“I AM NOT A TOURIST” (September 5, 2011)
Thus the proud pronouncement on the T-shirt of a fellow who just walked past me in Zagreb. I was immediately attracted by the disclaimer, but only in the case he was actually a tourist. Unfortunately, he struck me like a denizen of the Croatian capital. As well as born in it. Both in Zagreb and Motovun, I would wear only the reverse claim: “I am a tourist.” If a disclaimer were needed, I would go for something a bit more general: “I am not from here.” Still better: “I have nothing whatsoever to do with this town or country.” The T-shirt would be also an asset when traveling abroad. At least for me, the pronouncement would be universally true. To hell with it, I have always been a tourist.