Bella ciao

A bit more than 10 years. Or 3.783 days, to be more precise.

This is how long I have been living in Vienna.

Old imperial city in the heart of Europe with an exceptional transportation infrastructure, rich cultural and artistic scene, low crime rates and relatively clear air.

Geographically close enough to reach Croatia in less than 4 hours by car. Still far enough to have an opportunity to fully savor and enjoy all the benefits of the most livable city in the world.

I moved to Austria before Croatia became a member of the EU.

It was prior to a modern wave of young generation’s exodus that started shortly after summer 2013. Generously sponsored by empty promises and obsolete political rhetoric of my homeland.

My move had nothing to do with economics but it was definitely a journey towards ‘a brighter future’.

It was never a secret that I moved to Vienna because of Him.

When you do things for love and out of love, everything seems right.

As usual, we had many dreams and hopes. Life, on the other hand, had totally different plans.

So, basically, instead of becoming my new home, Vienna always remained just a polite host.

And this is just fine.

Perhaps I did not find exactly what I was expecting but I made some memories and had plenty of experiences that carved me into the person that I am today.

And I am grateful for that.

Today I’m saying goodbye to Vienna.

It has treated me nicely with the richness of its history, beauty of its architecture, shadows of the trees in the parks and smoothness of the Danube flow. For the past 10 years Vienna represented everything that I have dreamed of. For the past 10 years it represented all that I did not have.

It was not what I was expecting but it turned into a nice story after all.

Here I made some memories that I will cherish forever.

Had plenty of experiences that carved me into the person that I am today.

It enriched my life with many dear acquaintances and some true friends that I leave here like well known ports to which I would happily return from time to time.

Goodbye Vienna! Thanks for being such a great host.

Bella ciao!

15.11.2022