Our apartment here in Old Towne, Dubrovnik, is old, cluttered, and noisy! Updated with modern conveniences, yes, but still, an old air charm that doesn't quite work for me. Two more days of leisurely sightseeing then we fly back to Barcelona where we board the ship for 16 days of cruising the Mediterranean followed by a transatlantic crossing. I loved Barcelona. I imagine going back, renting an apartment long term, studying Spanish, and visiting the Iyengar Yoga Center regularly. It is a city of 1.3 million, but well organized with beautiful old buildings, long tree lined avenues, extremely pedestrian friendly. Almost anywhere in the city you are within a few blocks of just about everything you would need--grocery stores, banks, cafes, shops. There is really no distinction between commercial and residential, it is all combined, as are most European cities. Parks everywhere, museums, galleries, with no shortage of interesting things to do and see. And, not so very expensive. It is so very vibrant, alive, and friendly. Very different here in Dubrovnik. In general, I get the impression that the employees and proprietors of stores and restaurants seem annoyed and unhappy, possibly because the place is so densely packed with tourists--from outside the old town, from ships, and from those of us staying within her walls. And to imagine, we are well past the height of the the tourist season! I just don't get a positive vibe at all. The hustle and bustle in the old town may be different from outlying areas, I don't know. Yesterday we finally found the Dominican Monastery that seemed so elusive. It was very quiet there, with no other tourists at all. A complete refuge. No wonder it was hard to find. It was nice to just sit and feel the silence. Today and tomorrow we have a long list of things to see--the Synagogue Museum, the home of Marin Drzic, the former convent of St.Clair, the Church of St. Saviour, a Franciscan Monastery, St. Blaise Church, the Rector's Palace, and more, or not. Maybe more than one gelato break, as they are everywhere.
Time to eat breakfast and get moving.
