July 15, 1981

Travel Diary

Date: July 15, 1981

"Today, we didn't do much. This morning, gypsies came by. They had dancing bears. I took a few pictures. This afternoon we picked plus to be made into whiskey*. We were going to go to a certain persons house, but we didn't. We'll go tomorrow, I guess. Tonight, I got sorta made when I was teased about P., so I walked out - still happy. Mama apologized. I hope the teasing is over with now. Didn't mail letters today - tomorrow. Tasted my first coffee** - it wasn't too bad. When the Gypsies were here, a girl came up and asked for bread. I pretended not to understand. Before sleep - we talked for 3 hours."

* The plums were actually used for plum brandy, or "slivovitz". This stuff was made by a traveling still. People used their own plums to make their supply for the year. Slivovitz is drank by taking a straight shot of it. Let me tell you, it BURNS!

** The coffee was Turkish coffee. After pouring a tiny cup of it, you let it sit so the grounds can settle to the bottom of the cup and then you can drink it.

July 15, 1981

July 14, 1981

Travel Diary

Date: July 14, 1981

"I received my first mail today, 3 letters! I wrote 2 letters. I didn't do much else. At about 12:00, I was hanging out the window, a bus stops, and who should get off? Celo. We talked for only a few minutes. Z. wasn't there to translate. We stayed in because the rest of the tile was laid. Took a walk later on tonight. It's raining now."

July 13, 1981

Travel Diary

Date: July 13, 1981

"Today I wrote 3 letters. I didn't do much else since tile is being laid in the entry and I can't get out [of the room]. We had the window open at about 6:00, and Mama had just given me a handful of flowers - daisies & 2 glads, and a bus stopped, so Z. said, "M., It's Celo." I didn't believe her, until he stopped in front of the window. I wonder if I made a pretty picture. He said that the film had been bad - the one that he asked Z. if I wanted to watch. He didn't stay long, he was hungry, so he went to his house.
"The reason why Z. said no when he asked if I would watch TV with him is because it isn't done. Girls don't go into guys houses, and guys don't go into girls. Z. translated a song that she wrote and she asked me to write one, so I did - really a poem. It's called "You and I, Love." Z. says that she's going to give it to Celo. We'll see. I'm tired and I must use the can, but I don't know if I can."

I didn't know it at the time, but the house where we were living had recently been built. There was a front gate and once in that, it opened up into our land. There was an older house which had been Mama's parent's house (and I believe where they lived before this house was built). There were fruit trees and the land went back until it reached the train tracks. The entry to the house faced the large back yard. At this time, there was no door!! Instead, a large curtain was hung across the opening. As you entered the house, there was the tile foyer. Off to the right was a door. That lead to the stairs that went upstairs. There was nothing but storage upstairs. The second door on the right was the bathroom. This was large with a hand-held shower for the tub. Here was a stove since there was no central heat. Gas lines for heat were laid in 1997!

The next door, which was opposite to the entry way, was the room where Z. and I slept. We both had convertible sofa beds. The next room was the living/dining room. Suzy slept in here and I kept all of my clothes here. We spent most of our time in this room. We were ever so lucky in that the bus stop was nearly right outside our house, so we got to see who came and went all day long. In a village of this size, this was the most exciting thing to happen each day! Opposite the bathroom was the kitchen. We ate in here and there was another convertible sofa where Mama & Tata slept. So that was our house! The outside was brick with stucco added later.

Back to Yugoslavia

When last we left you, I was 17 years old, living in Yugoslavia (now Croatia) as an exchange student for the summer of 1981. I was loving living with my host family: Tata (dad), Mama, Z. (my 15-year old host sister) and Suzy, (13-year old host sister). I was getting attention from the men/boys in the area and that was rather exciting.

Sometimes I read some of these next entries and cringe a little. But I remind myself that I was 17 and that's the way I was waaaay back then. So, here's more:

Travel Diary
Date: July 12, 1981

"Last night, we (Z. rather) talked to Celo for about 2 hours. Details on what he said later - when I find out. He said that he liked me - yesterday. Celo asked Z what if he fell in love with me. "What?" Z asked.
"I'd need a translator. Will you do it?"
Z: "No, you just need a dictionary."
Nada: "No, you just need to know three words. Do you know what they are?"
C: "No.... Oh, 'I love you.'"
Sounds promising. Went to church this morning. Long & hot! Went to soccer tournament today. Celo stayed by us. He asked if I liked him. "Yes." No answer [from him] - blush.*
"Tonight ALL of us walked to the disco but before we got there we were told that it was nothing, so we went back home. Celo asked Z if I wanted to watch TV w/ him. She said, "No." That isn't done here. Details later."

