Yep, I was in not-so-sunny Florida cheering on my Bears in the biggest sporting event in the U.S.
Stay tuned to find out how I managed to score such a great trip (at least, it was pretty great for a sports fan like me).
Sunday, February 11, 2007
Sunday, January 28, 2007
Last photos of Oz...I promise!
Wednesday, January 03, 2007
Saturday, December 30, 2006
Sunday, December 03, 2006
And finally...the photos
I know you thought I'd return from my trip to Australia and completely forget to show you where I've been. Okay, I've been kinda busy, but I haven't forgotten you.
First, the animals....
First, the animals....
Tuesday, November 21, 2006
G'day Australia
SYDNEY-- I awoke today with a heaviness in my chest, but I wasn't surprised. It's come to be a familiar feeling now. It happens every year about this time.
It's called leaving.
Last night I stopped by for a wonderful dinner and drinks in the 36th floor restaurant called Altitude. As I looked out on the Sydney Harbor Bridge, the melancholy crept in. I didn't bother to push it off. That has never worked for me. I know that in time, probably by the weekend, the weight will lift on its own.
I'll go now and say goodbye to the Opera House and the Bridge and thank them for making me smile. I'll look down on the street and remember to Look Right or Left so as not to become a permanent part of the Sydney pavement. I'll get a flat white with my breakfast and savor the smoothness that Starbucks did not invent.
I've enjoyed a fortunate business life that has allowed me to come to Australia an amazing FIVE times. With the changes in my corporate atmosphere, I can't really say when I'll be back.
But I will.
It's called leaving.
Last night I stopped by for a wonderful dinner and drinks in the 36th floor restaurant called Altitude. As I looked out on the Sydney Harbor Bridge, the melancholy crept in. I didn't bother to push it off. That has never worked for me. I know that in time, probably by the weekend, the weight will lift on its own.
I'll go now and say goodbye to the Opera House and the Bridge and thank them for making me smile. I'll look down on the street and remember to Look Right or Left so as not to become a permanent part of the Sydney pavement. I'll get a flat white with my breakfast and savor the smoothness that Starbucks did not invent.
I've enjoyed a fortunate business life that has allowed me to come to Australia an amazing FIVE times. With the changes in my corporate atmosphere, I can't really say when I'll be back.
But I will.
Sunday, November 19, 2006
Mea culpa
SYDNEY -- I was just re-reading one of my posts and decided that my post about the speed with which I met a man in Establishment could have been taken wrong. It could have been construed as bragging.
Hopefully, everyone that knows me (and some of you who don't) will realize that I was amazed, no, try SHOCKED at meeting David so quickly. Or any guy, for that matter! That's not my kind of luck.
Oh, and by the way, I was supposed to meet David today, but I didn't answer my cell phone. The first time was by accident (really didn't hear it on the bus to Bondi Beach). The second time was on purpose.
Who asks out a woman he's only known a few seconds? !?! Weirdos, that's who. If he was a cute weirdo, I might have given him a chance. Oh well!!
Hopefully, everyone that knows me (and some of you who don't) will realize that I was amazed, no, try SHOCKED at meeting David so quickly. Or any guy, for that matter! That's not my kind of luck.
Oh, and by the way, I was supposed to meet David today, but I didn't answer my cell phone. The first time was by accident (really didn't hear it on the bus to Bondi Beach). The second time was on purpose.
Who asks out a woman he's only known a few seconds? !?! Weirdos, that's who. If he was a cute weirdo, I might have given him a chance. Oh well!!
Gotta love Australia because...
SYDNEY - - I was going to title this post "you know you're in Australia when..." but it's more than just identifying features of the country. It's just stuff that's downright fabulous (sometimes in a bent kinda way, but whatever!)
- To prevent from getting flattened by a bus or taxi, there are Look Right> and
- In an effort to conserve water, you have a choice of full or half-flush, depending on the activity within.
- The Aussies (at least near Sydney) have a store that sells alcohol that's called The Lick Her Shop. Gotta love it!
