winding down and gearing up

Well folks, we're getting to the end of our journey. It seemed when we first got here it was hard to remember what day it was; so much to do and see, so many new experiences. Each day blended into the next. This week, each day has been, "this is our last Sunday.. our last Monday.. our last Tuesday..."

We're making our lists of things we need to get before we leave, places we want to eat, things we want to see... in anticipation of our return to the States. Our last pizza at Mea Culpa, our last walk to the college, our last gelato, yes, even our last trek up the stairs will be sad events, but ones we will relish and enjoy and be grateful to have had the experience and opportunity.

We discovered yesterday that quite a few of the students also seemed to have suffered over the weekend with not feeling well. Not exactly sure what caused the rumblings in the tummies or the extreme tiredness, but we all seem to have weathered the storm, so to speak. Good thing, as this is no way to end a wonderful trip.

Of course, Monday we discovered there is also Murphy's Law in Croatia too (although we're not sure what it's called here... maybe St. Blais' Law). Our dictionaries decided to go on holiday and leave no forwarding address. Yes, we hear all of you groaning in empathy. Why shouldn't the end of our stay here conclude the same way we started. But, our knight in shining armor, John Mannara, came to our rescue. Through the amazing and unfathomable powers of remote technology, he was able to access our laptops, zap the dastardly software and install clean versions and get us back on track. Even miles and miles away, across oceans and mountains and seas, we are connected. Thank you, John :)

As we trudged up the stairs Monday night, Cathy and I giggled about our private jokes from our stay here, some of which we've shared with you in these blogs. We will beg your forgiveness if something triggers our memory when we're back at work and we break out into hysterical laughter. Don't be afraid to ask why, we'll explain as best we can (although you might be afraid of said hysterical laughter.. I have taken to snorting and wheezing in my glee... it's not pretty.)

Monday night Cathy and I sat on the balcony, watching "the Dubrovnik channel" as I like to call it. We saw some of the cathedral domes light up in Old Town; we assume in anticipation for the summer festival which begins Thursday. There will be fireworks that we'll watch from our apartment balcony... supposedly for all the tourists starting their vacations, but we secretly know it's Croatia's way of bidding us a fond farewell.

In Professor Kate's class yesterday she shared her pictures of Old Town, taken both before and after the war. Homes, monuments, churches were bombed and partially destroyed. Through her work and the crews she supervised, Old Town has and is being restored to its former glory. It was a bittersweet class; knowing that there are people who care enough for their "home" to repair it and care for it, but knowing too how these people suffered during the conflict. May we never have to know the pain and loss and heartache they experienced.

Last night, confident I knew enough Croatian to translate, I surmised there was a concert of the Dubrovnik Symphony Orchestra; I was sure it was at St. Blais church, why else would all those bleachers be set up? Cathy was kind enough to humor me as we strolled around town for a few hours, way past either of our bedtimes, waiting so we could hear the rich melodies of violin solos of Mozart. Alas, it was not to be. There may have been a concert, but it was not in the vicinity of where we sat.

We were treated, however, to a sight as we wandered Old Town getting some last souvenir shopping in. As we passed a barber shop in one of the back alleys, I pointed out the parakeets in cages about the shop door. Five little birdies, each labeled with the name of an opera singer. "Psst.. hey.." we heard from the doorway. Inside sat Adriano and Luisa, along the wall with two of the locals. In the barber's chair, circled by a very large man with scissors and a razor, was Tanya getting her hair cut. Ahh, to be young and impetuous! Her haircut was adorable and we were so delighted to have shared (and documented) part of her experience.

As we walked up the stairs late last night Cathy reminded me of my prediction that we would be sprinting up the stairs by the end of our trip. We're not. We still huff and puff. We still sweat. But we're not taking rest breaks as often or cursing our lack of muscle tone and lung capacity. As a reminder, I took a snapshot of a car on our street... one with a message that would serve us all... focus... relax. (the other pic shows you a "taste of home" :)

I imagine each of us will get another post or two in; at least a postscript if anything. We appreciate all your comments, messages and well wishes while we've been here... and hope we have shown you Dubrovnik and points beyond through our eyes.

Until we meet again... mir... annette & Cathy