Day 87

16 July 2013

What's in a name

Depending on your location you look at other countries and know them by their name, but what not everyone is aware of is there could be a big difference between the local name and the foreign name. Take Sweden or Zweden for example, locally they call in Sverige. I learned this at an early age because one of my hobbies was collection foreign coins. Switzerland or Zwitserland is called Schweich. Germany is called Duitsland by the Dutch, Deutschland by the Germans and Almanya by the Turks. All these names are close to the original names, but take Hungary for example- the locals know their own country as Magyar. I am now in Croatia or Kroatia but this country is really called Hvatska. Why am I telling you this?

I was sharing my room with a 23 year old agricultural student from Zagreb last night. He was here for a few days to relax and yesterday asked where I was from. Australia was not a problem for him but later the conversation turned to "where were you born " I said I was born in Holland . Where is that ? he asked. Holland or The Netherlands I said,is located next to Germany. He had never heard of it. Suddenly I remembered from a previous visit to Croatia what they know The Netherlands as: I said: “Nizozemska “! Ah yes he said I know where that is. I had the same problem in Vietnam trying to get a Chinese map , no one had heard of a land called China no matter how I pronounced it .Later I found out they call it Trung Quốc which sounds like Trung Kwok. Handy if you know this stuff beforehand.

After leaving Zadar and riding north, the narrow road followed the seafront. There are no beaches just concrete strips and gravel in places. It was hot so I was tempted, however I am too spoiled as far as beaches is concerned . Although the water is crystal clear it is too cold for me. Northern European tourist just arrive, get ready and jump in; well not me. I got my feet wet and that was all.

Today I faced another problem , again I saw a sign with: this is the oldest /smallest/largest etc… Do I need to look at all the other sites again to check if this is so I wonder? I won’t go into it as I will place a remark in the comments box with the pictures.

I went to a very old historic town of Nin which is close to Zadar, When I say old this time it means very old. There is a city wall which dates to the first century AD which means it is 2000 years old. The town is located on an island but not so much anymore as a lot of areas around the island have silted up but nevertheless you can only reach it via bridges. It is a nice town which has… wait for it.. the smallest cathedral in the world from the 9th century AD. Before you enter the town you need to cross a bridge where you find the first hero of the district.

Without fail, each and every town I have visited thus far have two things in common. They all have a war memorial commemorating an important war whether it was the second world war or some other war. Secondly they all have at least one local hero. Ranging from Genghis Kahn to an obscure knight who at one stage may have saved to city fighting a whole army single handedly. I don’t know but they all have them. The town of Nin has a second VIP which could be a bishop or an ancient Policeman. Judging by the stern look, the raised finger and by the fact that he is ready to throw the book at any offender, and that he is at the ready to kick anyone out of town who dares to break the rules.I reckon he is a Policeman, Looking at his foot he has kicked plenty of people out of town thus far . So as far as I can ascertain he is an ancient policeman. A nearby sign said that he was Bishop Grgur from the tenth century. I think that that is impossible, you can’t be a bishop with a surname like that.

Seriously though, this town hails from the 9th century BC ! and that IS very old. Zadar itself is also very old and was first noted 400 BC .
Anyway still haven’t seen a Dalmatian today.