Folklore. Jugoslovenka. And a proof that women age better than men.

This is not a travel post.

But can be related.

In fact I should be studying...

Well...
I used to live in this country.

And this here was among the first music lessons at school.

Folklore and landscapes. 

One president. One country.

All for one and one for all.

That country changed into this.

And I managed to change my passport three times since than.

 Not only because it expired.

Or because there was no place in it for stamping.

Or because I moved to the country next to mine.

I did it mainly because our politicians could not agree on how this passports should look.

Not that anyone cared.

And up until recently we were not welcome anywhere without strict visa procedures that are always costing you money and nerves.

Not to mention your dignity.

And for someone like me, whose motto is 'I like to move it move it' and chit chat to random new people, that was like being in a prison.

Never mind.

Few days ago I stumbled upon one of my best friends,V, in a bus towards the former capital.

We had six long hours to chat, snooze, share music and remember highlights from the recent past times.

Until recently, V was  a member of a well known folklore crew.

Former state, Yugoslavia cherished its people and folklore and was always proud to present it anywhere.

It became a tradition.

Meaning, we kept cherishing folklore in the new country as well.

V did good with it.

Traveled half of the world with her crew.

She, and couple of her crew members, had a farewell concert recently.

Apparently these people retire young.

Not that V was providing income with this.

She is a psychiatrist. She will do well with all these vivid characters in our society.

Folklore was her hobby.

She got me a nice place and I managed to snap some nice photos even though my camera is crap and it was dark.

Hey V, apple of me eye!

Looking pretty baby, with a killer smile.

I have enjoyed that evening much. Farewell concerts are always the best because the group plays for fun. Orchestra is magnificent.

In the end they all play and sing.

Big smiles.

Guys showing off.

They present the games from Serbia, Bosnia, Montenegro, Macedonia, Croatia.

You can recognize the area by the music and clothing.

And these games are mostly about men flirting with women.

Or men showing off in front of women.

Women, singing and smiling. Flaunting their beauty.

In the old country all women were called simply - Jugoslovenka.

Yugoslav.

Reminds me of another folklore actually. 

And the biggest folk star ever.

Lepa Brena.

She made this video intended to glorify Yugoslavia, and its women.

Three men in this video were the most popular pop and rock (actually) singers of that time.

Take a look.
Follow this link. Original video will not load.

JUGOSLOVENKA VIDEO

This is how it sounds.

Where are you from, pretty girl
who gave you those blue eyes
who gave you the golden hair
who made you so passionate.

Where are you from, pretty girl

where did you grow, spring flower
did the sun warmed you up
since you dance so seductively.
Where are you from, pretty stranger
have you been stealing the sunshine
were you drinking wine with honey
when your kisses taste so sweet.

And she tells them in very simple words:

My eyes are Adriatic Sea

My hair is Panonian wheat

wistful is my Slaven soul

I am Yugoslavian.

I haven't heard this in ages.

They meet, all four, at her concert in Belgrade three years ago. At Combank Arena.
They all are different nationality.

And performed this song, even though they are not yugoslavs for quite some time now.

And look how the crowd reacted.
Just follow the link.

PROOF THAT WOMEN AGE BETTER

As you can see, that video proves women age better than men.

And aging gets better with wine.

So, I am gonna get some now,

cheers.

This one is called Let's love eachother.
Filmed in Dubrovnik.
All creme de la creme actors.
Long before Games of thrones.
And just before the old country split apart.
I like this song very much and it is my second favorite song that I sing at parties.
Let us love eachoter.
Such utopia.
And I do not like folk music.
But Lepa Brena I like.

She had 'I'm a slave for you' numera looooong before Britney Spears.

Folklore.
Nothing but flirting.
 Hehe.

My Dalmatia. Bella biondina. Providenca. Gustan.

What can I say.

I am a fool for the sea and the sun.

Salt in my hair.

Sea breeze that gives you chills when you get out of the water.

The smell of coconut sun spray.

Living close to Dalmatia helps me feed my sea addiction.

Maybe some of you will dare to say that four and half hours drive is not close enough.

Trust me.

It is.

  When Bosnia changes its landscape to Herzegovina, my mind becomes all bubbly.

Bosnia.

Herzegovina.

And when greens change into rocks and stones - this.

All the way to the coast.

Listen.

And just like that I enter so called Gustan state of mind.

Enjoying.

Me gusto...

Hehe.

Notice how he sings like a woman.

Croatia has a magnificent coastline.

I've been all places - from Dubrovnik to Split and lot of islands (Brac being most favorite).

Except the remote island of Vis.

If I have only few days of vacation - I go anywhere near Split.

It is the closest.

The best thing to do is to start early.

At 4:00 a.m.

Beautiful landscapes you pass by.

Sunrise over the mountains.