- In Port Douglas, the garbage trucks are handled by just one man - the driver. That's because the truck is equipped with a giant mechanical arm that picks up the cans, empties them upside-down into the top of the truck and replaces them on the street. Fabulous!
- To keep the little ones happy, Melbourne has a postal drop box for "the big guy." No, I don't mean God. I mean Santa Claus. The box reads "Santa's mail only."
Thursday, November 16, 2006
The MJ
SYDNEY - - I decided it wasn't Melbourne, it was me. I was so bummed about the crappy weather that I almost let it keep me from having a great time.
But I bounced back and now I'm in Sydney and it's great. But one more thing about Melbourne...
The MJ drink (as created by the aforementioned Writer and bartender Clare):
Maker's Mark bourbon
Grand Marnier
a touch of fresh lime juice
tonic water
two mint leaves, muddled a bit
a bit of brown sugar (added last and stirred in)
served in a rocks glass that's rimmed in a mixture of lime zest and white sugar.
I don't know if it won the drink contest at Manchester Lane and if so, whether they'll add it to the drink list, but if you're ever in Melbourne...
But I bounced back and now I'm in Sydney and it's great. But one more thing about Melbourne...
The MJ drink (as created by the aforementioned Writer and bartender Clare):
Maker's Mark bourbon
Grand Marnier
a touch of fresh lime juice
tonic water
two mint leaves, muddled a bit
a bit of brown sugar (added last and stirred in)
served in a rocks glass that's rimmed in a mixture of lime zest and white sugar.
I don't know if it won the drink contest at Manchester Lane and if so, whether they'll add it to the drink list, but if you're ever in Melbourne...
Wanted: one wingman
SYDNEY - -Ladies, what's the fastest you've ever been asked out on a date? I mean, gone from just meeting a guy to him asking for your phone number with the stated intention of asking you out on a date?
How's less than five minutes??
Yep, I think I've found my favorite bar in Sydney. It's called The Establishment and it's loaded with the suit-and-tie crowd (personally, my favorite flavor). Anyway, I hadn't even made it to the bar before David approached me and told me that he thought I was beautiful and HAD to take me out and could he have my number??
Apparently, David was leaving soon, but said we'd have lunch on Monday. (I doubt it 'cause I plan to be on the beach at Manly, but anyway.)
I bought a drink and it ended up being the only one I would pay for that night. Met up with some youngsters who invited me to join them on one of the northern beaches on Saturday (they'd arrange for my transportation). Um, well maybe.
While I'm being chatted-up by the kids, some guys across the bar are blowing me kisses!!! No shit!
Where's Firecracker when I need her?!?!
How's less than five minutes??
Yep, I think I've found my favorite bar in Sydney. It's called The Establishment and it's loaded with the suit-and-tie crowd (personally, my favorite flavor). Anyway, I hadn't even made it to the bar before David approached me and told me that he thought I was beautiful and HAD to take me out and could he have my number??
Apparently, David was leaving soon, but said we'd have lunch on Monday. (I doubt it 'cause I plan to be on the beach at Manly, but anyway.)
I bought a drink and it ended up being the only one I would pay for that night. Met up with some youngsters who invited me to join them on one of the northern beaches on Saturday (they'd arrange for my transportation). Um, well maybe.
While I'm being chatted-up by the kids, some guys across the bar are blowing me kisses!!! No shit!
Where's Firecracker when I need her?!?!
Monday, November 13, 2006
Weather to post by
MELBOURNE - - For those of you who are wondering how I'm finding time to post when I should be on vacation, don't worry. My posts will be less frequent starting tomorrow when I go to Sydney.
Melbourne was quite a shock after the heat of Port Douglas since it is COLD HERE!!! Okay, the Chicagoans are shaking their heads, I know. So it's not COLD, but it's about mid-50s with a pretty impressive wind. After 85 and hot sun, you can imagine my disappointment with this weather.
The cold weather has driven me inside, for shopping, dining, drinking and, of course, internet surfing. Hence the posts.
