Croatia 2015: Troy and Ingrid- First trip as Travel Buddies

How it began

I never imagined what a life changing decision it was to join my friend Troy on a trip abroad. I was sitting in my quaint airbnb in Medford, Oregon scrolling through social media after a day of exploring and what did I find? A post from Troy saying he'd finally bought his ticket to Zagreb, Croatia. At the time, I hadn't even heard of Croatia much less considered it a place to visit. But the enthusiasm and excitement I saw in Troy's post left me feeling a sense of envy. I wanted to go too! Unlike most people, I'm the girl who does her best to handle her envy with action, so I messaged him right then and there asking where my invitation was. Of course Troy was wonderful in sharing the details but very skeptical that I would actually follow through. Boy was he surprised when I sent him my confirmation ticket. It was official! We were going :-)

What came to follow were years of wonderful memories full of laughter and excitement, heartache and pain, and most of all a bond that will go unbroken amongst friends from TOTALLY different backgrounds :-)

*Trip Highlight*

The journey to Plitvice Waterfalls

What a car ride this was! As we left Zadar heading to Plitvice, a place Troy had been so excited about going to, we saw the lush country sprawled out before us. Unfortunately, we also took note that the sky was not looking too promising and the predicted weather was not helping the hope we were trying to illicit that the rain would hold off. This was going to be a very wet adventure and my dear friend Troy was not pleased! The amount of time dreaming, building up this particular place across nearly 6months-1year made his expectations stand on mountain tops. Rain was NOT part of that equation and the amount of frustration and disappointment was tangible. However, as the even keeled cool cucumber analytical travel buddy, I redirected our energy to spend the time we had driving discussing alternatives to the plan versus just moving forward despite the weather. The final choice was one I deeply appreciated- onward with the adventure come rain or high water. An unforgettable experience claimed with a choice- To change the perspective and enjoy it for whatever it is. To date it is one of the most memorable moments of that 3 week trip for me. 

The thing that I find so interesting is that me and Troy could not be more opposite as people. We have perspectives that widely vary, passions that deviate from any sense of commonplace, and emotional triggers that both he and I stomped all over while bumping up against one another for 24hours a day across weeks! It tested my abilities as a person to accept someone JUST as they are and assisted in my understanding that I could be accepted in kind despite those drastic and quite frankly, natural, differences we have as people. Ultimately, this moment is the reason I spent the next 5 years traveling along side this dynamic man. The growth that has come from it in conjunction with the amazing memories was worth every single challenge, debate, and irritation. It's my meaning for life. Friendship in spaces unexpected that lasts a lifetime.