Did You Know

That the Croatia Men's Water Polo team won the Gold medal in London this summer? Water polo is a huge sport in the Balkans, as evidenced by the water polo courts that we saw everywhere (squint a bit and you'll see it out there): 

This is a small beach in Dubrovnik where the children and I spent a few happy hours, more throwing rocks than actually swimming. The water was a bit chilly and the day a bit grey. Throwing rocks and playing The Rock Game are right up there with swimming in their book, though, so it was a good morning. 

Here's a closer shot of the court. There is a dude swimming out there, although we did see people playing at some point when I was sans camera. 

The Rock Game, if you are curious, involves each child combing the beach and choosing half a dozen of their favorite rocks, shells and beach glass. They then "compete" individual specimens against each other; I am the judge.

The game developed on the lake beach of San Martin de los Andes way back when we were traveling through Argentina, and has become a fan favorite, played on every rocky beach (and there have been quite a few) we encounter.

I know, we are a thrill a second, aren't we?

Because I am an utterly capricious human being, the judging is absolutely arbitrary, reflecting my mood of the moment. One day, beach glass always wins, another day, only tiny rocks win, and another day, anything that is striated gets the vote. The children have no actual criteria to go on when choosing the rock they hope will be the eventual "winner." The sheer randomness of it makes them a little crazy, so it seems this is a game we are destined to play forever.

Next: Mostar, Bosnia

Comments

[Debbie Hanson]

I had no idea....interesting tid bit about the polo team.