Melbourne was quite a shock after the heat of Port Douglas since it is COLD HERE!!! Okay, the Chicagoans are shaking their heads, I know. So it's not COLD, but it's about mid-50s with a pretty impressive wind. After 85 and hot sun, you can imagine my disappointment with this weather.
The cold weather has driven me inside, for shopping, dining, drinking and, of course, internet surfing. Hence the posts.
The Waiters' Restaurant
MELBOURNE - -It's a place where a request for wine is answered with a question, "what color?"
Fancy it's not.
The menu is on the wall - - sans prices. There are 30 entrees available (mostly pasta) plus five appetizers and about half a dozen dessert choices. The ambiance is closer to my mother's basement with its fake-wood paneling, so I'm not worried about it being expensive. This is not your typical Melbourne eatery.
The waiter (yes, only ONE) is a 60-ish man who moved very quickly and adeptly around and between the 16 tables (15 of which were filled by the time I left), taking orders over the top of his glasses slid halfway down his nose. Until the 15th table sat, I never saw him write anything down.
Of all the meals I've eaten in Melbourne, it's the first restaurant to give me bread and water without charge.
And my wine - - red, thank you very much - - in a juice glass.
Fancy it's not.
The menu is on the wall - - sans prices. There are 30 entrees available (mostly pasta) plus five appetizers and about half a dozen dessert choices. The ambiance is closer to my mother's basement with its fake-wood paneling, so I'm not worried about it being expensive. This is not your typical Melbourne eatery.
The waiter (yes, only ONE) is a 60-ish man who moved very quickly and adeptly around and between the 16 tables (15 of which were filled by the time I left), taking orders over the top of his glasses slid halfway down his nose. Until the 15th table sat, I never saw him write anything down.
Of all the meals I've eaten in Melbourne, it's the first restaurant to give me bread and water without charge.
And my wine - - red, thank you very much - - in a juice glass.
Sunday, November 12, 2006
And now for something completely different
MELBOURNE-- When I first arrived in Melbourne, I resented it. I resented Melbourne for not being Port Douglas. For not being hot, sunny and mellow like my beloved PD. For not having that no shoes? no worries! attitude of PD.
But, just like people, you can't compare places. So, in search of the comfort of familiarity, I went to Manchester Lane, a jazz club where I enjoyed a great dinner and fun live music a few years back.
My evening was one like I never had in PD. I was drafted into a partying group of 20-somethings who invited me to come out with them tonight to some bar in Brunswick (?). While chatting with the bartenders (mostly female, so nothing there), I was approached by a young black woman who told me that I give off a great vibe and would I like to learn about white witchcraft. Um, huh??
Meanwhile, my bartender buddy Clare, had decided to name a drink after me. Apparently, it's scotch, Grand Marnier and ginger beer (ale) served in a glass with a sugared rim. Since I had been drinking kir royales (champagne and chambord) all night, I decided to come back another time to try "my" drink.
Partying with kids, white witchcraft and a drink named after me...Welcome to Melbourne!
But, just like people, you can't compare places. So, in search of the comfort of familiarity, I went to Manchester Lane, a jazz club where I enjoyed a great dinner and fun live music a few years back.
My evening was one like I never had in PD. I was drafted into a partying group of 20-somethings who invited me to come out with them tonight to some bar in Brunswick (?). While chatting with the bartenders (mostly female, so nothing there), I was approached by a young black woman who told me that I give off a great vibe and would I like to learn about white witchcraft. Um, huh??
Meanwhile, my bartender buddy Clare, had decided to name a drink after me. Apparently, it's scotch, Grand Marnier and ginger beer (ale) served in a glass with a sugared rim. Since I had been drinking kir royales (champagne and chambord) all night, I decided to come back another time to try "my" drink.
Partying with kids, white witchcraft and a drink named after me...Welcome to Melbourne!
Tuesday, November 07, 2006
Best airline ever!
