By IBIP Student Mary

Today we woke up early at 7:30 to leave Dubrovnik! I had a great time in Dubrovnik learning
about the rich history and culture, how tourism plays a vital role in their economy, and exploring
the city center. We were able to see firsthand just how massive tourism is in this small city. The
streets were flooded with tourists, despite it being the tourist off-season.

After about 2 and a half hours, we visited the city of Sibenik. Sibenik is known for St. James
Cathedral and their fortress, both protected by UNESCO. We toured the city and learned a lot
about the different cathedrals and churches located within the city center. St. James Cathedral
was nothing short of amazing! Although we did not get to go inside, the outside was beautiful. I
thought the most interesting fact about the Cathedral was the reason why the faces of people
were carved on the cathedral. At the time, it was considered scandalous to have sculptures of
any people besides saints on churches. However, the artist of the cathedral believed that human
beings were the center of life itself and that it was only necessary that they be featured. This
scandalous nature is what makes the cathedral stand out amongst others in the world, and is
one of the reasons it is protected by UNESCO! After the walking tour ended, we grabbed lunch
before heading back on the bus. I ordered a chicken sandwich and it was delicious!

The next 4 or so hours were nothing too exciting. I sat in the bus trying to pass time by sleeping,
listening to music, and watching my favorite shows. I also reflected about my time on this trip
and what it has taught me. I looked forward to arriving in Zagreb once again.

When we finally arrived in the outskirts of Zagreb, we checked into the hotel and had some
downtime before heading downstairs for a group dinner. The dinner consisted of soup, salad, a
tray with different types of meats and vegetables, and a chocolate crepe filled with whipped
cream for dessert. It was delicious and a perfect way to end the day. The dinner was a very nice
way to wrap up the trip and spend more time together as a group