Surprising Zagreb (Croatia)

There is something surprising about Zagreb, capital of Croatia. Never having been in Croatia before, I didn't expect to find so much overwhelming wealth. No sign of poverty, nearly no signs of the Yougoslav war, even if the city got attacked several times between 1991 and 1995. Great museums, surrounded by a long park, churches, a big cathedral, fashionable boutiques, galleries, stately buildings in great shape, constructed during the time of the Austro-Hungarian empire.

Walking around in the city on a hot Monday evening, I felt like being there on a Saturday night. Whole streets of the upper town, close to the central Jelačić square (see photo), seem to be transformed into party zones, young people in countless bars, drinking, laughing, dancing. Meet-and-greet territory on its best. Mediterraen flair. Second surprise: These are not the tourists, these are local people ... and going out, being in the streets, that's is in their blood, their culture.

Another surprise: Zagreb seems to have the highest density of female beauties of whole Europe. Is there some contest going on? Maybe a lack of men in the country and therefore all the young women are competing for the last 'males'? Nobody knows. Just one thing is sure: Watching this show never gets you exhausted.