From dawn to dusk, beggars of all kinds work the joints of central Zagreb, of which there are many. Some of them sell things, but they are only thin veils for their true trade. A few of them are rather aggressive, too. Used to all the forms of evasion in the book, they cannot be shaken off easily. But I have noticed that most of the beggars pass me by when I am sitting alone, sipping wine, and reading a foreign newspaper. Resting on a chair by my side, my scruffy old knapsack deters their kind, I bet. It probably suggests to them that I do not have much to spare. Be that as it may, it is good to be a foreigner in Zagreb. At least when it comes to beggars.

Addendum I (July 8, 2010)

By and by, Croatia is going to hell. More and more people are out of work. The crisis is deepening at an ever-faster pace, as well. And there are ever more beggars in central Zagreb. But many of them still pass me by when I am sitting alone in one of many watering holes. My knapsack, which has been replaced a year ago with a sparkling new one, and my clothing suggest that I am not from these parts. But it is not a matter of how much I have to spare, I guess. Rather, it has to do with my supposed inability to understand their sad stories. Of which there are many, I am sure. At any rate, what a blessing it is to be a foreigner in Zagreb! Make that Croatia as a whole.

Addendum II (February 2, 2015)

The only thing to add to all of the above is that there is nothing to add. In short, everything is very much the same after so many years. Perhaps the only change is in the number of beggars. Year by year, their numbers keep swelling. Which is why most people in the Croatian capital look away if anyone approaches them. Another beggar, they can tell without looking. In short, my appearance is an ever-greater blessing as many of the beggars pay me no attention whatsoever. Which only reinforces my wish to look and behave just like a foreigner. Actually, it also reinforces my feeling that I am one for true. Come to think of it, am I not a foreigner, anyhow?