Dateline Milna, 7-17-09

We lead a simple life in the village -- a life that gets still simpler
as the heat climbs and the tourists increase.

We find ourselves going to the Riva (waterfront) less often. We eat
meals of cereal, rice and pasta, salads, fruit. in the cooler mornings,
we enjoy a coffee on our patio, then may work around the house and yard,
or go for a walk. Afternoons during the heat, we spend inside with the
shutters closed against the sun and the floor fan oscillating. We read
or work on the computer or play dominoes. Around 4 or 5 p.m., while it
is still hot, Julia goes to the village's pricey new 'cyber shop and
barber shop.' I am usually clever enough to grab a nap then, if I
haven't already done so several times earlier.

In the evening, we may stroll the Riva and get a gelato from Burim, the
Macedonian, visit neighbors, go for a short walk.
The fan was on all night last night.

Julia of course works long, hot, irregular hours on her Subud job.

We have no car at this point, so we are restricted to a couple of
kilometer radius around the village. Luckily, there are other villages,
coves, churches, and paths within that radius. And of course there is
always the village to explore.

I can rent a scooter at the marina. Did so with Brandon, will do so
again. Slavko gives us a ride to the bigger village, Supetar, if we
need it.

I have postponed looking at the bigger jobs that I have to do -
especially our Bosnian roof with its many leaks - choosing instead jobs
that are easily and quickly done - painting walls, furniture, weeding
the garden . . .

Within a week things will change. On Monday, Mate - a policeman during
the war and the man who took us into the mountains to find the 100 year
old gusle player two years ago - will catch the high-speed catamaran to
Milna and see if he can get Bella Bijela running and registered. (If
not, I will attempt to sell her in situ.)

In exactly one week, Almir and Zana will arrive from Sarajevo to
vacation with us. (Zana is quiet but Almir always needs excitement.)

In a little over two weeks, Julia will head back to the States and I
will be alone. Except that Almir will expect me to immediately go to
Sarajevo for their annual film festival.

So we enjoy the simple life while we can.