I can remember the first birthday party I shared with school friends. It was 1966, I know I was given a book on dogs (still have it), a Matchbox toy model of a 25 pounder cannon that shot match sticks, and a Biggles book – amongst other gifts. I have no idea what the food was like but I am supposing that it would have been bad, given that Myrl would have been in charge of the catering. Linda’s birthday yesterday involved a lack of presents of any sort, a card made by me out of assorted bits available (all shops were closed in Milan because of the Immaculate Pregnancy), and a 6 hour trip across 3 countries by car to get to Zagreb.

We did at least manage a great evening meal. We dined at a tiny place that made every dish from local Croatian produce – a tasting of olives and olive oils, prosciutto from Dalmatia, cheese from an island with an unpronouncable name and a beautiful salad – all with a glass or two of Croatian wine. The passion of a local for a local food or ingredient always excites me!

The rest of the evening was spent wandering streets filled with a host of Zagrebians out to enjoy the excellent Christmas markets and all the free entertainment provided at different venues across the city. Croatia in general, and Zagreb in particular, do this celebration better than most places we’ve visited – perhaps because of the price they paid to become Croatia rather than Yugoslavia? Who knows.

There are plenty of stalls selling home grown/made specialties, lots of families on the street and entertainment that varies wildly in its appeal. (A Croatian heavy death metal band at 6pm in the main square? I suppose if your 8 and 11 year-olds were into Santa, Rudolph and death metal, then Zagreb’s the place to bring them….)

Despite the vibrancy of Zagreb I do suspect, however, that my 10th birthday will remain more memorable than Linda’s most recent one. If only I’d bought her a Biggles book and a Matchbox toy cannon before I left Australia…

F C-S

Even MP have to pay for their food. Fair enough.