European Research Trip – Croatia!
One of our guides describes the shape of Croatia as that of a bird flying. Check out the purple image on the map, and you’ll see her description is accurate, with one “wing” of Croatia lying along the Adriatic Sea and the other slanting inland to follow the Danube River.
As I mentioned in my last post, the city we tour is Osijek, the fourth largest in Croatia and well known for its Baroque architecture.We were able to visit the “Rising of the Holy Cross Church” in Osijek. The golden altar and domed ceiling will you an idea of the magnificence of its interior.
When we return from our tour of Osijek, we are treated to a musical performance by a Croatian tamburica band that plays Croatian folk music. The tamburica, a stringed instrument, is made in various sizes. The smallest tamburica, called a bisernica, catches my attention. Our daughter bought us a similar instrument when she lived in Greece, where they are called baglamas.
Our baglama
Just before the performance, I boast to friends who sit next to us that I can play that instrument. Then the tamburica band performs. You might enjoy this 57 second video. The band is playing the in ship’s lounge:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=syrqASvBSwY
(My apologies on this video hyperlink. I can’t embed the video on my version of WordPress – too complex for my wee little brain! You’ll have to paste the URL on your browser.)
After hearing the tamburica band, I have to admit that evidently I do NOT play the bisernica. At least not like that! I need to practice!
Tomorrow, we cruise on to Serbia!
Happy traveling!
Sue
Hi Sue and Neil, the church looks magnificent, very elaborate decor!
Funny the way instruments look similar country to country, with only minor differences in looks and names.
Are you sampling traditional foods? if yes… have you noticed that in Eastern Europe there is a lot of pickled and fermented food? We have that in Holland as well, but not in Ireland.
I did sample some pickled vegetables, Jackie. They reminded me of similar pickles in Japan. Very much the same mild-salt taste and texture (firmness). In the US our pickles have either a sharp/sour taste or sweet/sour taste. What are the pickles like in Holland?
Hi Sue! … hope you are well.
In Holland it’s the same as the US…. sharp/sour or sweet/sour. Personally I’m not mad on the pickly stuff.
I do like fermented food, in a strange way fermented food feels healthy 🙂