“To feel the love of people whom we love is a fire that feeds our life. But to feel the affection that comes from those whom we do not know, from those unknown to us, who are watching over our sleep and solitude, over our dangers and our weaknesses, that is something still greater and more beautiful because it widens out the boundaries of our being, and unites all living things.”
-Pablo Neruda
Neruda’s quote perfectly encapsulates our experience in Croatia over the weekend. The trip couldn’t have been a more special way to celebrate a birthday and Steve’s first vacation in 8 years because we shared it with Bear Bear, Surya, Coach CI, and more friends from Finland (Kukka), Denmark (Thierry), Germany (Joaquim), and of course all of the awesome lifters from Slovenia and Croatia.
The event was the WKC’s first European Long Cycle invitational at the underground Core Gym (a creative combination of MMA, strongman, KB Sport, Paintball, S&C, and general fitness) in Zagreb, one of the most fascinating and beautiful cities in the world. Despite being on foreign soil, our hosts (Gregor Sobocan and Bruno Mandic) made us feel right at home by gathering their closest friends to help welcome the lifters from various countries.
It almost felt like a family reunion and we were somehow their long lost relatives. Imagine a fierce highly experienced Croatian boxer and coach (the most kindhearted Neno) alongside his equally impressive fiance (the even sweeter Ivana), magnanimously offering you their love and rich history of their hometown. Thanks to them, we were taken to the city’s most revered 12th century cathedrals — among other amazing historic landmarks — and then to their favorite local restaurants and pubs. Words can’t express the generosity of these wonderful people.
We had an unforgettable adventure with all of the participants on and off the platform in Croatia!
Overview of Zagrebačka Katedrala
Bear at the Center’s flower market
Oh, the food…
Surya enjoying some shopping and exploring in Zagreb on her first trip to Europe.
12th century doors
A wow moment for Steve
It is my hope that everyone back home at the IC spent quality time with family and friends as well during the holiday weekend. In the spirit of Thanksgiving, we thank each one of you for being a part of our community. You are the reason the IC continues to be a special home away from home for everyone here. We also would like to express our enormous appreciation for Jessica, Danielle, Nicki, and Johnny for taking care of life at the IC in our absence… and let’s face it, for being hard working rock stars all year long!
With deep gratitude,
Maya
Tags: Croatia, Ice Chamber, Ice Chamber Kettlebell Girls, ICKB Girls, Long Cycle, World Kettlebell Club, Zagreb
Great update!
As always, I look forward to the stories and pictures you guys share here everytime the Ice Chamber represents abroad.
Maya,
So beautifully written, and such breathtaking photos! Thank you for sharing. What an experience…what memories!
Sara
“Awesomeness” – Rylee
“Wow” – Susan
“Wowzerz”-Rylee
“You are INCREDIBLE”
What great IC ambassadors you make. We are so proud of you.
So happy and proud of you all for not only taking care of business on foreign soil, but capturing the spirit you’ve woven into our community and sharing that too.
Maya, could it be more perfect that you celebrated your day by traveling, experiencing a new culture with kettlebelling? Who would have thought when you first picked up the KB after your son’s birth that THIS would be the wonderful result. Your world is so big and yet small because of the love that you share.
Thank you for sharing – sounds like a blast. Here’s to more Wow Moments – you guys deserve every one.
What beautiful scenery, obvious camaraderie and friendships being forged all through kettlebelling! What memories! Can’t wait to hear/see more. Glad you all made the trip, glad you (Maya) and Steven got some time together away from everything. (8 years Steven?? YOU deserve a big thumbs-up!)
Jen.
Jen, thank you. It’s been a very long time since I’ve been anywhere outside of the IC.
I am extending my heartfelt gratitude to Ivana, Neno, Dalibor, and Bruno for treating us like gold. Much love to you all! I hope you can come visit us in the near future so we can return the favor. Gregor, you are responsible for all this, so you have to come too – and bring all my new friends from Slovenia and Croatia.
