Dear Bare Feet™ Fans,
My travels have taken me to so many beautiful places around the world, but I have to say that I have completely fallen in love with Croatia! After spending a week on the Dalmatian Coast in the cities of Dubrovnik, Korcula, and other neighboring towns last month, I am smitten. Overlooking the pristine Adriatic Sea while eating the fruits of the ocean rejuvenated me. 1,000-year-old towns with a living history is something I've never really experienced before. And what struck me the most about Croatia was its people. Yes, I was able to dance and make music with some of the most welcoming souls I've ever met, but seeing firsthand how tradition, culture, and family are are so strong here, it made a huge impression on me.
What some tourists tend to overlook is that only 20 years ago there was the Croatian War of Independence, causing destruction and devastation in the area. Luce, a refugee from the village of Cilipi that I met on my travels, said that immediately upon her family's return to their home of ruins, she made her son the folkloric costume and the group began dancing again. Dancing the traditional Lindjo, Poskocica, and other dances helped these people overcome extreme devastation, and I was honored to dance all of these with Luce's son, Perica, in the town square.
Stay tuned for upcoming videos on the Bare Feet™ YouTube channel and for the Bare Feet™ Season Two on NYC Life in 2105 featuring this hidden gem!
Hvala!
- Mickela Mallozzi
Special thanks to our sponsor for this trip, Croatian National Tourist Board.