* Celo blushed, that is. Not me.

Hoover Dam

Well, my exercise in posting photos has me frustrated for right now, so I'll continue with the tale of my trip.

We drove out to Hoover Dam, getting caught up with tons of traffic which crawled along. The new by-pass will be for the regular folk who don't need to drive across the dam and that should help out with the congestion. There's a security checkpoint just before the dam, so that slows things up too.

At the Dam, we purchased tickets to see the power plant ($11). We first saw a movie about how the Dam came to be. Then we took an elevator down under the dam and then to the power plant area. Pretty interesting stuff. And then we ended up in the history center. Contrary to popular belief, no one is buried in the cement of the dam!

Of course we had to visit the Dam gift shop! Then it was back towards Las Vegas. We were in search of:

Yes, there's actually a Dunkin Donuts (Caleb is originally from Boston). We finally found it at 5:45. And the doors were locked! But, the sign said they were open until 6 PM. A muffled voice from inside told us to go through the drive-thru. So, Caleb ordered his iced coffee and we asked what kind of donuts they had left. "No donuts." Huh? Is not your name Dunkin DONUTS?! I suggested we go dumpster diving. No took me up on it. Caleb got his scorched iced coffee and off we went back to Primm.

Once back, we visited with some of MSM's family and then had dinner together. Afterwards, this Broad Abroad plunked herself down at a Blackjack table for her very first play. And within the first 5-6 hands, had gotten 3 Blackjacks! Beginner's Luck!

We ended up playing until 1:30 where we cashed in and realized we had won some. Not enough to purchase a small country, but enough to make us chortle.

On Monday, it was back to reality. We left in plenty of time to return our rental car and get through the lines in the airport. TSA was monitoring how the lines through security were moving and opening up more lines as needed. Hey, what a concept!

And then we arrived back at home. Safe and sound.

Dare I try yet again?

Bare with me....

OK!!!!! It worked. It's small, but it worked.

last try. I think I got it this time

Where is the photo???

try again

I really do have a husband. Let's try this:

Hoover Dam

Your very own Broad Abroad with MSM husband:

View downstream with the by-pass bridge (under construction):

Hoover Dam

Viva Las ... Primm?!

Let's fast forward to present day. Over the long weekend, MSM (My Soul Mate husband) and I flew to Las Vegas and then drove to Primm, NV. There we met up with members of his family and paid tribute to MSM's sister, Kitty, who passed away nearly a near ago. Kitty had always wanted to see Reba McIntyre in concert, so guess who we all saw in concert on Sept. 5?!

We arrived in Las Vegas on Friday night and then drove out to Primm where we checked in here at Buffalo Bill's casino. We met up with lots of family members and had dinner. I went up to the room at 11 PM while MSM stayed to gamble a little.

On Saturday, I was about to hit the Outlet Mall (connected to another casino there in Primm) when I stumbled upon the family, about to have breakfast. The wait to be seated allowed me to poke MSM a number of times, whisper, "You can sleep when you're dead" and get his cute tushy out of bed. Breakfast took forever but it gave us a chance to chat.

After breakfast, MSM and I, along with niece Amy and her boyfriend, Caleb, took the shuttle over to the Primm Valley Casino where we viewed Bonnie & Clyde's shot-up car. If you've ever seen the movie by the same name with Warren Beatty in it, realize that in reality they used a fraction of bullets. After that, we did some shopping with MSM emerging as the shopaholic.

We had a quick dinner and got ready for the show. I don't know of any songs that Reba sings, but the concert was good.

On Sunday, we met up with Caleb and Amy and had breakfast at the buffet at Primm Valley Casino (pretty small, in my opinion, with limited options.) Then we headed to Hoover Dam. Photos in the next post since I can't seem to get them to post where I want them to -- yet.

Have Passport, will travel!

So my darling husband and I are jetting off tonight to Las Vegas. Except I discovered this morning that I've lost my Driver's License! It didn't slip under the sofa cushions. It wasn't on the floor in my office at work and I don't remember the last time I used it/saw it. What a mess!

