歐洲的后花園
——克羅地亞

文/Diego

In the World Cup 2018 final game,Croatia lost to France and missed the opportunity to become the 9th country that has ever won the cup.However,it made its own historic run in soccer.Over 10 percent of Croatians poured into the streets of its capital to welcome their heroes home.

The Republic of Croatia is at the crossroads of Central Europe,Mediterranean and the Balkans.In 1991,Croatia declared（宣告）its independence from the former SocialistFederalRepublic ofYugoslavia.Its capital Zagreb is also the biggest urban（城市的）city of the country.In 2013,Croatia became a member of EU.Croatia has an area of 56,594 square kilometers with a population of about 4.28 million.

2018年世界杯，克羅地亞雖然在決賽中輸給了法國，無緣成為世界杯史上第九支奪冠隊伍，卻已經創造了自己在足球競賽上的歷史。超過十分之一的民眾自發走上街頭，迎接球隊隊員載譽回歸。

克羅地亞共和國位于中歐、地中海和巴爾干半島交會處。1991年，克羅地亞宣告從前南斯拉夫王國獨立出來，首都為其最大的城市薩格勒布。2013年，它加入了歐盟。克羅地亞國土面積約56，594平方千米，人口約428萬。

For most Chinese people,Croatia is not a familiar name.However,this small country,defined with warm and rainy continental climate,is the best vacation spot for many Europeans.More than 11 million tourists visit Croatia each and the most numerous are from Germany,Slovenia,Austria,Italy and Poland.Tourism dominates the Croatian economy.

對于大多數中國人來說，克羅地亞并不是一個熟悉的名字，但這個有著溫暖而多雨的大陸性氣候的小國，是許多歐洲人心中的度假勝地。每年約有1100多萬人造訪克羅地亞，其中德國、斯洛文尼亞、奧地利、意大利和波蘭是前往克羅地亞游客最多的國家。旅游服務業也是克羅地亞經濟中最重要的一部分。

The Climate Determines The Personality

Although small,Croatia is a genuinely（真誠地）diverse（多種多樣的）country.Ithasawonderful coastline,impressive mountain ranges and rich lowlands.Due to historical and geographical reasons,the culture in Croatia is like a mixture of Europe,the Balkans and Mediterranean. The people of Croatia have various personalities depending on which region they are from.

Dalmatian in the south are known to have really beautiful people.Here,the day starts at noon and is filled with chatting and gossiping.People gather together to talk about the weather,the crowd,soccer but are reluctant（不情愿的）to work.The capital city Zagreb in the northwest is a huge urban center for Croatians but a charming little town in the world’s eye.People here are more likely to be posh（漂亮的）and fashionable.Slavonia in the south enjoys rich soil and a comfortable life.People of Slavonia like to eat,relax and laugh.

氣候決定性格

克羅地亞雖然是一個小國家，卻非常多元化。這里有美麗的海岸線、迷人的山脈和富饒的盆地。由于歷史和地理原因，克羅地亞文化也像是歐洲、巴爾干和地中海文化的三合一。當地人的性格和名聲，由于地域的不同而截然不同。

南部的達爾瑪西亞，是克羅地亞盛產美人的區域。在這里，以閑聊為主要內容的一天從中午開始，他們聚在一起，懶于工作，聊天氣、聊人群、聊足球。西北部的首都薩格勒布在克羅地亞人心中是一座巨大的城市，在世界心中則是一座可愛的小城。這里的人相對更時髦、更追求時尚。東部的斯拉沃尼亞，土地肥沃，生活富足。這里的人喜歡美食、放松和大笑。

Time For A Coffee

Most of Croatians belong to the middle class,which mean a monthly income of 400 to 500 euros.For a single person living with parents,it’s some good money.However,for any families that need to pay a rent,it doesn’t allow them to dine（進餐）nor travel too much.As a result,most Croatians socialize（交往）in one of thousands local coffee shops.People order the cheapest coffee for 1.5 euros and chat with friends for hours about what’s new in life,and complain about the never thriving（繁榮的）economy in Croatia.

If in Croatia,if people invite you for a coffee and you say no for some reason,then they will think you aren’t much of a social person and will not invite you again.

Coffee in Croatia is the olive branch of friendship.

一杯咖啡的時間

克羅地亞大部分人屬于中產階級，月收入大概四五百歐（約合三四千人民幣）。對于單身且仍舊和父母住在一起的上班族來說，這是很不錯的收入。但對于需要支付房租、養育孩子的已婚人士來說，四五百歐是不允許他們經常進出高級餐廳或隨意旅行的。因此，大多數克羅地亞人社交的場所是在街頭的小咖啡館里。1.5歐買一杯最便宜的咖啡，和幾個朋友一起聊上幾個小時，談談生活中的新鮮事，抱怨一下克羅地亞不見上升的經濟。

假若身在克羅地亞，有人邀請你去喝一杯咖啡，你卻拒絕了，那么，克羅地亞人會認為你不擅社交，從此將你拒之門外，不會再邀請你第二次。

克羅地亞的咖啡，就是友誼的橄欖枝。