PORT DOUGLAS, AUS - -When I was in Sydney, I was glad to have closed-toe shoes since it was rather chilly, windy and rainy. Now that I'm in steamy Port Douglas, I'm seriously wondering whether public nudity is truly illegal or simply frowned upon.
Anyway, now on to the commercial segment of our programming....
If you ever find your lucky selves in beautiful Australia and need to get from one lovely city to the next, there are several air options for you. Qantas is great, of course, and Jet Blue is a new low-cost airline, but for my money, you've got to fly Virgin Blue.
The flight crew was friendly, as all Aussies are, but we were lucky enough to have a hybrid Aussie named Barry, as our host for the three-hour flight from Sydney to Cairns (nearest airport to Port Douglas).
Barry is Irish.
And crazy.
Some of Barry's loudspeaker comments enroute:
"And straight from flight school, our pilot, Captain....."
"Virgin Blue prides itself on having the best, most professional flight crews. Unfortunately, they're all in Melbourne watching the Cup, so today we have....."
"All electronic devices must be turned off now. That includes cell phones, as they interfere with the pilot's pacemaker."
"If you have any questions while we're in the air, please don't hestitate to ask our purser Alyce. She knows everything."
"As all Virgin Blue flights, this is a non-smoking flight. Anyone caught smoking will be invited to take a seat on the wing and enjoying a complimentary viewing of "Gone with the Wind."
"Will the cabin crew now please hold hands and get ready for takeoff. Alyce! That's not my hand!"
"If you have anything stowed in the overhead bins, please be aware that items may have moved during the flight, so please be carefull. As everyone knows, shift happens."
"And from all of us, including the two boys in the pointy end, thanks for flying Virgin Blue."
Oh, and if that's not enough. We had a game of "guess the combined age of the cabin crew." Yes, they were all under 30, some significantly so. Our girl Alyce is only 24!
The fun is just beginning...
Anyway, now on to the commercial segment of our programming....
If you ever find your lucky selves in beautiful Australia and need to get from one lovely city to the next, there are several air options for you. Qantas is great, of course, and Jet Blue is a new low-cost airline, but for my money, you've got to fly Virgin Blue.
The flight crew was friendly, as all Aussies are, but we were lucky enough to have a hybrid Aussie named Barry, as our host for the three-hour flight from Sydney to Cairns (nearest airport to Port Douglas).
Barry is Irish.
And crazy.
Some of Barry's loudspeaker comments enroute:
"And straight from flight school, our pilot, Captain....."
"Virgin Blue prides itself on having the best, most professional flight crews. Unfortunately, they're all in Melbourne watching the Cup, so today we have....."
"All electronic devices must be turned off now. That includes cell phones, as they interfere with the pilot's pacemaker."
"If you have any questions while we're in the air, please don't hestitate to ask our purser Alyce. She knows everything."
"As all Virgin Blue flights, this is a non-smoking flight. Anyone caught smoking will be invited to take a seat on the wing and enjoying a complimentary viewing of "Gone with the Wind."
"Will the cabin crew now please hold hands and get ready for takeoff. Alyce! That's not my hand!"
"If you have anything stowed in the overhead bins, please be aware that items may have moved during the flight, so please be carefull. As everyone knows, shift happens."
"And from all of us, including the two boys in the pointy end, thanks for flying Virgin Blue."
Oh, and if that's not enough. We had a game of "guess the combined age of the cabin crew." Yes, they were all under 30, some significantly so. Our girl Alyce is only 24!
The fun is just beginning...
Monday, November 06, 2006
An old friend
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - - I'm fighting a losing battle to keep my eyes open as I've been here almost 10 hours already after having almost no sleep on the plane from Los Angeles. Although it's only 6 pm, I'm only staying awake long enough to write this and eat dinner - -I'm starving!
On another note, I'm in love with my bathroom (okay, that's sleep-deprivation talking). The room is the size of my kitchen with a two-person soaking tub in the corner. If only I'd talked to the wonderful Ken doll that was sitting two rows ahead of me on the plane, then maybe I'd have a partner in my lap pool. Oh well!
