All Aboard the Birthday Train

Hello, we're back from Zagreb, actually yesterday evening we arrived from our little trip. We were not gone very long but it seems like we were gone for days. It was wonderfully relaxing. The children had a ball!!!

We left our town, Čakovec, at 7:25 in the morning and arrived in Zagreb at 9:40. We were very lucky to get a compartment all to ourselves. It was very nice and clean.

Joshua and Hannah standing in front of our train. I know it's old and doesn't look like it should run but it was really smooth to be so old. Our seats were very comfy to be so old. With both windows open it was so wonderfully fresh.

Oh yea and the halls are that small. It was very difficult getting to the bathroom, especially when people were in the hall. The men were the worst; they refused to move over at all. Croats don't know the concept of personal space, I personally like mine.

Me and my kiddos. I sure love these guys. L to R: Joshua soon to 11, Hannah just turned 9, Me 33, and my big almost 14 year old. Wondering where my husband is??? Taking the pictures.

Croatia is a lovely country. The foothills of the Alps end in Croatia. It's so clean and fresh. The red roofs are typical of Croatia and Europe in general.

Joshua and Hannah really enjoyed the window. The wind was so fresh and cool. We always drive to the capitol and the train takes a different route so every thing was new.

Destination: Zagreb, Croatia. Population 1 million, give or take a few little Croats. :0) Oh yea the sing says: Zagreb, Main Station.

Doing what I like best, browsing! ;o) We were headed to the top and I hollered at them for a sec, that's why they aren't all smiling. At the top of the hill you see the big Catholic church. What a totally dead place. How sad.

This is Ban Jelečić, he was a regimental colonel for seven years along the Croatian military frontier and a Croatian Nation Hero. Oh yea that little figure to the left is Hannah.

After visiting the Subway for lunch, McDonalds for coffee and ice cream, the American book store and a few toy stores it was time to head home.

We were in the train station waiting for the departure when we hear someone holler out "Hey Americans!", we looked over to see a man from our church. Danijel was returning from Serbia after visiting some family. Danijel is very special to our family and really a part of the family now. Anyhoo, his cousin in Serbia bet him that he would not wear a military Serbia T-shirt in the Croatian capital. (Croatia and Serbia were in war from the 80's till 91, they HATE each other) So we took a pic of Danijel standing in his Serbian shirt when a policeman decided he didn't like what was going on. Luckily we weren’t involved but he ran Danijel through the system. The policeman said he was only concerned for Daniel’s life but more than likely he fought the Serbs in the war and could have even lost loved ones. The conflict between the two countries is still very real and more than likely always will be. Danijel was let off with a warning and quickly went and changed out of the offending garment. We had a nice time sharing our car with Danijel on the way home. What a coincidence to run into someone we know in such a huge place.

We really did have a wonderful time. We have all decided that we love trains now. We have flown many times but no matter how nice the plane is it's no camparison to a train trip. Too bad the train doesn't cross the Atlantic, we would be tempted. ;0)