The Journey's the Thing…

”Night and day” is the way to describe there and here. My bus ride from Bosnia to Split was uneventful and comfortable. The difference when we crossed the frontier was striking. Prosperous and well groomed Croatia is a long way from the rough and tumble Bosnian Wild West.

Tonight I dined well. ”Hobotnice salate”, Octopus salad, with fresh tomatoes, potatoes, garlic, parsley, olive oil and lemon juice. Then ”Škampi sa buzaru”–whole shrimp (head, claws and all) poached in a light and fresh tomato sauce with lots of bread to sop it all up. Amazing. After living on mixed grill, ?evapi, and cabbage salad for almost three months, I was in heaven.

I am now in a Cybercafe and the Gypsy Kings are on the stereo; there is a rock band playing Croatian blues on the seaside promenade and people of every culture strolling about in the mid-evening night; the cafes are full, the seaport is hopping and life is better than good.

I was able to get to a meeting tonight around 5:30 which filled my heart as I also saw a couple of old AA friends from here. Great feeling and joy.

I had a bizarre conversation with a priest last night. He claimed that The Pill was responsible for almost all the divorces in the US, the gradual feminizing of men, and the rise in homosexuality. It all has to do with changing body chemistry in women leading to enhanced pheromones and estrogen in the water supply. For some reason I started thinking of Colonel Ripper in ”Dr. Strangelove” with his obsession about bodily fluids and how fluoride in the water was a communist plot to undermine his natural essences. Crazy is as crazy does, as Gump would say.

On my way home never felt so good.

Johnnyboy

It is now 10:45AM here in Me?ugorje. Tomorrow morning at 7:30 I board the bus for the Croatian Coast. By this time tomorrow I will be pulling into the bus station in Split. What a relief to be back on the road!

The next day I fly to Budapest on Malev Airlines. There is an English speaking AA meeting that evening in Budapest that I will be attending, so I am looking forward to that.

My experience here has been amazing. There is so much to admire and be inspired by, but at the same time there is much to avoid and walk away from politely. It will take several weeks at home to process this information and be able to speak about it in an organized and linear fashion.

Last night I had dinner with my co-workers Janet and Joe. As I was raising my water glass for a toast, they bowed their heads in prayer. They blessed the food, and then prayed for me and my safety, and the well-being of my mother. I was so moved I almost cried. That is part of what I admire here–a quiet faith and benevolent devotion to their own Higher Power. All the tourist shops, the egos trying to control the scene, and the throngs of pilgrims all elbowing their way to-and-from church is a mere facade. Janet and Joe’s prayer reminded me of my own Higher Power and how it moves me to service and compassion.

I guess the above is part of the processing. More to come. I’ll update from Budapest.

Johnnyboy