My room has a view over Hyde Park, two huge queen-sized beds and a flat screen TV...how cool is that?!?!
Not even attempting to masquerade as a local, I wore my Cubs hat as I got re-acquainted with Sydney. (Kinda surprised another (I'm guessing) tourist as he pointed at me and said something to his pals.)
Like an old friend with whom I've lost contact, I've found I have to tread carefully when warming up my love affair with this city...looking right instead of left when crossing the street, ordering a "flat white" for coffee, and trying to remember what the hell "rocket" is.
Which brings me to dinner tonight. I had a Brokenwood Shiraz with beef wellington. It's probably too much to spend on a first-night's dinner, but I'm starving! The wine is quite good. I wonder if it's the same wine that my colleague from Frankfurt suggested when he said "Bloodwood."
En route from Los Angeles, I caught up on my movie-watching with "The Lake House," the new "Pirates of the Carribbean," but I fell asleep before "Prairie Home Companion" began. Too bad!
Upon arrival in Sydney, I texted Leg Shaver Guy (remember him from my trip to Perth last year?) Yes, I know, another sleep-deprivation action! Anyway, he responded and said he'll email me. I just read his email and he's going to see if he can switch his schedule and catch up with me the week I'm in Sydney again (Nov. 15-22). We'll see.
What a snob I am!!! I just had a cheese plate for dessert (of course, since I had some wine left!) There was a really nice white cheddar, a creamy Kings Island brie and a not-too-strong stilton. The cheddar was good, but nuttier than I expected. A fabulous surprise, though, was the dates, apricots, prunes and raisins (or sultantas?) that accompanied the cheeses. Fabulous!
Okay, my stomach's full, so I am sooo ready for bed! (One more thing: total price for dinner with wine, entree and dessert? about $40 US!!!)
On another note, I'm in love with my bathroom (okay, that's sleep-deprivation talking). The room is the size of my kitchen with a two-person soaking tub in the corner. If only I'd talked to the wonderful Ken doll that was sitting two rows ahead of me on the plane, then maybe I'd have a partner in my lap pool. Oh well!
My room has a view over Hyde Park, two huge queen-sized beds and a flat screen TV...how cool is that?!?!
Not even attempting to masquerade as a local, I wore my Cubs hat as I got re-acquainted with Sydney. (Kinda surprised another (I'm guessing) tourist as he pointed at me and said something to his pals.)
Like an old friend with whom I've lost contact, I've found I have to tread carefully when warming up my love affair with this city...looking right instead of left when crossing the street, ordering a "flat white" for coffee, and trying to remember what the hell "rocket" is.
Which brings me to dinner tonight. I had a Brokenwood Shiraz with beef wellington. It's probably too much to spend on a first-night's dinner, but I'm starving! The wine is quite good. I wonder if it's the same wine that my colleague from Frankfurt suggested when he said "Bloodwood."
En route from Los Angeles, I caught up on my movie-watching with "The Lake House," the new "Pirates of the Carribbean," but I fell asleep before "Prairie Home Companion" began. Too bad!
Upon arrival in Sydney, I texted Leg Shaver Guy (remember him from my trip to Perth last year?) Yes, I know, another sleep-deprivation action! Anyway, he responded and said he'll email me. I just read his email and he's going to see if he can switch his schedule and catch up with me the week I'm in Sydney again (Nov. 15-22). We'll see.
What a snob I am!!! I just had a cheese plate for dessert (of course, since I had some wine left!) There was a really nice white cheddar, a creamy Kings Island brie and a not-too-strong stilton. The cheddar was good, but nuttier than I expected. A fabulous surprise, though, was the dates, apricots, prunes and raisins (or sultantas?) that accompanied the cheeses. Fabulous!
Okay, my stomach's full, so I am sooo ready for bed! (One more thing: total price for dinner with wine, entree and dessert? about $40 US!!!)
