goes on with Croatian dances, presented by the staff. Clearly, our hosts enjoy having fun, just like us, Bulgarians.

Day two starts with a marvelous welcome ceremony. Our hosts make us feel like real VIPs as they have invited representatives of the local state administration and reporters from the local TV.

But there is nothing like the beautiful singing, playing traditional instruments and drama that the pupils from Katarina Zinska School have prepared for us. Congratulations to all participants and teachers.

After this splendid performance we are divided into groups and taken around the school which is small but very cozy and inviting the children to learn and broaden their horizons. We have the chance to visit classes of Croatian language, Maths, History, Geography, English and Quilling.

 In the afternoon our teachers set down to work. They need to present what they have done during the second semester of the Partnership.

Our hosts have prepared another surprise in the break. Croatian people, just like us, pay honour to their land, to its gifts and blessings. We were able to see a short presentation on their traditional Bread Day. I can still feel the wonderful  taste of the home-made bread, cookies and buns.

Work is going on in the morning on the next day. Now teachers are planning on what to do next semester.

In the afternoon we are taken to Hrvatska Kostajnica, where we become part of the spectacular Chestnut festival. I am amazed at how Croatian people keep their traditions and revive Medieval past.

The next day is a day of departure. We must say goodbye to our friends and set off on the long journey back home. After a few hours walking around the centre of Zagreb, which turns out to be one of the most beautiful cities I have ever seen, we get on the coach to Bulgaria.

Now I am really excited as I am looking forward to welcoming all my friends in Etropole next February.