Dubrovnik

I made it to Dubrovnik after an incredibly long night on a ferry, spent trying to sleep on an awkward chair while people sang and danced around me. My host was waiting outside the gate and held up a paper with my name on it. After settling in, we went to meet someone from the church and then relaxed on the beach. I found the university and spent the rest of the night relaxing.

Over the next two days, I explored the old town, climbed up a mountain to enjoy the view, met with two other believers my age, joined a prayer meeting, and tried some Croatian cuisine. The old town is quite unique and small compared to other cities. It’s a must-see, but can be experienced in a shorter time-frame. Of course, I was fascinated to see so much tourism with Star Wars and Game of Thrones!

Duration

3 days

Accommodation

Missionary’s flat (3 nights)

Favorite Food

Tuna sandwich

Favorite Site

Old city castle walls

Cool Person I Met

Andita. Andita is middle-aged woman originally from Bosnia and Herzegovina, who runs a tour company in Dubrovnik. Over coffee, I learned about how she’s differentiated herself from the larger companies in town, about her heart to use employment as a means to transform people, and about her love for instilling Christian values in young people.

Highlight

Watching the sunset and full moon from a hilltop that oversaw the city

Big Takeaway

In 1468, an earthquake destroyed the city, killing 70% of the population. The people couldn’t prepare for this disaster and even with modern technology, we’d only have a short notice. I can’t imagine the desolate feeling and anguish among the remaining survivors. Natural disasters are a sad reality in our world today. I’ve observed many cities throughout Europe (and probably the world) that have been affected by fires, flood, and plagues. These disasters change the face of the city, and further building seems to be the most positive way in moving forward.

The past is in the past, and now it’s time to build the future. The future cannot be built while mourning in the past. It’s certainly not easy because we are emotional creatures. Nevertheless, people are capable of so much when put into disastrous situations. It hurts, but there is always a future and oftentimes, people build something stronger than before. Anything can happen tomorrow. We need to always have the mindset to learn and press onward.

Your Turn

How have you coped with disaster?

Do you think tourist destinations like Dubrovnik should put such strong emphasis on attractions like Game of Thrones tours?