Tuesday, June 7th ~ Makarska, Croatia

Andie

Today was a free day for the group so people took the time to do various activities, ranging from going out on a boat all day, to hanging out on the beach, to curling up with a good book. It was a day to get caught up on class assignments, to pack for our long journey back to Zagreb, and a day to relax. I spent the day trekking around Makarska, headed to the beach, and I could not help but take notice the mixture of culture and public health. While walking down the street I noticed a jar of Rakija brewing in the sun. Rakija is a rather strong, home brewed alcoholic beverage made from various fruits, nuts or honey that you often receive upon arrival when visiting someone. Offering the drink is a way to make someone feel welcome, which I think is a nice gesture. Right across the street was a fresh produce market (pictured above) where I purchased some of the most delicious cherries. Markets like this, as well as back yard gardens are common all over Croatia, making it very easy to increase the number of fresh fruits and vegetables in ones diet. This is especially important as Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) is prevalent in Croatia, and consuming fresh produce acts as a protective factor for CVD.

Further down the street I passed a group of people standing around and smoking. They were gathered around a public ash tray on the corner of the street, relaxing and socializing. Approximately one third of Croatians use tobacco, and on average every tobacco user loses 15 years off of their life. Croatia is working on reducing the number of people who smoke in multiple ways. I have noticed posters and advertisements promoting smoking cessation. One ad tried to take a positive perspective on quitting smoking, stating one should “Say Yes to No Smoking.” I thought this was an interesting perspective to take as it makes you stop and think about the message for a moment. Another example included the warning labels on cigarette and tobacco packaging, as seen in the photo above. Finally, the government is taxing the tobacco products, making them less affordable. I checked on the price of a pack of cigarettes and they cost 22 Kuna, or about $4.25 which I was told is somewhat comparable to prices in the U.S. I was also told that more than half of the price in Croatia is attributed to government taxes.

While smoking is not a healthy activity, the manner in which people are often seen smoking here reveals a strong social network. People will sit for a long time at a café with friends relaxing, drinking coffee and smoking. This leisure time among peers promotes stress reduction and social support.

Once I got to the beach, I sat on a rock and took some time to sit and just be. I put my feet in the cool, crystal clear water and stared off into the ocean, which is pictured above. Families were frolicking all around me. People were snorkeling in the water. A man in a Speedo dove from the pier and swam out to the buoy and back. A woman was squatting on the water’s edge, gently cupping water in her hands and letting it run down her arms and back. A couple expecting their first baby in a few short weeks was lounging on the shore holding hands. The beach was a fantastic place for friends and families to spend time together, to get some physical activity, and also to relax. It was an almost perfect moment; the only thing that would have made it better was to share it with my husband.