Beach Bums (06/05/08)

So today we finally had a day off and it was much needed! We have been traveling NONSTOP! On our day of we took a chance to lounge on the beautiful beaches of Makarska. While we were out sun bathing I thought of how amazing it would be to live here year round and be perpetually tan...and then I thought about what that would do to my skin. Lifestyles are a big factor to your over all health and sun exposure can have some serious side effects...malignant melanoma anyone?! Yea we´re talking serious stuff here, and the beach is definitely a part of the Dalmatian lifestyle. Rates of skin cancer in Croatia are hard to find, but the CDC has estimated that rates back home have been on the rise since 1970, and I don´t think it would be a stretch to assume that Croatian rates have been increasing too. The best way to protect yourself from this form of cancer is to avoid over exposure to harmful UVB and UVA rays. This can be hard when you are also trying to get a tan on the beach which you will see A LOT of locals doing throughout the day. So your next best bet to protecting yourself is sunscreen and lots of it! We are hoping that the schools, who are doing a lot of health education, are also including information about skin cancer protection. This way local children will grow up knowing the harmful affects the sun can have on ones skin. It´s also important that area stores keep a plentiful stock of sun block in an obvious location within the store. Hopefully the locals are getting smart about sun protection, as for us we`ve been slathering on the Coppertone and keeping our youthful skin beautiful! ;) -Maggie

June 4, 2008

Today we were lucky enough to get to visit the communal dump on the island of Hvar! There are no incinerators available to burn the trash, so they take it all to the top of a mountain to dump it. As the amount of tourism in the area grows, so does the amount of trash produced. So the best way to deal with the waste is to prevent making it!
Guest Writer: Lejla Marijam
˝One of the largest and most luxurious hotels on the island informed us that they try to recycle as much as they can. Their waste, however, seems to be in the hands of the Croatian government. At the hotel, many tourists were sun-bathing and it looked like they were good candidates for skin cancerč however, the beach they use seems to be the best in Hvar.˝

- Leeann

Hvar - One of the TOP TEN most beautiful islands! (6.3.08)

For everyone who doesn´t know - keeping up with a daily blog while studying abroad in Croatia can be very stressful. We were hoping to set up massages at one of the day spas while in Makarska, but our budgets are pretty tight by this point in the trip. The next alternative would be a hot bath, but unfortunately bathtubs are not a common amenity with Croatian hotel rooms and apartments. So, in lieu of massages and hot baths, we take an overnight excursion to a place that is known to be one of the top ten most beautiful islands in the world with never-ending fields of lavender -- on the the island of Hvar!!

Once on the island, we stop at the town of Jelsa which is mostly remnants of 300-400 year old stone houses, except for a relatively new little cafe that has been opened by a few locals. We can tell a lot of work has gone into the place because in the early 1900s much of the island was abandoned after the vine disease phyloxera killed most of the vineyards. The island´s big wine industry really suffered and many inhabitants moved to New York. The view and drinks are wonderful, but we couldn´t help but notice the other buildings around that are still in ruins. Like many other areas of the island, Jelsa has good intentions to build up small towns like this again. Local restaurants, craft shops and residential spots are trying to renovate old buildings. More and more people from the mainland are moving offshore as an appreciation for island life and the tourism industry continue to grow. With this change, the locals can anticipate increased problems with waste management and trying to reestablish a sense of community identity, post-war and post-privatization. Another issue to keep in mind is the big-scale tourist industry trying to mesh with the small-scale lifestyle of the island. As tourist traffic picks up, it will be impossible to fit opposing lanes of traffic onto narrow roads. There have already been too many moments to count where I have looked out the bus window and straight down the edge of the island cliff. If you are considering a trip to Hvar in the future, keep the following in MasterCard moments in mind:

• A large scoop of your favorite sladoled (ice cream) flavor enjoy as you watch the sun set into the harbor: 6 kuna
• Croatia's best insect repellent so you can run carefree through the lavender fields: 45 kuna
• The smug sense of satisfaction that comes from witnessing that grossly chic primadonna totally bust it in her Dolce stilettos as you stand solid in your double-strap Chacos: Priceless.