Except I have a Passport so I can travel! And the passport is in its safe spot, ready for me to take it out tonight and use it on my travels. [[wipes sweat off of brow]] Disaster adverted!

Las Vegas: the glitz, the glam! Except we're not going to be staying in LV. No, we're driving a bit out of town to meet up with My Darling Husband's family. I'll post photos and details on Tuesday.

And a Good Time will be had by ALL.

A Photo??

I'm going to try to er, borrow, a photo and put it in here.

I had recently posted about trying on the National Costume and I want to show what they look like. Now, one thing to know about Croatian National Costumes: there are literally thousands of different styles. Each area, each town, each village, etc. has something different. What I've posted above is as close as I can get to what I tried on in 1981.

July 11, 1981

Travel Dairy

Date: July 11, 1981, Sat.

"I was sick last night - I don't know why. Today we got dressed up in the national costume. I had 4 underskirts, the skirt, an overskirt, a blouse, shawl & gold coins. And it was HOT! We had pic's taken. Tonight, we stood outside talking. Celo came & there were others. They were waiting to go into the Disco across the street. We didn't go, but we'll go tomorrow. Z. told me that Celo is falling in love with me. We hang out the window and listen as people leave the disco."

July 10, 1981

Travel Diary

Date: July 10, 1981, Fri.

"Not much today. Staining was done on some of the woodwork. We went to G. this afternoon. There Z. picked up her bike, we had ice cream, bought a "Studio", and we biked home. Tonight, we went to a youth meeting. A fight almost broke out. It was kind of funny. Now we're waiting for an American film to come on [TV]. I doubt if we watch it. Went to the store this morning."

"Studio" was a magazine, like People with TV listings in it. The village had one store and everyone would go there each morning to buy their bread.

Travel Diary July 9, 1981

Travel Diary

Date: July 9, 1981

"Today I read - I went for a short walk. Tonight, we went again with the old German speaking lady in her horse and wagon. Again we got clover. Z. and I walked. Tonight, after supper, I showed my newspapers. I found a woodtick on my neck. Z. says that they never are on people - only animals. Then why me? It rained abit."

I must have brought a local newspaper with me, probably with a story in it about me going abroad. I don't remember. I do remember that the newspaper did a story on me after I returned and got many facts wrong!

July 8, 1981 - Wed.

Travel Diary

Date: July 8, 1981 - Wed.

"I still didn't feel too great today. This morning, I was inside, then I went out and sat w/ Mama & Tata. Then we had a water fight - Suzi, Z. and I. It was fun. Then, I became real tired and I went inside. Tonight, we rode in the German lady's horse and wagon while she got clover. After that, we went to the place where I'll try on a national costume. There we also saw a wedding dress. Tonight, we were kinda' silly, and I loved it. We danced around. At the house of the costumes I was given a flower - Jesus's crown (passion flower, I think). It lives only 24 hours and grows only here. At least that's what I understood."

July 7, 1981

Travel Diary

Date: July 7, 1981 - Tues.

"I'm not well. I haven't been since last night. I wrote two letters today."

________________
All 18-19 yrs guys only go into Army for 15 months.
Z. goes to school from 2:00 PM to 7:00 PM
town drunks
old women - horses & wagons -
buses & busdrivers - trains"*

* I must have been jotting down notes of things I wanted to write more about.

July 6, 1981

Travel Diary

Date: July 6, 1981, Monday

"Yesterday, we didn't see the soccer game. Last night, we did go to the disco - BORING. J.TEYHO was there, but he hardly even acknowledged me. We left early and on the way home, I was melencoly. I needed my American friends. I was REALLY QUIET! Today, all I've done is read! I finished GWTW - sniff, sniff! Now, I'll write. Oh, well."

July 4, 1981 Yugoslavia

Travel Diary

Date: July 4, 1981

"Today we did nothing. I read GWTW - no writing. We watched a stupid American film, and tonight we took a walk. Tomorrow we'll watch a soccer game and tomorrow night, we'll go to the DISCO! Thrills! Maybe J.TAYHO will be there! I'm teased about him - that he's my boyfriend - ha! Oh, well, that's it. They're trying to force me to eat more - I firmly refuse!"