Koko Kusarece Part 1 Thu, 18 Jan 2007
I am two countries behind still but have plenty to say and so will give it a go. I want to try to describe some of the many high points of the time we had in Slovenia. Koko Kusarece means something similar to "How do you say" in Slovenian and it is the phrase that I most remember from my time there. I am trying now to teach it to the parrot belonging to my friends here in Germany. Slow going but I'm sure the parrot will know it after two weeks of repetition. Needless to say we are safely stowed back where it all really began for me. On arrival day a birthday cake had been prepared as my German mother here was sad that she couldn't be there on my birthday to bake one for me. Thoughtful things like that are the type to knock the socks off me. Whenever I had thought of returning here and of the care they had for me my heart felt overwhelmed to tears. I shall want to describe more soon but for now Slovenia is the name of the game.
On day two in the country we went with Ana to the Slovenian coast and the town of Koper. There we met with Ana's friend Snezka and Snezka's mother. We were treated to a marvelous luncheon feast and the preparations allowed us to feel like honored guests. It is so wonderful to experience such hospitality on the first meeting with someone. After feasting and chatting we went to visit a town further along the coast but not before receiving gift bags filled up with treats. It is difficult to describe the warmth and welcomeness generated in such hospitality but I can assure you the feeling is wonderful. We spent the rest of the evening wandering this other town which I have currently forgotten the name of. Andy got a complete history lesson of the place from Snezka and otherwise we all had marvelous conversations. Conversations that didn't have to end at "What kind of work do you do" or "Rough weather we are having, huh?" Rather about life, the passions that drive us, and the importance of close relationships with people.
Our next two and a half days were spent at the home of Ana's parents. Throughout the day at the coast there was frequent mention of a massive fish being prepared by her parents for our arrival. There had been much concern and debate over the best method of preparation. The type of talk again that warms the heart of the visitor to know that there is excitement and preparations being made. Sadly we arrived too late the first evening to sup upon the beastly mastadon (huge fish) but the next day our bellies were filled with it. Never in our time there were we allowed to go hungry and most that we ate was either made or grown by the fam. Ana and her parents allowed us to feel so comfortable and welcome there. There was a geniune and undisguised interest in our lives and our families. I am always amazed at the gift of God that I can have met such people on this journey. I only hope that in the future I will be able to replicate such a welcoming environment in my own home. After nearly a week of travel this was the refreshing time that I know I needed and received. I hope the number of days is short between now and my return to my new friends.
I will have to continue these musings later but don't want to forget this. The drive from coast to Ana's house by misty night is one that I shall not forget. The exceptionally winding roads and the forcefulness with which Andy was clutching the dashboard was intense. I never could see the major bends in the road until just before impact and each time the lives of at least two or three people seemed to flash before Andy's eyes. When he wasn't clutching the dashboard he held my burek (Slovene fast food that we procured along the way) with such intensity that the thing was more like soup on arrival at her parent's house. I am lucky that I seldom panic and Ana is lucky that she could seldom see out the window. Andy on the other hand got the full story, poor chap, but survived without soiling himself and for that I and my passenger seat are pleased. I had tried for sometime to hold on to the burek and munch upon it but the thing was a bit more than greasy and so my hands were skating on rather than gripping the steering wheel. I had to drape a person sized napkin on the steering wheel just to be able to hold it adequately so Andy was given the job of clutching the burek. It was inedible on arrival in its soup state but I guess better than me holding it and my greasy paws resulting in death or dismemberment. Didn't want to leave this part out but as I said I have more to add and will do so shortly.