-- Lauren

June 1

Today we hiked from the ocean up to the mountain area of Biokovo. We saw a lot of small stone houses that have been abandoned for years. The local people that were living in the mountains moved down to the seaside after an earthquake hit the area. Tourism also started to pick up during this time, which gave the locals many job opportunities. We tried to think of healthy ways that tourism could bring people back to Biokovo. We decided that it would be a good idea to create better hiking trails to attract tourists and locals. The views of the ocean are stunning from the mountains, so it´s a good way to get people to exercise!
- Leeann

Pharmecija - (06/02/08)

So our trip through Croatia has passed the 2 week mark. We´ve all been learning a lot, including how to get by day to day in Croatia. This includes what to do when you´re sick. From stomach viruses to colds we´ve experienced it all. So what do you do when you´re feeling under the weather in Hravatska? Take a trip to the pharmacy of course!

Croatian pharmacies are a lot more inviting than the hospitals, so if you have to grab a quick remedy for your ailments its not so bad. Pharmacists here go through 5 to 6 years of extensive schooling (similar to the U.S.) and are vary knowledgeable about a variety of remedies. Set up and location of pharmacies here in Croatia is very different from the U.S. however. Unlike Eckards and CVS back home, which offer a plethora of products besides those with a medical background, Croatian pharmacies just deal with the basics. So don´t go looking for a photo-center or a pack of gum at the pharmacies here. Pharmacies in Croatia are also stand-alone establishments so you won´t find them attached to any grocery stores. But don´t worry they´re all over the place and easy to find with their blazing green cross hanging out front (check out the pic!).

Since so many students have visited these fine establishments we asked some of them to comment on their experiences.
- ˝The pharmacists over here were really approachable, and were able to give me advise on how to treat my problems, I don´t feel like you get that in America, you usually just hand them a slip and thats that˝ - Kellie

- ˝I really appreciated how they take a holistic approach to medicine here. When I asked for cold medicine they gave me herbal remedies before even mentioning normal ´western medicines´ you might get back home˝ - Heather

- ˝I feel more comfortable going to pharmacies over here because the staff seems more informed and I´m not just staring at a wall of medicines.˝ - Christine

- ˝I like going to pharmacies here because they help you with advise on how to treat what ever is wrong and they use more natural approaches˝ - Lejla (Croatian native)

So there you have it, if you´re ever in the area don´t be afraid to stop in when you see that green cross! - Maggie

May 31st

Today we took a day trip along the coast to Dubrovnik. It was a 3-hour trip and we left Makarska at 7:00 am. Unfortunately we came across an accident on our drive - a car had run off of the road and down the side of the steep cliff. The area had a lot of vegetation, so we weren´t able to see how serious the fall was, but it was another example of some of the traffic safety issues in Croatia. The spot where the car ran off the road was without a guard rail. A few of the leaders in Zagreb that we met with mentioned that injury is in the top three leading causes of health care expenses and most of these are in automobile accidents (agricultural equipment injuries follow in second).
While in Dubrovnik, I noticed more opportunities for injury. This city is a popular port for cruise ships and during the summer months tourists fill the city. The streets are made with extremely smooth stones and it is easy for anyone unfamiliar with the area to lose their footing, especially on inclines. The wall of Dubrovnik is a very big tourist attraction and another place where people must be careful, because the old wall has low sides where it could be easy for someone to tall over if they are even the slightest bit careless. A little excursion that we took was to the small island of Lokrum. Swimming is very popular here, but to get to the water you have to make your way over and across large rocks, which are not always flat and never smooth. It is easy to cut your foot and losing your balance while getting from rock to rock would be a pretty bad fall. Sea urchins on the sea floor are also a problem.
The best way to address these jagged rock and sea urchin obstacles & still look cute in a bikini:
Invest in a pair of fashionably sensible yet functional water shoes.

~Maggie

Makarska Hospital (05/30/08)

Great day for public health, we got to visit the hospital here in Makarska and talk to the school doctor (our equivalent of a pediatrician). Dr. Ivanca is the head school doctor for Dalmation and oversees 20 different schools in the region for a total of about 4,000 children. We had a chance to discuss with her the care that each child receives which starts when the prepare to enter 1st grade. Each child is given a physical exam upon their first visit to make sure everything is healthy, and certain immunizations are given at this time as well. The child comes back again in the fall after they have started school to ensure that they are developing appropriately at school. These check-ups continue to occur throughout the child`s schooling and different health education, screenings, and vaccinations are given at specific intervals.

