On our first full day in Croatia, we visited Trogir, a medieval town that is now a UNESCO world heritage site. There, we toured the Fortress Kamerlengo which is a striking landmark and has a stunning view of the city. Unlike the rest of Croatia, Trogir is very flat, although climbing its walls mitigated that flatness. 

The Kamerlengo Fortress has a rich history dating back to its construction in 1437 under Venetian rule. The fort is named for the camerlengo, a Venetian official and the city’s financial manager. Initially serving various purposes—military base, oil mill, and storage for building materials—it now functions as a public venue for performances and events. The fortress features a trapezoidal design with four towers that offer stunning views of the city and the surrounding area. It bears coats of arms of Venetian officials inlaid into its walls. The legend of the Camerlengo’s Daughter adds a poignant narrative, telling the tragic love story of Diego, a Venetian official, whose forbidden love for Zora ends in heartbreak and loss. His daughter Diana, resembling Zora, also meets a tragic fate, leading Diego to a life of silence. The fortress stands as a testament to both historical significance and enduring tales of love and loss.

Returning home and sifting through the accumulated mail, I found a check for Dan. I asked him about it, and he answered with relief, because he had not been paid for that one-day job and had expected a wire transfer payment and not a snail mailed paper check. It was for a photoshoot where the model was Madonna’s daughter—making him lifestyles of the rich and famous adjacent.