Three freshmen from the Newcastle University’s rowing quartet stood upon the digital clock at the Ban Jelačić Square in Zagreb, trying to capture in a photo the few spare hours in between the races. There is just over seven hours left until the opening ceremony of the European Universities Games Zagreb – Rijeka 2016.
Even the scorching hot asphalt and the figure 32°C flashing on the large screen on top of the skyscraper did not discourage the trio from visiting Zagreb’s Upper Town.
View from the funicular
Ecology student Thomas Hutchinson, civil engineering student Jack Smith, and history student James Stevenson decided to ride the famous Zagreb Funicular to the Upper Town. The kind driver of the Zagreb electric tram started the funicular so that the trio could arrive to the Upper Town as soon as possible.
“The architecture is outstanding,” said Smith as they were riding.
The rowers learned that the Zagreb Funicular was the shortest funicular railway in the world. This was also their first time riding one.
Upon descending at the upper station, the rowers were able to see the entire city. They admitted feeling as if they could leap over it if there wasn’t for the protective fence.
The rowers loved the Museum of Broken Relationships
“The St. Mark’s Church and the Square are simply astounding,” said Thomas. While visiting the St. Mark’s Square, the group took a photo in front of the government building.
They also learned of the great fire that had ravaged the Upper Town and the famed Stone Gate, the only part of the old wall that had remained intact, therefore becoming the most recognizable symbol of Zagreb.
When asked what they were most impressed with, they immediately singled out the Jarun Lake and its rowing trail.
“We’ve never seen so many people rollerblading in a single place!”
“We loved the Museum of Broken Relationships. Collecting various objects and stories from people who have gone through a turbulent relationship is a creative idea on part of the author.”
In fact, the Museum of Broken Relationships is the first of its kind in the world. It was only recently that another one was opened in Los Angeles.
“That’s like selling ice to an Eskimo,” said one of the visitors.
While relaxing in the Brokenships Café, the trio bumped into the fourth member of their rowing team, Rory Kempson, who was visiting the Upper Town with his parents in a replica of an old Ford.
Volunteer from Finland
EUG’s reporting team talked to another visitor about the Upper Town – Jyreki Eriksson, employee of the Finnish Student Sports Federation, who is currently in Zagreb for a vacation.
“I decided to volunteer as a correspondent for the matches involving Finnish teams at the Games,” said Eriksson.
Results