We were very excited to learn about the hospitals dedication to prevention and the detailed information kept on each childs medical and behavioral history. We specifically talked about sexual health education and substance abuse among the kids (specifically cigarettes and alcohol). Starting in 5th or 6th grade students begin learning about sexual health and this continues through out later grades similar to how it is done in the U.S. Dr. Ivanca commented on teen pregnancy, stating that it was not that big of a problem here on the Dalmation coast. She estimated only around 3 pregnancies occurring each year and typically among high school seniors. In this culture it is common for the teens to get married when an unplanned pregnancy occurs and it is actually accepted fairly well by society. Dr. Ivanca joked that there are so few babies being born now (-2% birth rate) they will take whatever they can get!

Unfortunately problems with cigarette smoking and alcohol consumption are much more prevalent. Dr. Ivanca mainly talked about the extensive data that they collect on each child`s health behaviors including substance use. This data was collected through anonymous questionnaires and one on one interviews. Data collected shows that while a large percentage of students drink alcohol binge drinking is not a problem like it is in the U.S. We felt this was due to cultural influences such as the cafe lifestyle of slow leisurely drinking, as opposed to drinking for the sole purpose of getting drunk.

Dr. Ivanca also briefly talked about obesity problems which are on the rise among the student population here in Dalmatia. Area schools attempted to implement a healthy food program within the schools, but the intervention unfortunately backfired. Students in Croatia are released from school around lunch time and instead of eating the healthy snacks offered in the schools, students used their money to go and buy food from the many fast food restaurants which are springing up all around the school campuses. To further combat the issue area school boards are going to try pushing the idea of healthy eating at a younger age, targeting kindergartener`s which will hopefully make proper nutrition a habit instead of a chore.

Our visit to the Makarska hospital helped us understand what issues are important to people in this area and how they approach solving health related problems, - Maggie

May 29

We left Sarajevo today. On the way out of town, we stopped to visit a site that was very important to the city during the war. The Serbs surrounded Sarajevo on almost all sides and shelled the city from the hilltops for about three and a half years (1992-1995). Over 11000 people were killed. No one was able to leave the city, and it was very difficult to get get food and supplies in.



So the citizens were able to able to build an underground tunnel near the UN controlled airport on the northeast side of the city. They dug without any machines for four months and four days starting at each end and meeting in the middle. The tunnel was completed mid-1993 and it served as their only lifeline to the outside world.

~Lee Ann



The citizens of Sarajevo were living in a constant state of stress which can lead to health issues such as anxiety, depression, domestic violence, child abuse, and substance abuse. The destruction that war creates has a lasting impact for years to come.

May 28th

Today we spent all of our time in the city center of Sarajevo. In the morning we went to the monastery and listened to a lecture on the reconciliation issues that exist between Islam and Christian groups. This was followed with another lecture given by the political science faculty at the university in Sarajevo. This lecture addressed the wide diversity of cultural and religious groups and an existing discrimination of certain groups. Sarajevo consists of approximately 80% Muslim. The remaining percentage falls into Catholic or Orthodox groups.
In the past these different religions were used as tools in the war, which has roused strong passions and divisions among people that continue to affect the population´s psychological and social health. Psychological and social health are areas that are evaluated a little differently than other aspects of health. Bosnia´s slower pace of economic development compared to Croatia reflects poorer ˝health˝ in these areas. There is not a strong sense of unity and so it is difficult for Bosnia to move forward psychologically and socially. And the regional devastation from past wars is a constant reminder and ˝handicap˝.

~Lauren

Road Trip (05/27/08)

Road trip! Snacks? Check (bueno bar anyone?), Drinks? Check (FANTA please!), Music? Check...well sorta if Croatian ballads and R.E.M. constitute a good road trip mix. Oh yea and don`t forget your passport because we are headed to BOSNIA! 6 hours, 2 pit stops, and some serious power naps and we have arrived in Sarajevo, Bosnia. On our drive we passed through large stretches of Bosnian countryside and once in Sarajevo we explored some of the city.