Friday, November 03, 2006
Things to do before I leave this place (in no particular order)
1. See all of the world's continents at least once.
2. Speak at least one other language fluently.
3. Write a novel and have it published.
4. Learn to express myself in music (either playing or singing).
5. Fall in love with someone who loves me.
6. Learn how to tune up my car and do an oil change.
7. Find a satisfying, challenging and lucrative career.
8. Live, at least for a while, in another country (not just visit).
9. Learn to golf reasonable well.
10. Fly first class.
11. Live in a house with a garden and a huge wrap-around porch.
12. Have shoes made for me by hand.
13. Do something worthy of a newspaper headline (and obits don't count.)
14. Be present when the Cubs win the World Series (although I may have to settle for the pennant.)
15. Spend a weekend at a beach house.
In the meantime, boys and girls, I'm off to spend yet another birthday in Australia. How cool is that?
Next stop...Sydney.
2. Speak at least one other language fluently.
3. Write a novel and have it published.
4. Learn to express myself in music (either playing or singing).
5. Fall in love with someone who loves me.
6. Learn how to tune up my car and do an oil change.
7. Find a satisfying, challenging and lucrative career.
8. Live, at least for a while, in another country (not just visit).
9. Learn to golf reasonable well.
10. Fly first class.
11. Live in a house with a garden and a huge wrap-around porch.
12. Have shoes made for me by hand.
13. Do something worthy of a newspaper headline (and obits don't count.)
14. Be present when the Cubs win the World Series (although I may have to settle for the pennant.)
15. Spend a weekend at a beach house.
In the meantime, boys and girls, I'm off to spend yet another birthday in Australia. How cool is that?
Next stop...Sydney.
Monday, October 30, 2006
They don't make jeans like they used to...
It's Saturday morning and I find myself waiting in line at the bank. Nothing unusual about that. But the guy in front of the queue has caught my attention and I can't quite put my finger on why.
He's young (probably late 20s or early 30s), not particularly cute, and he's just been summoned to a teller window. I don't know why they call them teller "windows" since there really isn't any window at all...but I digress.
Anyway, Bank Guy leans far into the bank teller's window, inappropriately close to the teller. She giggles nervously. He's kinda slimy, you know the type. I cringe for her.
Their transaction comes to a close, but not before I realized why my attention was drawn to him. There it is, on this young stud.
Visible.panty.line!
He's young (probably late 20s or early 30s), not particularly cute, and he's just been summoned to a teller window. I don't know why they call them teller "windows" since there really isn't any window at all...but I digress.
Anyway, Bank Guy leans far into the bank teller's window, inappropriately close to the teller. She giggles nervously. He's kinda slimy, you know the type. I cringe for her.
Their transaction comes to a close, but not before I realized why my attention was drawn to him. There it is, on this young stud.
Visible.panty.line!
Thursday, October 26, 2006
My day...or not
I'm busy at work and my mother calls to tell me that today is "my day." I should explain that my mother has nine (count 'em NINE!) children and takes turns praying for one of them each day. Hence, today is MY day.
I was pretty sure that Tuesday was NOT "my day." How did I know??
Yep, Tuesday was NOT my day.
I was pretty sure that Tuesday was NOT "my day." How did I know??
- Arrived at work to a coworker asking me "where's your earring?" Turns out, I lost one of my earrings. Not just any KMart cheap-o costume jewelry earring - - NO! I lost a hand-made pink beaded earring that I bought from a French woman at a craft fair in Australia. Positive spin: will be off to Australia Nov. 4 and may attend same craft fair.
- I had a date with 3-Minute Guy. Okay, I guess this should be a good thing, but it could be just me and the mood I've been in lately. I'm very stressed about preparing for my trip (with regards to work preparations). He was nice and polite (not trying to grab me or anything), but there was just no chemistry. Maybe I'll post more about the date later, but suffice to say, when I got a parking ticket THREE MINUTES after my coins ran out, I should've taken it as a sign.
- I got home from date with 3-Minute Guy and decided to sit down and watch the news before I went to bed. Well, I stumbled over my solid wood trunk/coffee table and took a Chevy Chase-worthy tumble that resulted in two stubbed toes and a scraped and black/blue thigh.
