A Month with Matthew: In Croatia

On his last night in the village, Matthew reflects on a wonderful month, including what he has accomplished, what he’ll miss, and what he’ll be taking back with him as he returns his day-to-day life.

As his time in the village nears its end, Matthew catches up with friends. In the process, he learns more than he ever expected to know about hedgehogs—including the difference between Croatian and African ones.

On his last full day, Matthew starts preparing for his departure—while hoping he can fit in one last trip to the beach.

The day of the village festival, Matthew has an epiphany that heralds a major—and bittersweet—turning point that will dramatically alter has life at home.

That night, the festivities in full swing, Matthew meets up with village friends and makes a new one, is the recipient of still more incredible hospitality, and tries not to think about the fact that the end is near.

When the church bells won’t stop ringing, Matthew learns that it’s the day of the village festival, when the Virgin Mary will be taken on her yearly stroll through the village—and the whole village will party late into the night.

Later, Matthew faces the fact that he only has four days left in the village—and he really doesn’t want to leave.

Thirty takes later, for some reason Matthew still cannot manage to film what should be an easy, routine promo clip. On a walk that night, he comes under attack in his underwear and overhead, too, in what prove to be two very close calls.

When Matthew sees a little girl at the nude beach, he can’t help but think about how lucky she is to have parents instilling in her a healthy body image.

Back at home, Matthew has encounters with industrious ants, adorable geckos, and a spider that is horrible at hide-and-seek.

Matthew reflects on how and why—while grappling the day before with his doubts and fears—journaling was so helpful in helping him to see clearly and get himself out of his malaise.

Later, Alfred decides that Matthew needs a master’s degree—and should get one in Croatia, which leads to discussions about visas, cost of living, and brain drain. As for Alfred, Matthew decides that Ohio is the best place for him to live in the States.

Still grappling with some doubts and fears, Matthew reflects on how many of our struggles are “all in our head,” how our thoughts create our emotions, and how being present and taking action can be potent antidotes to tough times. A delicious free dinner—his first meal out since being on the island—and a little too much wine help lift Matthew’s spirits, as well.

Matthew gets unequivocally blown off by Young Neptune, at last enabling him to definitively conclude that friendship has died on the vine.

Matthew also has a day where he is overwhelmed by doubts about his creative endeavors and if or how they will amount to anything that matter to anyone but himself. In response, he shares what he does to get through such occasional days of doubt.

Matthew and Lidia have another linguistic misunderstanding, and Matthew rediscovers the joy of writing.

Meanwhile, questions about the LGBTQ experience in Croatia lead Matthew to recall that time he had to come out on live radio.

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