We came up with some parts of daily living in Bosnia that might factor into the local`s health status.

Rural Bosnia:
1 Hiking up all the hills to go see your neighbor or check on the sheep (who needs a stairmaster anyways?)
2 Picking your own grapes (killer arm work out) and drinking your own homemade wines (its good for the heart!)
3 Eating all of the fresh veggies from your garden
4 Con: the nearest doctor may be 1oo´s of miles away, and forget about ambulances up there!
5 Con: Not a whole lot of traffic safety on the long and twisted roads, poorly marked divider lines, few guard rails, and blind turns are just asking for a car accident

Urban Bosnia:
1 Just like in the Croatian cities you walk EVERYWHERE, so go ahead have that gelato!
2 Cafe culture ie alive and well (de-stress and recharge)
3 Being part of one of the dominant religions, Islam, which emphasises cleanliness, sexual responsibilty and a proper diet.
4 Con: This area was heavily affected by the war, which means mental health, the economy, and people living with disabilities are serious problems.
5 Con: the environment, the city of Sarajevo is definitely polluted and poses hazards to pedestrians in terms of sidewalks and mobility.

Although we`ve only spent a little under a day here you can already tell that Bosnians are a tougher lot, most likely due to the hardships felt from the war. As we learn more about the city and its people tomorrow, we will no doubt better understand the effects of the war on this country.

~Maggie

Vukovar (5/26/08)

Today we visited a city on the border of Croatia and Bosnia called Vukovar. It suffered a large amount of destruction during the war. We were able to visit the hospital and speak with the director. She also ran the hospital at the time of the fighting. In May of 1991, there were about 45000 people living in Vukovar. Just three months later onlz 15000 remained. Many evacuated the city as refugees. The Serbs struck the hospital with shells every day during this time period. About 60 people arrived at the hospital each daz and were treated in the basement. There was no water and no food for days and even weeks at a time. Generators were used for electricity. The staff coped with psychological stress by working hard and keeping a constant hope that the shelling would stop. Doctors without borders offered their services, but the opposing troops would not allow them to bring any medical supplies into the city. In November the city fell, and about 1800 people were taken to Serbian concentration camps. Another 1800 citizens were killed about 200 of which were patients and hospital workers. There were many others who went missing during this time period.

Today the city is slowly being reconstructed with what financial resources are available. Croatians have returned and now about 30000 total people live in the city. People who were attacked are now living alongside their attackers. The locals that we spoke with report that there are no remaining tensions or conflicts these days. However, there are undoubtly psychological stressors hidden within the people of this town who have to deal with the constant reminders of the war each day.

~Lee Ann

Sunday, May 25

We left Zagreb today to go to the city of Osijek. On our way, we stopped at the Jasenovac Memorial and Museum. During World War II, a system of five concentration camps was set up in the Jasenovac area, of which the labor camp at Jasenovac became the largest. The estimates of people killed at this site range from 20,000 to 800,000, but the closeset estimate is believed to be around 300,000. The camp held prisoners who were skilled in various crafts and able to make bricks, bricks that were used to build the walls around the camp.

Having the concentration camp in Jasenovac significantly impacted the individuals of course, but also the community during and after the war, in terms of increased mortality, morbidity and injury. The presence of the camp influenced the community psychologically, which can still be sensed today. The memorial on the grounds is the Stone Flower. The theme presented by the memorial designer focused on life rather than death, happier times rather than bad. This seems to be an idealist's way of thinking, but to approach the past in such a manner is an attempt to offer support, encouragement and life to a community that witnessed a devastating attempt to destroy people and their culture.

The memorial was a great example of how historic preservation and public health can sometimes be at odds with each other. On the grounds a rusty railway train is still on the tracks, one that was used to transport prisoners to the camp. There is nothing more than a ditch separating the tour group from the train, which could be dangerous if someone were to have bad judgement and try to climb into it. Also the memorial uses slats of wood to create a walkway leading to the Stone Flower. These slats continued to be donated by the railway company, as they are always rotting. I am not sure how often the slats are replaced, but there were many points along the walkway where the wood was completely rotten. The opportunity for someone to trip or step on a nail is pretty great; and there is no access for handicap visitors. But the symbolism of using the railroad wood to lead up to the center of where the camp used to be is powerful, so my only recommendation would be for the directors of the memorial to maintain smoother walkways and install railings in front of the train, as their number of visitors will hopefully pick up in the future.

