English
I grew up in Communist Yugoslavia, which was, you know, very rigid system. Everything was in order from top down, and when I came in to United States, I began understanding the importance of democracy. To me those are two biggest differences between Croatia and United States. But, also, I think that climatic conditions are very different. Croatia is much warmer. It is located next to Italy, and it has that kind of climate which is warmer, and summers are drier and hotter than what we have here. While in Minnesota, I think what is in focus about our climate is very long and difficult winters, so that was all for me, requiring big adjustments is a very big different differences. Also the big differences in natures and landscapes aesthetics. Croatia has [the] Adriatic Sea, which is one of the most beautiful seas, it’s [a] very small sea, that is very buoyant, because it’s rather salty and it’s wonderful to swim. You don’t have to know how to swim; you can float easily. Well, here I feel that it is old man’s river and it is very different — gorgeous aesthetic also — of the river and the lakes that we have in Minnesota that is so much enjoyed, but I find them to be a very different visual and bodily experience when you actually are in it.