Zagreb - World Cup Fever

Wed.  7/11
Don't take the train from Budapest to Zagreb.  We arrived at the train station in Budapest at 6:10 AM for our 6:35AM train.  Found out that the train to Zagreb was going to depart from a different station, so we were to take some other train 1 stop to get there.   OK.. We get to that station, and there's no announcement, no instructions, and no conductor who would tell us what track to go to to get to Zagreb.  Then... all of the sudden, people start running (down one set of stairs, then up another... schlepping luggage) to get the train.   Then, we're about 3/4 of the way to Zagreb, and we're told we have to get off the train and wait at this run-down deserted station for another train which would take us the rest of the way.   Again no announcement... etc.
We finally arrived in Zagreb around 3:30 PM, about 3 hours late.   'nuff said.

Meanwhile I'm feeling terrible.  Fever is still there and nothing stays in... not even water.   By Friday I decided to seek medical help.  After some calling around, we went to the pharmacy where I bought imodium (and Alexandra bought shoes) on our arrival day figuring that the pharmacist, who spoke English, would tell us where to go.   We ended up at their equivalent of urgent care / emergency room.  It turns out that emergency room care is free for Croatian citizens, so most everyone goes there for most everything. 

We got excellent care.  I saw a doctor within 15 minutes of arrival (try that in the US) .   They then took a blood sample and started IV fluids.   I was there for a total of 9 hours.  Total cost $130.  Imagine what that would cost in the US (probably $8 to $10K)

That night, Zagreb defeated England in the World Cup and the town began going crazy!. 
On Saturday, we ventured out and wandered around the main town square.   There were lots of drunken Croatians celebrating Zagreb's making it to the finals. 
On Sunday, we went up to the square again for lunch at Capuciner, which is opposite the Cathedral of Zagreb. 

Things were about to get really crazy, as Ban Josip Jelacic (central square) was filling up with fans ready to cheer their team on from a distance. 

Ban Josip Jelacic on his high horse with Croatian Colors draped over

There were so many people coming up for the 5:00 PM game that they shut trolley service down within about a 1km radius, so people had to walk from the central station to get up to the square.  It reminded me of New Year's Eve at Times Square, only drunker.