-Lauren

May 24

Saturday was spa day, sooo relaxing, well not quite. No massages or mani/pedi's but we did get some "delicious" sulfur water. We took a tour of the Varazdinsk Toplice Spa, which focuses on hydro therapies.

The spa was built on the sight of an old Roman bath where a warm mineral spring bubbles up 58 degree water (I can't do the conversion right now but it was pretty HOT!). A few more amenities have been added since the Romans were there, so when you're planning your next visit here's what to expect:
- 4 different accommodation options (from hotels to bungalows)
- Athletic fields (from football to mini golf)
- Salons (pedicures & hair stylists)
- Indoor and outdoor pools (which have some AWESOME water slides)
- Diagnostic & therapy center
- Fitness club

Even though the spa has expanded from the original Roman baths, the central idea of healing and relaxation has remand. The Croatia medical staff still believes in a holistic approach and that treating the person as a whole, not just the injury, is the best approach. This seems to stand in contrast to how many of the same ailments treated at the spa would be treated in the U.S. Treatment at this spa includes health programs for:
- Spinal problems
- Rheumatism
- Weight loss
- Senior citizens
- Recuperation & relaxation

The best part about the spa is that treatment is covered under the country's health care system. Why can't doctors back home prescribe a visit to the spa when I'm feeling under the weather?!
- Maggie

May 23

Today we visited one of the local hospitals in Zagreb. There are six general hospitals in the city, but the one we visited specialized in orthopedic trauma. We were able to experience how things are handled in the ER of the hospital. The small hospital is owned by the government and is still run under a social medicine model so the patients do not have to directly pay for their care. Approximately 400 patients are seen each day in this department, and many of them are seen on an outpatient basis. We were able to witness several patients have casts put on their arms or legs for various types of injuries. To save money, plaster casts are still used these days. Plastic casts are available, but the patient must pay an extra charge out of pocket for the better materials. They even have to buy them ahead of time at the local pharmacy.

Another way they are able to save money is by using the cleaning ladies as aids for the medical professionals. In addition to cleaning they often will transport patients, gather the hospital charts, and help the patients undress before procedures. We were able to talk to one English speaking patients who was able to tell us her opinion on the pros and cons of the system. She thought that the medical staff were very good, but because of financial constraints, the services and facilities were not at the standard that she would like to see.

One major thing that I noticed was that the nurses did not wear gloves when giving shots and handling blood. When talking to the locals, we discovered that they are not very concerned about contracting diseases such as HIV/AIDS. They do not think that it is a big problem in Croatia, and so their perceived risk is small. This is very different from the perceptions of medical staff in the states!

~Lee Ann

Zumberak Region (5/22/08)

Today the Bloggers explored the small town of Samobor and another village in the Zumberak region, a cozy village in the Croatian countryside (both west and slightly south of Zagreb). On the way there we drove on both large highways and small country roads. The highway traffic moved very quickly and efficiently. On a huge tour bus it's not likely to get nervous in traffic (compact European cars tend to respect our presence on the road), but while still driving around the city center I noticed that Croatians seem to drive crazy-fast down the city streets where our speed limit would be 30 mph. At many spots there are no traffic lights and pedestrians have to first make five steps of faith out in front of oncoming traffic to ever make their way to the other side. The cars usually make a full stop before hitting anyone, but the stress induced by those risky first five steps would need to be offset by an additional five minutes of cafe downtime later.

Once on the main highway, though, everything sails smoothly. Between small towns, country roads are extremely narrow; but as long as reasonable speed limits are kept, I don't see significant traffic safety issues. Our first stop, Samobor, was a very attractive, small town with hiking trails and walkways outside of the main square. This spot is very popular for people living in Zagreb to enjoy for weekend get-aways. The town is known for its custard dessert (high-calorie, but delicious), which is served at most every cafe. This may be why we noticed that the locals didn't seem to be in as good of physical shape as people in Zagreb. Also, Zagreb is a larger city and waking distances may be considerably longer. While Samobor offers prettier areas for recreational walking, Zagreb presents walking as a required function for daily life – that favorite shoe store may be on the other side of town.

