Greetings,

I’m writing this from Gruz Harbour in Dubrovnik, Croatia. I love it here but more on that later, much more. While I was in Zagreb, I had the pleasure of watching a World Cup football game between Croatia and Cameroon on the big screen in the center of the city. To say this was an experience would be an understatement; I’ve watched World Cup games in Europe before but the teams always lost and let me tell you, it’s not quite the same thing…

The game started late at about midnight and I wasn’t even sure if I’d make it as I was already under the weather and fatigued from the trip to Europe. Sure enough a rally was in order and after some socializing myself and friends decided to try our luck and join the festivities. The moment we arrived in the main square all symptoms of fatigue faded away and the electric energy charged my batteries to full. There was a beer tent ever so cleverly placed with a great view of the big screen, indeed.

Wasn’t in the mood for beer so went to a lounge on the side of the square with a good view and enjoyed a chilled bottle while watching the festivities unfold. Sure enough it was goal after goal and the crowd went wild; including ourselves. The first goal was the best as all this purple smoke went off and if you watch the video above, you’ll get a glimpse of what it was like. That was something in itself but then Croatia went on to score three more times and the excitement in Zagreb simply escalated.

I will note that just watching a World Cup game in some country that is playing isn’t the same as a blowout. Just last night I was in Dubrovnik ready to do it all again but well, they didn’t win and the whole city was near silent except this one small group of Mexican super fans. Unless you’re a hopeless introvert who is against having fun, it’s hard not to catch the craziness which spreads through the psyches of all present like a contagious cold.

If you ever get the chance to watch a World Cup Game in the capital of the country playing; just do it. It doesn’t matter what you need to do to make it happen, make it happen. This whole trip has been quite eventful but this evening is one of those occasions which will be mentioned for quite some time and probably never fade from memory. That said, would have been a lot cooler if hte game started at oh, I don’t know, say 8pm instead of midnight but can’t have it all, yes?

Lots more coming in the next few days, time to get this ball rolling again…

Tips hat,