As an expat in Croatia, everyone always asks what I like about living here and how it compares to Canada. Well here’s my most favourite thing that I think is missing in most (if not all) Canadian cities...
One of the first cafes as you walk down Tkalca
Tkalciceva - a charming little pedestrian only street, lined with cafe-bars and restaurants that I’m slightly obsessed with. I’m going to try and describe it to you all…but it’s mainly about the pace of life that is Europe as a whole.
It’s more than just a street, of course. It’s where Zagreb people meet for a drink or two or three in the evening. It’s where they sit during the day for a coffee (on extended lunch breaks). It’s where people go to people-watch. It’s where important conversations happen. It’s where relationships of all kinds develop as you spend hours conversing over vino or pivo. It’s where live music plays from balconies above. It’s where my favourite restaurant is. It’s where my favourite brewery is. It’s where I had my first date with my husband. It’s where people take their time. It’s where people just enjoy life.
It’s more than just a street, of course. It’s where Zagreb people meet for a drink or two or three in the evening. It’s where they sit during the day for a coffee (on extended lunch breaks). It’s where people go to people-watch. It’s where important conversations happen. It’s where relationships of all kinds develop as you spend hours conversing over vino or pivo. It’s where live music plays from balconies above. It’s where my favourite restaurant is. It’s where my favourite brewery is. It’s where I had my first date with my husband. It’s where people take their time. It’s where people just enjoy life.
A random afternoon, packed as usual!
What’s there to do? Drink. Drink coffee, drink cappuccino, drink beer, drink wine, drink rakija, drink juice, drink water - it doesn’t matter - so long as the drinks are flowin’ the conversation does, too.This street is packed all year long, rain or shine (or snow).
Most of the cafes and bars have managed to enclose their terraces with temporary glass walls to accommodate the winter weather. There are heaters, there are blankets, there is the body heat of your neighbour! The people of Zagreb love to be outside and that’s exactly what makes this street so welcoming and attractive. There’s just something in the air that invites you in, leads you for a drink, suggests a leisurely stroll.
Most of the cafes and bars have managed to enclose their terraces with temporary glass walls to accommodate the winter weather. There are heaters, there are blankets, there is the body heat of your neighbour! The people of Zagreb love to be outside and that’s exactly what makes this street so welcoming and attractive. There’s just something in the air that invites you in, leads you for a drink, suggests a leisurely stroll.
Little quirky details all over the place.
I’m a bit nostalgic when I think about Tkalca. We have history. I’ve spent so much time there - first as a single gal with a Croatian-English dictionary in hand, trying to pick up some basics while visiting Zagreb (which turned into more than just a visit...), next while dating my now-hubby, then I waddled up and down as a pregnant woman. Now I’m experiencing it as a mama with our cutie little baby in her stroller, sitting for drinks with other new moms exchanging parenting tips. I think what gives Tkalca so much of its feel and charm is so many years of absorbing peoples’ lives while chatting over drinks.
If you ever travel to Croatia and find yourself in Zagreb, do as the people do - make sure you dedicate at least a few hours to sitting down for a drink. Add to the street’s charm with a conversation of your own. Tkalca will surely swallow it up.
Thanks for reading!
Sarah
If you ever travel to Croatia and find yourself in Zagreb, do as the people do - make sure you dedicate at least a few hours to sitting down for a drink. Add to the street’s charm with a conversation of your own. Tkalca will surely swallow it up.
Thanks for reading!
Sarah