After Samobor we made our way to a very, very small village in the Zumberak region. How small exactly? ~~~~~

Ms. Maggie Benson (Blogger): “So, what is the population here?”

Mr. Ivo Turk (Guide): “Um, the census says 15, but I believe it to be closer to 11.”

Mags: “Eleven... thousand?”

Ivo: “No – just eleven.”

Even with such a small population, the village still has a cute little cafe that is owned and run by a small family. Surprisingly, when we stopped in, the cafe was extremely busy with our group of 35 plus 8 or 9 dirt-bike racers and 2 locals. Our guide Ivo said that the small community is closely knit, which is good in case any health emergencies should come up. It's difficult for Croatians in the rural areas to have access to health care. The closes hospital is over an hour away in Samobor and most often it's faster for a neighbor to drive the injured into town. So special focus should be given to preventive care to keep physician and hospital visits to a minimum. This can best be achieved by healthy diet, regular safety precautions and an active lifestyle. Fortunately fresh vegetables are grown in the yards of homes in the rural areas. Injuries tend to be a problem due to use of heavy equipment and a high frequency of falls. Exciting activities are not as available as in the small towns and city parks, but this shouldn't be an excuse.

Bloggers Top 5 Exercise Opportunities Unique to a Small Community:

1. Take the community dog for a walk up and down the beautiful rolling hills.

2. Coordinate a group walk to escort the three local children to the nearest primary school, fifteen miles away.

3. Volunteer for the new government tourism project by helping dig and build an underground museum to view a Celtic burial site.

4. Join the campers in their archery sport, Robin Hood style.

5. Wear your favorite shoes to walk down the goat-herding path to the old cow pond – you will get a workout for your calf muscles as you tip-toe around goat droppings.

~Lauren

Academia (5/21/08)

Wednesday was dedicated to academia here in Zagreb. Despite the weather and some navigation issues, we visited the Stampar Institute and the Medical School of Zagreb. At both locations we had a chance to discuss with our hosts how Croatia integrates public health into its schools and how the country deals with relevant health issues.

Although an actual bachelor's degree in public health is still in the works, universities in Croatia take a comprehensive approach to educating their health workers. Public health classes are a part of all health curriculums, which means, unlike in the U.S., doctors, nurses, social workers, and other professionals are learning various components of public health. I felt this teaching method would make health workers here in Croatia more competent professionals, better able to understand how to approach and efficiently diagnose and treat patients. Students in Croatia are also expected to spend time out in the communities where they can learn more about how their patients live day to day. Again, I feel this is helping to improve healthcare professionals' ability to care for patients.

Besides learning about teaching methods, we were also able to talk with our hosts about what they felt were the most pressing health issues facing Croatia right now. In no particular order, they listed cardiovascular disease, smoking, accidents (especially traffic related), and drug addiction. The professors we met with were eager to talk about the anti-smoking campaign the country initiated a few years back. The campaign slogan, “Say YES to no smoking” wouldn't seem like a successful phrase to promote a national smoking cessation campaign but the professors seemed adamant that it had been a success. Other components to the campaign included a 24 hour hotline, smoking cessation classes, and information for smokers on the campaign website. We wondered how the effectiveness of the campaign was measured but unfortunately some things were lost in translation. Our hosts also talked passionately about the problem of traffic accidents within the country. High fatality rates due to drunk driving caused legislators to pass a zero-tolerance policy. Unfortunately the importance of wine and drinking within the Croatian culture combined with enforcement difficulties has caused this policy to have little effect on lowering fatality rates. We of course had lots of suggestions for policy alternatives since we are used to so many driving regulations back home. Speed limits, curfews, and increased funding for police coverage were all offered as potential solutions. Our hosts found these to be good ideas but weren't sure they would be feasible policies in their country. We're beginning to understand that culture and economics are strong influences on Croatians' policy decisions. - Maggie

Plitvička National Park (5/20/08)

Today we traveled close to the Bosnian border to see the oldest and most visited Croatian National Park, Plitvička Jezera. The park has sixteen lakes and countless waterfalls with water in almost every shade of blue and green. The colors come from deposits of calcium carbonate, algae, and moss. We hiked around the water for hours in the pouring down rain, and we even got to take an electric boat across one of the bigger lakes. The views were stunning! One of the biggest problems that we found at the park was the trails. They were either gravel or wood, and would not be accessible to anyone with disabilities. Some parts of the trail were even hard for us to walk on, especially in the rain. The newer parks in Croatia are made to be more easily accessible, but the older ones definitely need some work.

