I am surprised by two people dressed in orange right in the middle of Zagreb. Wearing identical hats, jackets, scarfs, long skirts, and drooping shoulder bags, they are difficult to tell apart. It takes me a while to realize that one is male and the other female. The male is slightly taller while the female is slightly fatter. They are ridiculous, all right, but they are a joy to see nonetheless. Buddhists out of place. Judging by their pale faces, which are difficult to see for all the clothing, they come from Northwestern Europe. Tourists, no doubt. As they turn a corner and vanish from view, I am surprised again by a wish to see many more of their kind. Dressed in orange, they would break the monotony of cold, drab days, of which there are many this time of year. Who knows, Buddhism might even thrive in the Croatian capital, and especially in winter.

Addendum (January 27, 2012)

I was wrong about the two people dressed in orange, for I see them quite often as of late. And right in the middle of Zagreb. They are not tourists at all. As it turns out, Buddhists are already thriving in the Croatian capital. Now I am waiting for many more. Crowds of them, if at all possible. Dressed in orange, they would be a joy to come across every single day.