It was amusing and a bit satisfying watching the drivers load luggage into the bottom of the bus, cigarettes lit and dangling out of their mouths. Such a simple, ordinary sight yet peculiar purely for the fact I’ve never seen something like that back in the States.

Smoking isn’t as common back home as it is in Europe. I’m actually amazed at the amount of youth I’ve seen puffing a cigarette.

In Croatia you’ll see people smoking indoors. Ashtrays are provided inside cafe bars/coffee shops and restaurants. While wandering around, looking for a place to work on my laptop, quickly realized I wasn’t going to find a smoke-free zone. There’s also really no such thing as just a coffee shop.

Cafe/coffee bars are everywhere and provide the typical coffee drinks as well as alcohol. But they’re a place to go socialize, not one to bring your laptop to.

Did find one I held hope for. Caffe Bar Retro. Already zipped out on caffeine, I ordered a sparkling water (on accident blackberry flavored) and blackberry juice. Sat there and worked on my laptop in clouds of smoke and later ordered an espresso to keep working there without guilt.

Turns out that wasn’t enough. They kicked me out after 3 hours. Apparently continuously ordering drinks doesn’t do the trick. Stupid really when they had all this room in there. Still a good place to go if you need a quick hour or two away from the hustle and bustle of Old Town Split with a cheap espresso. Just don’t expect to hang out.

Currently on my second leg of a new journey. On a 13 hour bus ride to Sofia, Bulgaria. A destination decided upon just yesterday. The 5 hour ride from Split to Zagreb was far more comfortable and I find myself missing it quite fondly.

This second bus is a green cloud of B.O. and stinky feet. I’ve found myself in a row behind a guy that doesn’t know how to turn off his phone volume and in front of some French peeps who while coughing ferociously, dared to complain about my seat being leaned back and asked me to put it up. I watched just now in disbelief as they proceeded to then lean both theirs back.

Contradictory indeed.

To be read in British accent: “The Audacity!”

About to lean back my seat again in an attempt to sleep and see if chaos enfolds.