The park is a National Park that is run by a government owned company, and it brings a lot of money into the country. Unlike a Nature Park, National Parks do not allow hunting, fishing, swimming, or logging. Therefore, the park is very well preserved. However, Plitvička Jezera still has problems with managing tourists. Most of the tourists that visit the park are from other countries, but mostly they are European. The number of people visiting the park is increasing each year, and the infrastructure cannot handle all of the visitors. So the park officials are trying to develop a plan that involves sustainable tourism. In other words, they want to find the best way to use the parks resources so that visitors can enjoy the natural beauty, while preserving it for future generations! ~Lee Ann

Our Arrival and First Day (5/18-5/19/08)

After a few weeks of anticipating this trip, we finally made it into Zagreb, the capital of Croatia... and I think it´s going to be great! My first overall impressions of the city were from a bus, riding from the airport to our hotel. On a Sunday afternoon, around 6 pm, there are many people out and about on their bikes or walking around the city (more than I´m used to seeing around Atlanta). I´m totally ecstatic to even see some rollerbladers (it´s not as cool as it was 10 years ago). I can´t help but notice the amount of sidewalk space, though -- at least twice the width of ours and lots of great grassy areas and park benches in between. People of all ages are out, from babies in strollers to elderly adults with canes and walkers. Something to note, though: no one is in exercise gear and everyone is moving at a leisurely pace. We had heard before the trip that running isn´t common; in fact, intense exercise isn´t a norm. Because physical activity is such a big part of daily living, people in Zagreb don´t take time to work out as we know it. And this lifestyle works well. Over the 1 and 1/2 day period I only notice maybe 6 or 7 people that would be considered obese -- and this is includes some serious people-watching at an outdoor cafe while we enjoy some coffee and wine over a 5 hour time frame. You´re probably thinking that we are taking the relaxation to an extreme here, but honestly we only stayed about an hour longer than some locals. Taking a long coffee or beverage break throughout the day is typical and this social habit is undoubtedly a great stress relief. The only negatives I want to mention over the past 36 hours include indoor public smoking and the dangers of the citz Tram. There are bans agains indoor smoking, but apparently they are not enforced and right when we got to the baggage claim, 7 or 8 people from the flight were already smoking. The number grew, I´m sure, but I wanted to make sure my luggage made the flights (which it did). The other hazard to beware the first day is the city Tram. You could initially mistake it for a trolly, but after it flies past you at about 45 mph, you realize it´s more like a subway train above ground. A pretty dangerous thing for distracted pedestrians and ignorant tourists. We found out that there is at least one Tram-hit every year and the injury is traumatic - and unfortunately often deadly. So we are learning to keep one eye on the Trams and the other on the shoe shops. -Lauren

Meet the Bloggers

Hey guys, this is Lauren and I´m originally from Albany, Georgia, now in Athens. Finished with my first year of the public health masters program at the University of Georgia, I have a focus in health policy and economic evaluations for public health interventions. My background includes marketing, art and interior decorating. This is my first attempt at blogging and what better topic than Croatia? Hope you enjoy!

Hey, Maggie here, I´m from right outside Washington D.C. (Northern VA) I came down to Georgia to get my masters in Public Health with a focus in Health Promotion and Beahvior. I´m interested in community health and look forward to examining how health issues differ from the U.S. here in Croatia. We´ĺl be updating our blog every chance we get during our travels so check back often!

Hey there, I´m Lee Ann. I grew up in Athens, GA and am also getting my Masters in Public Health at UGA. My concentration is Health Management and I have a background in nursing. I have been a pediatric nurse for the last three years taking care of kids with cancer and blood disorders. I love to travel and have also been interested in Global Health for a long time, which is why I came on the Croatia Study Abroad 2008!