Differing Perceptions of Zagreb and Africa in an Infant's Thought Process
Rewritten Article:
October 1, 2023 - Welcome aboard, Kreso Raguz! We're thrilled to have this seasoned journalist on board TCN. Kick-starting with an enlightening series about his multinational family's experiences, we dive into a toddler's perspective on the contrasts between life in Africa and Zagreb. Buckle up!
Luna was born at 990 grams in Kigali, Rwanda, at La Croix du Sud Hospital. Born weeks earlier than her due date, a condition her mom didn't exhibit preeclampsia symptoms for. But Luna and her mom pulled through – survivors! At 25 months, Luna's seen a lifetime's worth of experiences.
Three months ago, Luna made the leap to Zagreb with her family, and as her father (and us), we're intrigued to see how she perceives this new world around her. With her mixed bag of French, English, Croatian, and Kinyarwanda, asking her questions is a tongue-twisting challenge. So, let's see what Luna has to share about her two homes...
Luna's Thoughts on Africa and Zagreb
1) Luna, what do you miss most about Africa?
Friends! There aren't many children in Zagreb. Here, only mommy and daddy take you to the park. Back home, brothers, sisters, neighbors brought multiple kids to play. Everyone was there – no bounds!
2) Where does food taste better?
In Zagreb. They give you candies, chocolate, donuts! In Africa, it's all about fruits and vegetables. Here, when hungry, someone runs to the store, while in Africa, they head to the garden.
Email: *
3) What's special about Zagreb that Africa doesn't have?
Animals galore – dogs, cats! But no chickens or cows. and no idea who provides eggs and milk...
4) Would you say the weather's nicer in Africa or Zagreb?
It's been sweltering in Zagreb, hotter than Africa. But suddenly it gets freezing at night. Mommy's always wiping my nose. Guess we're heading toward Africa's weather soon!
First name:
5) Who shows you more love – adults in Africa or Zagreb?
Zagreb adults stroke your cheek and babble goo-goo-ga-ga at you in the street, in the tram, everywhere. Plus, they take care of you when you cry. In Africa, no one bothered.
6) Who takes care of you in Africa and Zagreb?
Everybody cared for me in Africa. Grandmas, aunts, neighbors, everyone. In Zagreb, only kindergarten ladies watch us. That's peculiar.
Last name:
7) What's a mobile phone?
In Africa, adults chatted on their cell phones. In Zagreb, kids hold their own! They play games, watch cartoons; just gazing at it is boring.
8) What makes you upset?
Daddy shushing me for being loud. In Africa, folks didn't mind the kids making noise. Even my dad didn't care when I threw tantrums. But here it bothers everyone. Mommy rubbing diapers on me annoys me too – no fun weaning off them here.
Gender:
9) Does anyone make fun of you?
Kids asked my big sister if I'm black in Zagreb. My sister scolds them, and so does daddy. In Africa, some kids teased me as 'muzungu.' Looks like kids everywhere get the spotlight!
Male Female
10) Would you prefer to stay in Zagreb or return to Africa?
Daddy and mommy often talk about moving to Mars. They seem unhappy. Worked in Africa, no money. In Zagreb, no work due to those papers we're waiting for. I hope we can all head to Mars sooner, wherever that might be!
Reporter Kreso Raguz, with 20 years of writing for top Croatian media, dives into the cross-cultural lives of families living split between Africa and Europe. He left for Rwanda 12 years ago to run businesses, moving back to Croatia three months ago with his wife and daughter.
Covering everything from war conflicts in the Middle East to the lives of ordinary folks in 108 countries, from the Himalayas to the Amazon, Raguz brings a unique perspective to TCN.
Country:
Stay tuned for more stories about multicultural families, adaptation struggles, corruption, and politics in Africa and Europe – the more things change, the more they stay the same!
*Don't miss out! Subscribe to our newsletter – share your email, name, and gender below!
Related Posts:
From "Kissing Spots" to Colorful Irish Streets: Zagreb's Charm
Birthday:
Plunge into the Deep or Soar Through Space – All for Just 30 Kuna!
Pop-Up Restaurant Phenomenon Hits Zagreb: Paradigma Opens Doors
- Despite living in Zagreb, Luna often reminisces about the lively community she had in Africa, where she played with multiple children from neighbors and family.
- Luna has grown fond of the variety of treats she receives in Zagreb, contrasting with the fruit and vegetable-focused diet in Africa, where food was sourced from home-and-garden.
- In Zagreb, Luna is amazed by the abundance of pets like dogs and cats, a difference from Africa, where there were no such animals and the source of milk and eggs remained unclear to her.
- When asked about the weather, Luna finds Zagreb's summer heat uncomfortable, but exciting as it often turns freezing at night, much like the evenings in Africa.
- Luna notices a distinct difference in the way adults treat children between Africa and Zagreb, with the latter showing affection and care even in public places, unlike her experience in Africa.
- The caring community in Africa, where grandmas, aunts, and neighbors all took care of Luna, is starkly different from Zagreb, where only kindergarten ladies provided care for her.
7.Trying to comprehend technology, Luna, who was intrigued by adults using mobile phones in Africa, finds it peculiar that children in Zagreb are allowed to use them for games and cartoons.
8.Luna expresses frustration at being shushed for making noise in Zagreb, as the loudness of children was not a concern in Africa, even during her father's tantrums.
- Luna has experienced name-calling in both Africa and Zagreb, with children questioning her ethnicity in Zagreb and being labeled 'muzungu' in Africa.
- Luna often hears her parents discuss dreams of moving to Mars, expressing their dissatisfaction with the lack of work opportunities in both Africa and Zagreb.
