A Barbecue in the Country
May 27, 2006 – 3:09 pmAs much as I’ve enjoyed my time in Zagreb before the jaunt to Pelješac, a little time in the country was just what the doctor ordered. So I went with my dear friend Kornelija to her hometown of Zdenčina. The expedition from Zagreb’s main rail station was a pleasant thirty minutes spent on the wonderfully prompt Croatian rail system. I should not conceal my thankfulness to the locomotive’s engineer, who permitted me to perch myself on his lap while acquiring this hypnotic image of the rails from the foremost car.
We arrived in the verdantly meadowed village of Zdenčina without physical or psychical injury. It’s scenes such as this that cause my heavy black heart to stir, leap and pirouette in its cage:
The neighbors’ backyard is completely occupied by the vegetable garden.
It’s still too early to eat the cherries, but they certainly look nice on the tree.
I greeted the dog. His name is Chief, and he is two years old. He told me so (in Croatian, of course).
Even the birds in Zdenčina are friendly. This one flew right into Kornelija’s outstretched hand and had a little nap there:
After pleasantries were exchanged with the local animals, I arranged the groceries into a photogenic heap and set to work on the mise en place for a barbecue in the country, Croatian style.
Only one other ingredient was needed:
After a lot of prep work and a few beers, taking photos was suddenly the last thing on anyone’s mind. Let’s just say that a good time was had by all. And, trust me, I’ll have more on Balkan-style barbecue later.
