a really nice P L A C E

In a huge way, moving to a new part of the world has made the world a whole lot bigger for me. This world of ours is huge. It's also made me realize how narrow my thinking is and limited my understanding and knowledge are. Maybe I needed this move and living abroad to expand my mind and open up my thinking. Maybe.

We found out not long ago that Jim had this uncoming trip to Croatia on the calendar. It's kind of a huge deal and a privilege for him to be able to add to his list of accomplishments. Again, not one to normally worry- I've had a lot of unrest and that sick feeling in my stomache. I wasn't so sure it was a good trip.

Until this week, I didn't know anything about Croatia except there is a {UFC} fighter from the country. His name is Mirko or Mirkle {as Caden calls him} aka Cro Cop.

Not a lot of information on this little country- definitely not enough to form an opinion. But, I did.

As a first opinion, I assumed {dumb} that it wasn't safe, possibly hostile and way too close to lots of people who hate Americans. I felt as if he was walking in to a war zone based on what? Nothing but my lack of knowledge. It wasn't until talking to a friend last week that I leared people actually go there for vacations. It's supposedly a really great place.

Jim landed safely and is enjoying a luxury hotel with strawberries and chocolates waiting by his bed. The bottles of water in his room were glass rather than plastic.

He said the 1 1/2 hour flight there was amazing as they flew over the snow-capped Alps. Very, very impressed-  he said it was incredible. It's nice to know he's in the same time zone and more than that safe.

Again, I don't know what I'd do without Skype since we can see and talk several times a day.

After his trip briefing, Jim let me know it is in fact a very, very safe country. He's in Zagreb- the country's capital. Even more safe than a lot of US cities as far as hostility towards Americans goes. {I guess that might not be hard to beat}. With very few immigrants and the bulk of the population Christian, they are in fact very fond of Americans.

* Zagreb is the capital of Croatia on the Adriatic Sea- across from Italy

* Croatia declared independence from socialist Yugoslavia in 1991

* Croatia is a democratic parliamentary republic

* Croatia is inhabited mostly by Croats- almost 90%

* 88% of the popultion is Roman Catholic

* Croatia has eight universities

* A worldwide study published by Newsweek in August 2010 ranked Croatian education system on the 22nd place, to share the position with Austria.

* 49% of Croats speak English

Just a little reading and research and I already feel better. Wow- another life lesson.