A Month with Matthew: In Croatia Matthew Felix | Storyteller • Humor, Short Stories, and LGBT Travel Writer

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 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.