You are never far from a supermarket in Zagreb. The local variety is called Konzum and they are literally to be found on every corner. Once, in class, Bruno declared that you couldn’t go 150 metres without running into a Konzum, and he may have been right. We have a...
In Australia – I dunno, maybe this is a cliche – but in Australia men with physical jobs, say plumbers or builders or painters, will pack their Esky full of leftovers, sandwiches, soups and bring it in for their lunch. Mostly it’ll be last night’s dinner or whatever their partners...
If you get to the Dolac, or any of Zagreb’s markets, just as it’s closing, you’ll see a small army of old women in three-quarter length worsted skirts, digging through the leftover boxes, looking for food. This is Zagreb after hours. You can get quite a meal, if you know...
And here I am, back at the Dolac, as though time had never passed. The weather is warmer than when we left, the sun is shining, people look less miserable as they stand about hawking their wares. The air of desperation that wearies you in winter is gone. Today they...
Other than the cathedral and canal, Narbonne’s most celebrated attraction is the central market. A rectangular, covered, glass building, it houses stalls selling fresh fruit and vegetables, fish, all kinds of meats including pigeon, hare and the more normal kinds, and bread, as well as cooked foods like quiches and...
de simple tings of life, mi dear de simple tings of life ~ Jean ‘Binta’ Breeze Plums on the ground. The ground. Not of a supermarket, tumbled off the crate. Not on the kitchen floor, rolled out of the bag, across the counter, fallen from the bench. Just on the...
When you spill salt on the table, you’re supposed to pick up a pinch and throw it over your left shoulder. This will, it is hoped, ward off evil spirits, bad luck, witches, Brussels sprouts and all sorts of other nasty things. Petra had learned this from a young age....
A few months ago, as part of our Croatian course, we went on an excursion to Varaždin, a pretty city in northern Croatia. The tour also included a visit to the Podravka factory which is nearby in Koprivnica. Anyone with even the remotest connection to Croatia will have at least...
In very exciting news, we’re heading back to Australia for Christmas (hi mum and dad!). I’m looking forward to Asian food, and oysters, crumpets, strong tea, and the sun and the beach, and of course seeing all my friends and family. But there’s one thing I’m rather nervous about. Beer....
