The Brothers Valeri (From the Roman Period) Istrian Peninsula

I have no idea who the Brothers Valeri were but they were perched on the all of building next to a church in Buje, Croatia where I went today. They are depicted in their senatorial robes from the Roman Empire days around here.

It's things like this that keep you guessing when wandering around a town. In America we'll get a monument to a war 50 or 150 years ago.

In Croatia, you get artwork from the period of say, 300 AD just strewn around the towns

I planned to rent a car and go to some of the inland small fortress towns. Unfortunately, this being a Sunday and this being a very rainy Sunday....I had the same idea as everyone south of the Swiss Alps. Plus, there was a cross country bike race and when the bikes descend from a mountain road and onto the "main" highway.....everything stops. Everything.

                   

I've enjoyed the smaller towns. Yesterday I was in Poreč, just north of Rovinj where I am staying for a few days. After the bus trip I walked to the local Flea Market. It's not every Flea Market that carries statues of the Blessed Virgin AND lapel pins of Vladimir Lenin.

The political climate currently in the US does not appear to support the wearing of Lenin lapel pins by its ministers and so I passed.

But just across the market there was a lively business in the selling of portraits of Elvis (he is still big around here) and of Bob Marley (he too is big all over the world still) and there was a portrait of Al Capone....in Flea Market in Poreč! I passed on that too.

The region around Buje is full of olive groves. Mile after mile. Everyone selling Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVO). I haven't seen so much EVO since I was in Rachel Ray's kitchen. Once again I passed. There were some good deals but packing it in the luggage on Air Atalia does not seem like a good idea.

          

In the rain, Buje was dark and water was coursing down the streets and through my shoes. But I happened upon the St. Leonardo restaurant. Several folks came out of the church across the street. I noted that the pizza ovens were wood fired and looked pretty authentic and it was quite good. They even had wifi (which is called wee-fee in these parts, no matter, it was a good strong signal) So I did what all the other Americans in the St Leonardo's Restaurant were doing....I sat and read the NY Times online.

       

I was a fine day, wet shoes and Euro Bike Racers included. Perhaps the best of travel are those unexpected things when one is not prepared to be dazzled or amused. I was neither today but I enjoyed it.

             

This being the Adriatic Coast and all, and this being a Christian Church, I have seen countless decorations that call upon the shell motif...a very fitting symbol for both the Christian Churcha and seaside towns.

              

And for all the sunny days, this one left me with color tones that I have not seen very often. Here I am looking directly West....and if one could.....one could see Italy.

              

The town of Umag was my final stop on the Croatian Coast and it is the northern most significant town in the country. 

       

So I have managed from the very southern Coastal town of Dubrovnik to the north of Umag and most every place in between....save for a few dozen smaller town and hundreds that I have missed on the island. Other than that....seen it all.

           

Many have remarked about the sunshine. And yes, about three quarters of the time we have had sun but days like this make cities like Rovinj look even more dramatic.

          

These are from the Eastern part of town, and not the more familiar ones from the west.

          

You would be hard pressed to find a more picturesque town in the country or the world. And I plan to keep looking.

Peace,  Bob