Hi from Rick: Risking the Slammed Door
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| Things too quiet? Here in Motovun, a little snooping changed all that. |
Dear Traveler,
After dinner — when tourists head for bed or wherever their tour bus takes them — that's when so many of Europe's small towns become laid back and particularly inviting. In Croatia a couple of nights ago, I was walking across a quiet square in the peaceful Istrian Peninsula hill town of Motovun — marveling at how still the world felt. Then I heard some life: a men's a cappella group practicing.
I snooped around to find out where they were. Around the corner, I went up a short flight of stairs and stared at a closed door separating me from their singing. I gently pushed the door open just a crack to see the group. It was a dozen men sitting in a half-circle with their backs to me, led by a woman director with springy hair who looked and moved like a mad, young, female Beethoven standing before them.
She saw me, abandoned her group, and literally ran to the door I'd opened. I expected her to slam it shut. Instead, she swung it open and invited me in with enthusiasm consistent with her directing style. I pulled out a chair and savored the chorus — a traditional klapa group typical of the Dalmatian Coast.
Later, bringing in my film crew, we captured the magic moment, kicking off our next Croatia TV episode with a wonderful bit of what we call "positive serendipity." The lesson (which I intend to work into the script): when you're out wandering, poke around and risk having a door slammed on you — in order to risk being invited in.
In this month's edition of Travel News, we're inviting you in for a money-saving article on hostelling in Europe, a plan for getting the most out of Norway's best 24 hours, a collection of some of my favorite 'magic moments' from 30 years of travel, and a reader's Travel Tale that brings us full circle: back to Croatia, Bosnia, and the importance of connecting with people.
You can also check out this week's TIME Magazine article on me and our work at Europe Through the Back Door. I hope you enjoy the read.
Happy travels,
Rick Steves