Zagreb

This morning we left the scenic slowed-pace beaches of Zadar and traveled to the capital city of Zagreb. The two cites have a very distinct look and feel. Zagreb is a busy urban city of approx. one million people with crowed streets and heavy traffic. One can clearly sense the energy of the city as celebrations are already underway to mark the occasion of Croatia joining the European Union, which officially occurs Monday. We've been cautious not to make much of the entree into the EU as it's been obvious it is a political issue here, with some people welcoming the new partnership and a larger role on the world stage, and others expressing some trepidation.

Soon after we arrived in the city we were welcomed to the national emergency management center (DUZS)'for a briefing about their system. This included a tour of the dispatch (112) center. A gentlemen from the US Embassy joined us for the meeting, and it turns out that he is from Woodbury MN, stationed here in Zagreb.

Afterward, two of our three Croatian hosts left to return to Zadar - a sad parting, as they have been so gracious to all of us. Tomorrow morning we'll leave Croatia to return home.

We look forward to our partners visiting Minnesota in September.