What an unforgettable experience. Maya, Surya, Sara, CI, Kukka – you all made “6000 miles away” feel just like home. You guys are, well… beyond words. It’s an honor to have you as my friends.
Finally, I could not have gone anywhere without the key players holding down the fort: Jess, Danielle, Nicki, Johnny, and all the IC members; thank you from the bottom of my heart. Hopefully, I can do something like this again in 8 years.
I send you greetings from Croatia Kb Team Giryatrija!!
I am glad I had the opportunity to meet all you guys.. We had fun times together and I hope we can repeat that in the near future.. I see you as as a lost and found old frieneds..
Sara nad Surya I hope you ve learned something on Nenos boxing class…
It was fun to see you boxing.. Ill send you video per e-mail so you can show off to Steve…
And Surya you made me speechless when you gave me the necklace.. I am still touched with that gesture.. And I promies when I earn mine I will send you (or give you in person) mine…
Much love to you all!!
Thanks to all of you for a great trip and Steven for talking me into coming
It was Great to meet the Croatian KB Team and to see Gregor again. Their hospitality was great and I look forward to seeing you guys sometime in 2010.
CI
What an amazing trip! I still feel like I was in some kind of wonderful dream & I don’t want to wake up!
I am not sure if there are words to describe how great this experience was…. Gregor and Bruno thank you for putting this competition together and allowing so many parts of the world to come together in such a beautiful location.
Ivana & Neno you are amazing people and I am so happy that our paths crossed. Thank you so much for taking such good care of us- you are truly long lost friends. Neno, I going to watch Million Dollar Baby and study it so when we meet again I will have a few more boxing skills! Haha
Many thanks to Dalibor for all that you did for us and hope you recover fast so we can see you on the plateform with bells in hand.
Steve & Maya thank you so much for all that you do and for making this happen. Your hard work is greatly appreciated.
Surya I am so happy we did it!
Cheers to all our new KB friends from Germany, UK, Croatia, Denmark, etc and look for to meeting again soon!
My first visit to Europe was well worth the wait. My gratitude to Ivana, Neno, Dalibar, Bruno, and Gregor. I was overwhelmed by your kindness and generosity.
You have a beautiful country and I feel so very blessed to have had the opportunity to visit.
Had I not had the support and encouragement from such wonderful friends like Maya, Steve, Sara, Jessica, Cate, and Kukka I do not think I would have ever had the courage to travel for the first time abroad and away from my family. This wonderful trip has forever changed me and I cannot thank you enough.
Finally I must thank my husband Orion from the bottom of my heart for always supporting me to chase my dreams, you have proven time and time again that there is nothing you will not do for me and for that I am eternally grateful! I am blessed to have you in my life.
How sweet it is to return from such an amazing experience to a community of people you think so highly of-my IC community!
Thanks Maya for writing such a beautiful post ! I am so glad you all had an opportunity to visit such an incredible place. I hope our European friends will visit us soon!
xoxo
What an AWESOME experience. I just had to say how impressed I am by all of your commitment and warmth. Frankly, it is magnetic and good things will keep coming your way because of it. This post made me feel like I got to have a piece of the experience. Thanks!
Thanks for the wonderful pictures and stories from the Zagreb meet. What a wonderful experience for your team. Thanks, too, for the nod to Pablo Neruda, one of my favorite poets. Of course, I must add my special hooray for Bear.
Thank you very much for posting this wonderful experience. I am glad that I had the opportunity to meet you all. For me it was as we already were close friends. As I said to Steve: Even a few thousand miles away one can feel that IC is more like a family than only a fitness club. Perhaps there is a chance to visit IC with my family. I would be glad for that or for meeting you again personally at a competition.
Greetings from Germany
Jo
Maya, Thanks for the kick up the butt and making me come down there!
I had a great time, and looking forward to the next event!
This was a great kick off for the new wave of GS in Europe.