Busko lake on the way.

And time for coffee.

Hmmm, how I wish I was there now.

*In couple of days I will be, yeey!

And when you cross the Croatian border - the tradition is you start counting hills to the sea view.

I can recall these trips when I was a child.

Me, my brother and sister in the back of old Skoda.

Mum, counting things she forgot to bring.

Dad, stopping by all the historical and other sights.

Brother,  all over the car.

Sister, mostly car sick.

 And me - asking about this and that - why is this here, why it is not there, how much longer, are we there yet?

Mum saying 'will you just shut up for at least a minute?'

Brother and sister fighting in the car.

Dad talking about revolution, partisans, Tito's secret hide out.

And then - counting hills to the sea.

The first view you get to see is this one.

In between tiny cities of Makarska and Omis.

And just across the island of Brac.

Beautiful beaches with little pebbles and rocks.

Beautiful curves by the sea.

Villages Stanici , Mimice.

Brela village.

Famous for it clean water, greenery and little pebbles.

Makarska is the largest.

Long beach, nice paths to walk by the sea.

Breathing in the salty air.

And in the morning, coffee and magazine.

Feet in the sea.
Head under the green shade.
Just the way I like it.

When it gets really warm I like to take a walk.

* Nudists in the back. Croatia has many spots for nudists. Even entire camps in Istria.

On these walks - you get to meet people.

Usually someone you already know.

Friends.
In my case - family.
And friends.

Sometimes it feels like home, only by the sea.

You always have someone you know there.

I mean ALWAYS.

Like my favorite little persons admiring the sea view.

And what a view!



Then you head for coffee, lemonade and ice cream.

The city of Split is half and hour drive by the coast.

Split I just LOVE.
Old town especially.

You have everything there - bars, restaurants, summer theatre. 

There is just something so magical about these old cities by the sea.

Besides Split, I love the old town of Dubrovnik, Rovinj, Porec, Primosten, Trogir, Hvar.

Kotor in Montenegro.

Narrow streets, slippery streets and that smell of lavender and grilled fish.

This video was taken in one of those old cities in Croatia.

I love this song.

And his shoes!

Dalmatia holds that special place in my heart.

The smell of pines and sound of those little crickets.

And that silly language of theirs.

Instead of M they pronounce N.

And they tend to lose the vowels.

Dalmatian.....Proper...........English

Rojen = Rodjen = Born

Gustan= Svidja mi se= Like

Piva=Pjeva=Sing

Lipa=Lijepa=Beautiful

Pasi=Psi=Dogs

In Dalmatia, men are called either Roko or Stipe.

And they yell when they talk to each other.

And like any southern men, dalmatian men like to flirt with women tourists.

Galebari is a famous nickname for them.

In Makarska there even is a  statue down by the riva dedicated to galebar men.

Galeb = sea gull.

Chasing innocent tourists...

From Makarska I visit islands Brac or Hvar.

And it is always by Calypso.

On board you get one meal *fish they caught and some salad.
Last time we took Calypso ride to Brac the cook was singing all the way. Funny man.

I love sailing.
And mountain Velebit looks magnificent from the sea.

Zlatni rat beach at Brac.

Ajajajajaj...

This is soooo difficult.

The most difficult post to write.

I wish I was there now.

Maybe this will help, Providenca, my favorite dalmatian song.

Ajajajaaaj...

It did not help.

If I want a quiet vacation, last year that was, I rent an apartment in one of the villages near Omis.

Omis is a tiny city on the river Cetina.

And by the sea.

Close to Split.

19km.

Because of the river bed, here you have long sandy beach.

 

 

I still have a massive collection of seashells and driftwood I found there.

I turn them into wind chimes, boats, candle holders...

Yes, silly person I am.

When I choose a place to stay - the only thing that I care is having a few steps to the sea.
Like here.

By the sea I do not care about being in a fancy place with big TV.

I can sleep on a couch.

As long as the thing that farewells me to the land of dreams and greets me in the morning is the sound of waves.

This one was my far most favorite flat.

Very modest, but right on the beach, tiny cafe in the house next to it.

It was June, the beach was almost empty.

Just perfect.

  

 I liked sitting here at night, watching random boats passing by, listening the waves.

And this.

....Duran u inat...

Tedy's amazing instrumental.

My Dalmatia.

Where I feel like 'bella biondina'.
What can I say.
 Gustan.

................

Omis offers much to tourists.

Tiny old city.

Nice path to walk towards the old tower.

If you are an adrenalin junkie then you must come here.

Many reasons why.

Rafting on the river of Cetina.

Zip line.

Paragliding.

Hiking and spectacular views.

  

And if you are not up for any of these - go to Split.

From there you take a ferry to anywhere.

Italy, Greece.

Though I suggest you go to island Vis.

I will.