A Day of Grape Picking

Sunday the 29th I was up early and headed out to my host moms fathers farm. He lives in a small farming village, composed of mostly elderly people, it is about an hour drive away from Varaždin. The village is very remote and is a 10 minute drive (on a dirt path) away from the nearest town. Since a lot of older people live here their families come on the weekends to help out on the farms...that's what we came to do.

My host mom and dad , my host moms friend from work and brother and I went to help harvest the grapes from the vineyard so that wine can be made. The farm was very beautiful and I took quite a lot of pictures. My host mothers father lives in a quaint farmhouse. His wife passed away many years ago but he has since remarried. His second wife has a cottage just a few feet down the lane.

When we arrived we had sausages and bread before getting to work. From 9:30 to 12:30 we picked the green grapes. We then picked the black grapes, there were less of them so it didn't take so long.

My host moms boss from work came in his van with a few bags of grapes from our house. My host dad and my host moms boss took the van into the nearby town to get water. 12 jugs of water were filled at the watering station. When we returned we all sat down for dinner. My host step-grandmother's son and family stopped by and everyone sat around talking until we headed home at 5:30.

I had lots of fun picking the grapes. It was tiring after awhile because your arms were constantly above your head. Overall it was a good experience and I am glad I got to do it.

The grapes in the bags are from my house in Varaždin.Green Grapes on the vine.

Full Buckets.Me picking. The technique that works best is to use the clippers to cut the bunch of grapes then catch them in a small bowl below. When the bowl is full you simply dump it into the big bucket.Host mom and her father

Me carrying the grapes to the cellar.The newer vines.Host mom and dadThe garden behind the house.Everyone working hard.The vines

Little barn next doorThese deer have been penned in a large forested and grassland area. The man that "owns" them is a hunter. He just goes out and shoots one when he needs to.Barn and house. Picture taken from host step-grandmothers yard.

These are his pets...I think he eats his pets.
All the crushed green grapes.
The wine making center.Me grinding the grapes. You turn the handle and use the stick to push them down. The grapes are ground up with the stems and all, no separation.Host dad grinding grapesThe Road

Filling the water jugs.

A Baroque Evening

From the 17th to the 29th of September is the Baroque Evenings Festival in Varaždin. It is an International festival of Baroque music, with concerts every evening. In addition to the concerts there is the Display of the Flowers. In the courtyard of the Stari Grad castle is a grand display of flowers for the entirety of the Baroque Festival. Last night, (the 26th) my host mom, her friend Heidi from Austria and I visited the Castle to see the displays. They were beautiful and I really enjoyed walking around looking at them. After leaving the castle we went to the Cathedral. We had tickets to see one of the concerts. I couldn't see very well but i could definitely hear, and what i heard was magnificent. The Cathedral was a spectacular sight, combine amazing music with that and you have a magical event. We were entertained with the works of Bach, Händel, Bortnjanski, Holand and Pergolesi preformed with precision by the Bjeloruski Državni Komorni Orkestar. A large Choir joined the Orchestra for Pergolesis' pieces. Their voices were magnificent, I have never heard such grandeur. Overall it was an amazing atmosphere which i thoroughly enjoyed. Who knew i would like Baroque music so much.

Here are some pictures of some of the flower displays. Unfortunately I wasn't able to get any pictures of the concert.

Cannon in Entrance way. Lady in costume at door selling tickets.

Cannon Display

The well all decorated.Looking down at the well.Butterfly created with inlaid flowers.Close up of the Butterfly.Series of ButterfliesAutumn Baskets display.

Host Mom and Heidi

Inbound Weekend Day 2

On Sunday (September 21st) we (the exchange students) rose early and took a 40 minute drive to Trakošćan Castle. The castle is located in the highlands and not far from Varaždin. The castle was built at the end of the 13th century but during the 19th century its owners renovated it into the Romantic style, saving it from complete ruin. Surrounding the castle is a gorgeous man-made lake and a large forested park. The castle was absolutely stunning. Unfortunately we were prohibited from taking photographs inside. Within the great walls lay preserved original material that is related to the architecture and lives of the owners. Each room was displayed beautifully and showed of paintings, furniture, weapons and many other artifacts. As we walked through the castle it was like taking a step back in time.



View of castle. Stables and other residences in foreground.


The castle.

Group Picture.

Looking up the hill at the castle. A long pathway that curves up the hill leads to the main gate.

The front gate.

Outdoor courtyard.

Door leading to inner courtyard and entrance to Castle.

Group Shot on the walkway above the inner courtyard.

Group in outer courtyard.

View.

We latter visited a second Caslte, Veliki Tabor Castle. Although it is currently undergoing a major restoration and much of the castle was covered in scaffolding, it was still beautiful. The parts that have been restored are magnificently done and really capture the castles essence. The museum within the castle is just starting out but already contains tonnes of information and a few small displays. When inside this castle it felt more rustic then the other. Built in the 12th century and having endured many attacks its a wonder that it is still standing. The local people thought that it would just fall down and never be reconstructed but now it is being given a second chance and will be returned to its original splendor and glory.

View of Castle and Construction.

Inner Courtyard. It has been reconstructed.

Locked up...

The wine cellar.

Little window seat.

Completely re-constructed building on the right. Partially reconstructed part of castle on the left.

Weapons displayed on the upper deck.

A room being reconstructed.

Outer wall. The castle was a defensive fort so it had very thick walls for protection.

View from the base of the castle.

The under construction part of the castle.

Before heading back to Zagreb we stopped at the "Staro Selo" Kumrovec Museum. It is a preserved village displaying life and customs of Hrvatsko Zagorje in the 19th and 20th centuries. It also happens to be the largest open air Museum in Croatia as well as the birthplace of Josip Broz Tito. It was a really nice place and I had a good time walking around the village while eating ice cream.

Little House.

Statue of Tito. House with corn hung up to dry in back.

Beautiful little garden

Kitchen in Tito's house.

Bust of Tito

Exterior of Tito's House

House - "everyday life" set up inside

Wool display in one of the houses.

Blacksmith

House, Wine cellar in Basement.

Storage area off the side of the house.