Another week in the books! This week was filled with laughter, learning, and a ton of cute animals.
What I did:
- Joined the group on Monday when they visited the only no-kill dog shelter in Split. Our group and past remote groups have worked with this shelter as part of our Positive Impakt initiatives. Basically, it’s our goal to leave each city we visit better than it was when we arrived. The specific cause may change each month, but somehow we aim to use the skills of the members in our group to have a positive impact.
Aren’t these guys so stinkin’ cute?
- Finally was able to spend a quiet night in to watch a movie. The tech wizards Matt and Mariya were able to *somehow* get Moana to play on our tv (still have no idea how they made it happen) and we ordered pizza and sang along the whole time (ok maybe the singing was just me).
- The puppies visited us again in the workspace on Wednesday and I was able to snap some great shots which I have included for your viewing pleasure below
- Wednesday was also the night that Steven finally arrived! The last member of our 50 person crew, he was stuck in the states for a few weddings before he could finally join us. In true Kaizen fashion we went out to the bar to welcome him.. which of course turned into a Kai-razy night. Don’t ask me why Wednesdays are our biggest night, I really honestly don’t have an answer for you.
Look at this handsome krew!
Love this lady. 😚 Jess
Melissa and Shannon!
- Went to my first Junction! Junctions are events we do each month where we try to bring together locals and remotes to talk about a variety of topics, share skills, and learn. Since this is our first month, the theme was ‘Finding Balance’. The amazing Melissa Brown did a session on goal setting and finding balance in your own life- mentally, physically and spiritually.
- Our yoga instructor Shannon also did a presentation on maintaining your mental health and well-being. I particularly enjoyed this presentation because mental health and balance is so important to me.
- One of the most interesting perspectives she shared was the idea that in other cultures and religions the mind is considered a 6th sense in addition to smell, taste, touch, sight and hearing. Further, when any of the traditional five senses encounter something bad- if we smell a bad odor, touch something rough, or eat something spoiled, we immediately motion to remove the stressor from our system. We move away from the bad smell, brush off the rough fabric, spit out the spoiled food. If the mind is considered a sense too, we have a duty to keep it clean and free of bad thoughts and ideas.
- DDR and I were up next and we showcased our first acro flow for the whole group. It was a little bit scary and intimidating performing for everyone- I’m not someone who has ever felt comfortable on a stage (crazy, I know) and the routine was a little sloppier than I hoped for but everyone loved it.
- On Friday night we went out for a nice dinner at Zinfandel, a restaurant in Old Town and then found quite possibly the best bar in Split- Fensi Semensi. Why is it the best bar you ask? Many reasons. But primarily because there’s NO SMOKING INDOORS. OMG you guys FINALLY a night where I came back and my clothes didn’t reek of cigarette smoke. There’s also a pool table and darts and cornhole boards. 10/10 would recommend.
NO SMOKING!!!!
Obvi Bubbles.
- This weekend was our track weekend- basically a weekend of immersive activities that allow us to get an experience we wouldn’t have when just visiting. On Saturday my track fellows and I visited an olive farm and Eco Center created by our lovely yoga teacher Shannon and her husband Ante.
- Coming from a sustainability and environmental science background I especially appreciated what they’re creating- a place where everything is recycled, composted or upcycled, food is grown with love and care, and community is the backbone that holds everything together and allows it to grow.
Olive branch.
An old submarine on the property.
- We got to tour the property, taste wild asparagus (1/10 would not recommend), till the earth, plant a vegetable garden and share a delicious meal with her family. The amount of love, laughter and genuine compassion, kindness and truth in the room during dinner and our discussion afterwards is something I will treasure forever. It’s hard to find a group of people who are so talented and caring with such depth, but this program seems to be chock full of them.
And y’all thought I couldn’t do manual labor.
Teamwork makes the dream work!
- Also- at one point we asked Ante if Shannon cooks and he said no and then we asked if she cleans and he said no again and then we asked what she does and he said “She sparkles.” *Cue every girl melting into a puddle of mush*
- Sunday continued our track events. We started with a tour of a cave outside of Split- it has been in our tour guide’s family for generations. Our current guide has been giving tours for 50 years now. He was also awesome at pointing out different stalagmites and stalactites that look like things- we saw about 5 Virgin Mary’s and almost every animal under the sun.
Gate to the cave.
Moss on the steps down.
Found lilacs! My absolute favorite smell in the world.
- We followed this up by touring a museum about the Sinjska alka, a 300 year old Croatian tradition in the town of Sinj. It’s basically a Croatian Knights Tournament where riders who have trained since childhood compete in an equestrian competition to put a lance through a ring (called the alka) suspended 3.34 meters in the air above the main street of Sinj. They have to do this in a full gallop and wearing traditional Croatian clothes. It looks like an incredible time and definitely something I would have loved to go to if we were here in August.
Cool fountain outside of the museum
- After this we got to get our own horseback riding game on at a ranch nearby. I’m not lying when I tell you these were BEAUTIFUL horses. Strong, powerful and incredibly well trained. The guides asked who has ridden before and my hand shot up and then they asked if I’ve done dressage and it was in that moment I knew I was in for a treat. (The answer is no but I’d love to.)
- After a traditional Croatian dinner (and a long session with the ranch cat) they saddled up a few horses and we got to take them on the trail. My horse was a beautiful black stallion named Flesh. (At least I think it was Flesh.. Flash would have made more sense but hey, I didn’t name him). He was incredible- strong, powerful and wonderfully responsive. I was literally giddy at the opportunity to ride. I always forget how much I enjoy riding because I don’t have the opportunity to do it that often, but man. I just wanted to GO.
That coat though..
Oh haiii!
Seriously such a beautiful creature.
- Our guides complimented me several times on my posture and talent which made me beam from ear to ear because I know they meant it- and they were some bad ass riders themselves.
- I closed out the weekend in the workspace with a long game of psychiatrist with my fellow remotes before heading home to pack for my early morning work trip in the morning.