Hi! Late is better than never. This is my illustrated note about The First Croatian Summer Festival, that happened this year (2005) in Rovinj. The main differences from an exciting story written by Dace are:

• I'm writing in English, so all our friends can get a bit of our impressions,
• I came only for the parties, so I cannot say anything about the workshops (though I was watching lady styling from behind),
• Finally, I'm not a good writer, so I hope you like my pictures.

Although Croatia is really close to Italy and there are many italian tourists during the summer, it is not so obvious how to get there. My choice stopped on the route through Venice. It was not the cheapest option, but at first, I've never been to Venice, at second, I've never travelled by sea. I appeared in the floating city in front of St.Simon cathedral, where I had to take a taxi-boat to get to St.Basilio sea terminal.

During each summer there are several speed-boats running between Venice and many Croatian cities. Those speed-boats are doing 30 nodes per hour, so it takes you only 2.5 hours to get from Venice to Rovinj in a good weather. Most of this time we were getting out from the channel of St.Marco, because there's a speed limit of 9 nodes per hour.

Immediately after my arrival to Rovinj I sent a message to Vladi (the festival's host) asking the address of the party. He replied that the party is right in the city and I would find it for sure. I imagined some restaurant in the city with a loud playing music and people dancing inside and outside. I was impressed and surprised to see a big stage and a dancing flour built outside on a square. The square was already crowdy and most of the people were gathered around a fire performance.

With all my transportations I was afraid to be late, but occasionally I came too early. I wanted to see festival organisers and my friends from Latvia that were supposed to come several days before. For that reason I took a walk around, assuming that these latvian eaters should be having a dinner in some restaurant with a view to the stage. I didn't meet any latvian, because they were having a rest after the hard day of workshops. Instead, I met Ola, my good companion in salsa festival in Wroclaw (Poland). Since I was not alone anymore, I relaxed and drank some beer. Later, we met Xavier, who was looking for the same company and we talked about salsa in Italy, Latvia and Canada. When the street artists finished their performance, we decided to start this party. Of course, me and Ola were the first couple on the floor. I hope somebody has a picture.

After some hour the whole square turned into the huge dancing area. Everyone who was passing it, was involved in some way. Many citizens and tourists danced among festival participants. Some people where just spectating, surprised seeing so many good dancers at the same time. This surrounding and a good portion of the refreshing sea air made this party very different from the private sweaty freak-outs some salsa parties are similar to.

Latvian company appeared about 11:00 PM just after the evening program had begun. The party was planned to finish at 01:00 AM, but the whole schedule were shifted by one hour. At 02:30 AM I went through the city to a very cosy place near the sea-side, where the afterparty had to take place. There were already all the latvians, many instructors and organizers of the festival. The most welcome music were bachata, because everybody were damn tyred. I could have made some attractive pictures from this party, but I forgot to take my camera with me. Because, you know, bachata is very sensual dance!

Next morning after the second breakfast we had self-guided tour through the city. I was very surprised that people were talking so many languages in addition to Croatian - English, Italian, German! Visiting Rovinj I understood how I miss the see. After Ola had gone to the workshops I spent some time buying the presents for my friends in Italy. If you're looking for an alcohol in Croatia, you can get confused, as I did. After being in Turkey the word "rakiya" has one certain meaning for me. Here "rakiya" in most of the cases is a grappa (strong alcohol made from grapes). You might find it pure, or with different supplements. The bottle I bought was home-made and flavoured with some herb.

Saturday night had to be the gala party night. It surprised and overcame with many things, probably never seen on other festivals. Even the things already seen seemed to be better. The hotel, where the party were taking place had a terrace facing the see, so we could come out to take a breath anytime. Live music is no more something extraordinary on a salsa festival and this one was not an exception. Shows were colourful and welcome, though some of them were already seen. But the most surprising thing was the show program organised by instructors Manuel Mascarell, Barbara Cano, Angel Ortiz and Dinka. Another surprise was there performances prepared during the workshops. What should I say, never seen.

On the background, festival organisers were working hardly to make everything perfect and in time. I was honestly trying to disturb them, but they were too many. Team of skilled dancers, each responsible for a separate aspect, they were working 22.5 hours a day during the festival and several weeks before it. They were always first on the dance floor (after me, of course), and last in the parties.

Salsa festivals are the right place to meet nice people. This festival was not an exception. I'm sending my greetings to salsa team from Slovenia (at the end, I'm living in 4 hour to Lublana, so may be you can invite me once?) My best wishes to guys and girls from Hungary. You are the most welcome to visit Riga. (I'm not there, but I'm sure my friends from Riga will take care of you :)

Right after the party was over a big storm started. The wind was so strong that it blew away some chairs on the terrace. While rain was raging outside and the music was off, it was the right time to discuss salsa related plans, take a picture with SuperMario or just chill out and relax.

I was leaving back to Venice early Sunday morning missing the last festival party. I'd like to stay more, but I had to fly to Riga on Tuesday. The storm had weakened, but it was still raining. The way back to Venice took more time because of the weather. My friends stayed longer, so I got to Riga before them. Riga surprised me with a sunny weather, but it is already the beginning of other story. See you later. Romans.

P.S. Some other pictures from the festival you can see also here.

P.P.S. May be you want to see more pictures from me?