It started with a banner. It was one of many flying in a row, attached to a stone wall and someone's home in a small perched town in Croatia. The moment I saw the rows of banners in polka dots, gingham check, and a 1950 style flower motif, I knew in a flash that whoever had hung them outside their home could be my friend. Those whimsical banners cheered: Hello! I saw joy flying overhead.
I had to take a photo of those banners, I wanted to show Ulla and you that Americana style decor is also Croatian style…well at least on this cobble stoned street. But as luck and soon to be destiny would have it, my camera's battery was dead. I made a note to myself to return to take a photo later that evening.
The light had softened when I returned up the 1100 steps, though the magical energy was stronger. Underneath the banners old stones where stacked, behind the stacked stones weather worn painted shutters where placed added texture to the stone walls, and plants loving tended where in a collection of rusty enamelware pots.
I thought does my mother or someone with her artistic garden flare live here? My curiosity was uncontrollable I had to know who this person was who seemed to be my lost sister or someone close to a sister I never had.
Around the corner I spied someone bent over pulling weeds that grew between the cobbled stones. I thought to myself now there is a person with passion. Because who would pull weeds on the "street" just for the fun of it? Weeds that will return in a day or two, weeds that nobody notices that are there or that she is pulling. She is pulling weeds out of her desire to beautify the cobble street. Passionate people are what make the world go round with flare and vitality.
The windows and door to her home were open… The naughty child in me could not resist to look inside, it was all I could do not to go inside and sit at her table. Instead I stole a few interior shots! The adult that I am was nervous, but the inner naughty child of me was bubbling over I stole a few shots.
Before heading up the hill to meet French Husband at the restaurant were we had planned to meet, I said to the lady of the house… "Hello? You have a lovely place, your banners are so friendly."
Olja returned her greeting in perfect english, "Thank you."
The key was the banner, the door opened with English and the rest that followed… a dream out of a fairytale.
Of course I will tell you more, but tell me have you ever seen someone and knew in a flash that you were going to be their friend? The beautiful deep reality in a moment of time. Synchronicity, the unfolding of casual events that challenges you to embrace the moment knowing it was made ready for you.
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