Yep, Tuesday was NOT my day.
Sunday, October 22, 2006
Family...Croatian style
Just one or two last stories from my trip to Croatia with my mother, if you'll allow.
Although we were able to find the house where my grandfather was born in 1903, we didn't meet any of our relatives on the island of Cres. But Father Bandera, wonderful fellow that he is, made a call or two to the mainland and contacted members of our family who live in Rijeka (a larger city on the coast of Croatia which is very close to Opatija, our last stop).
A woman named Daria said that her mother-in-law, the woman for whom Father Bandera called, was out of town on holiday in Slovenia and wouldn't be back until Sunday. We were leaving Croatia on Sunday.
On that Friday, Daria called our hotel to say that her mother-in-law has decided to cut short her trip so that she could meet my mother. On Saturday, the day before we flew home to Chicago, my mother met for the first time Christina, her first cousin.
How cool is that?
I've told people that, for me, this trip is a combination of Travels in Europe and the History Channel. I guess it was also a peek inside our family album.
My grandfather, when he was a pre-teen, worked onboard the Italian navy ships. As a teenager, he joined the Merchant Marines. It was on one of these see-the-world trips where my grandfather jumped ship to come to America.
He arrived in Chicago, met my grandmother (who had been brought to America as a toddler), got married and started a family. As I've recently discovered, the village of Beli has strong ties to Chicago dating back many years. A man who knew my father in Beli saw him in Chicago and reported him. My grandfather was deported for 1 1/2 years when my mother was four years old.
Until that day in Croatia, I never knew that part of my mother's childhood.
Although we were able to find the house where my grandfather was born in 1903, we didn't meet any of our relatives on the island of Cres. But Father Bandera, wonderful fellow that he is, made a call or two to the mainland and contacted members of our family who live in Rijeka (a larger city on the coast of Croatia which is very close to Opatija, our last stop).
A woman named Daria said that her mother-in-law, the woman for whom Father Bandera called, was out of town on holiday in Slovenia and wouldn't be back until Sunday. We were leaving Croatia on Sunday.
On that Friday, Daria called our hotel to say that her mother-in-law has decided to cut short her trip so that she could meet my mother. On Saturday, the day before we flew home to Chicago, my mother met for the first time Christina, her first cousin.
How cool is that?
I've told people that, for me, this trip is a combination of Travels in Europe and the History Channel. I guess it was also a peek inside our family album.
My grandfather, when he was a pre-teen, worked onboard the Italian navy ships. As a teenager, he joined the Merchant Marines. It was on one of these see-the-world trips where my grandfather jumped ship to come to America.
He arrived in Chicago, met my grandmother (who had been brought to America as a toddler), got married and started a family. As I've recently discovered, the village of Beli has strong ties to Chicago dating back many years. A man who knew my father in Beli saw him in Chicago and reported him. My grandfather was deported for 1 1/2 years when my mother was four years old.
Until that day in Croatia, I never knew that part of my mother's childhood.
Saturday, October 21, 2006
A dip in the Adriatic Sea
September 21, 2006 -OPATIJA, CROATIA - - Mom's been slowly catching a cold, so I've been left to my own devices while she naps. After watching tons of tourists (mostly Germans, or so I'm told) swimming in the beautiful blue waters of the Adriatic, I decided to give it a go.
The sun was hot, temps in the low 80s and I found a small alcove where only a few people had chosen to jump in.
For me, all outdoor bodies of water are met with a certain amount of suspicion. This was no different. You know how a quick dip in a lake feels good on a hot day? The initial chill wears off once you splash around for a few minutes and get used to the temperature.
I descended the ladder to my knees and knew I was in trouble, but thought, "don't be a baby." I let go of the ladder and splashed into the dark, deep waters of the Adriatic Sea.
For the first time in my life, I was certain I would die of cardiac arrest - - and right now! Every inch of my body said, "Hey stupid! Get the fuck out of this water!!!"
So I did.
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