Wings, wicks and respite

Today is a long trek for our determined friends and so many opted to see Varazdin first and then skip to the midpoint of the trek and start walking.

We too spent a bit of time poking about in Varazdin. A visit to their cemetery was quite solemn and thought provoking. Who tends the ancient graves? Who keeps the eternal flames alight? Why are some slowly falling to disrepair? All graves are tightly side by side – crowded by plants, neighbors, family and history. A long sleep deeply settled in.

We moved from the quiet to the lively. The old town showing character in its doors and churches. The Franciscan church showing artistry of an age gone by but being restored with gilt and lacquer.

This afternoon we hopped a bus to Zagreb. The flat lands suddenly hilly and dotted with lovely small towns that don’t have the vacant look of small towns in Hungary. We’ve booked a bit of old fashioned luxury at the Palace Hotel where we will rest from the heat in air conditioned luxury. Zagreb for 3 days! Fun!!!