Rijeka
* see part 1
Rijeka, the last Istrian Peninsula trilogy stop, is yet another Croatian port-town with Roman ruins, Venetian influences, daily Farmer’s Market and old city charm. But, for some reason, to us, Rijeka just felt right.
There were dilapidated buildings, neglected buildings and graffiti.
Beaches were both industrial and beautiful
plus plenty of cranes, the national bird of Croatia.
Buildings were beautiful
Churches inspiring
There were massive daily Farmer’s Market;
plus immaculate-limestone paved pedestrian shopping area (Korzo) with nice street art;
We were probably influenced by the exuberant opening of the Advent Market. The highlight was the Rijeka tunnel decorated for Christmas. Originally built in 1939 by the Italian military as a bomb shelter. Solid rock, 400 meters in length running from St Vitus Church to the primary school in the old town. After being closed for 75 years it was opened last year as a tourist attraction. We went on Friday to check it out, they said come back on Saturday. On Saturday, they said come back Sunday night. It was worth the wait. Rainbow and snowflake fairy lights, laughing children, pop up bars. In a country that has been constantly recreated through repeated strife and turmoil, on the eve of Advent, it seemed fitting to have a bomb shelter reborn full of joy. It was great.
We exited the tunnel onto the Korzo to find (what felt like) the whole city enjoying the Christmas Market and dancing to La Bamba and the Macarena.
A happy ending, close the book on a tale of three cities.
This week’s photo of topless old man looking out window contemplating his life \”woulda, coulda, shoulda” the topless old man Trilogy.
Chosen Fugue 
Such joyfulness! The world is so full of a number of things…….
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