Monday May 21, 2012 Visit to Vinkovci.  The five hour drive to Vinkovci was uneventful and this time we found the Hotel quite easily.   It’s name The Lady M – which delighted me, of course.  It turned out to be the most modern and spacious hotel we stayed in, as well as the most inexpensive.   Of note for the trip is that generally accommodations and food are quite reasonable.  Housing has been very, very clean and comfortable – usually without internet access.   Food is of high quality, generally not processed, except for inclusion of white flour and sugar (used sparsely), locally grown, and prepared on site.   

Our stop in Vinkovci was to visit Peggy’s friend Drago, who she has known since 1975.   He met us at the hotel and insisted that instead of going out to dinner, we were all going to his home, where he had prepared food and drinks for us.  Drago, a middle school gym teacher, proudly showed us the home he bought three years ago and is remodeling inside an out.  His place is beautiful, warm and welcoming, and his traditional Croatian welcome of a toast with Slivovica  added to the warmth.  (See photos) 

The evening was a relaxed one, as we gathered around Drago’s dining room table exchanging stories; asking and answering questions; comparing retirement plans of our two countries; drinking juice (from a berry no one recognized)  wine and homemade slivovicas; and most importantly eating and eating and eating.   Drago treated us to his homemade sausage, fresh vegetables, cheese, and bread.  We talked and ate and talked and ate some more.  It was a great evening and Drago and I both felt we knew each other from somewhere – another one of those where did this come from déjà vu meetings – perhaps simply an instantaneous connection of two human linked genetically by ethnicity.    

During the evening, Drago’s niece and daughter, both also friends of Peggy’s called to see it we had arrived.   The evening passed quickly and at 10 p.m., we knew we had to return to the Lady M Hotel, Dragan had to teach in the morning.  (He rides to work on a bike that Peggy gave him 20 years ago, which is still in perfect condition) and we had to leave for the airport after breakfast.   

Drago graciously guided us back to our hotel and after thanks and hugs and good-byes we parted having made another new and wonderful friend in  Croatia.