Day 2: Twenty-two hours from Waltham to Split
Aug. 14 and 15 were all about travel – 22 hours in total,
door to door from when we departed Waltham to when we checked into
our first hotel. Despite being a long day, it was a very smooth
travel day.
Our flight to Paris was aboard one of the largest planes
I’ve ever been on, a Boeing 747, and we had a comfortable
flight with two surprisingly good meals. I was unable to
sleep, probably from all the excitement, and I think there were
others in our group experiencing the same thing.
In Paris, we were shuttled to and from each plane. In
contrast the Boeing 747, our plane to Zagreb was more like what we
take to Rochester. At 5-5, I was
cramped. Most of the guys spent the flight with their knees in
their chest. Thankfully, John Saucier ‘08, at 7 feet even,
got an exit row.
When we landed in Zagreb, it was sunny, warm and beautiful.
We were greeted by our guide, Viekoslav -
who, for simplicity’s sake, we are calling V - and bus driver
who will be taking us to our first stop, Split, on the coast
– approximately 4-6 hours by bus. It was a very quiet
us ride, as most of us slept. The country was not what I was
expecting. Many commented that it looked like we were in New
Hampshire. Rolling hills, green, lots of rock. We were
very grateful for the new highway we traveled, built in 2005.
Before then, the trip would have taken 12 hours previously.
We arrived at the hotel safe and sound in Split. It is
a very nice hotel, only a year old. With a fine dinner in our
bellies after a long trip, I crashed after a long day. I
believe the young men on our tour ventured into downtown Split.
I’m sure I’ll hear some stories on the bus ride
today. Maybe.
Today we are touring Trogir and Split.
Until tomorrow….
Sheryl