Made It!

After a total of 24 hours of airport, air and drive time, I've finally made it to my home for the next 3 months. The little farming town of Velika Drenova, (sound it out and I promise you can get it, just don't forget to roll your R's!) will be my place of comfort and familiarity as it has been many times before. This is the town my mother was born and raised in. Population around 5,000 or so. My dad's town or city, Krusevac, is a quick 20 minute drive (that is if you don't get stuck behind a tractor towing hay with the wife sitting on top of the pile) from here. Population 150,000+ and has everything you could ever want or need.

So far the trip is going well. My oldest brother Bane, my sister-in-law Jelena (pronounced with a Y) and I met up in London and were on the last leg of the flight together. My mom's cousin and Jelena's grandpa waited for us at the airport in Belgrade and then we began our SLOW drive home. Between torrential downpours, tennis ball size hail, big city traffic and the older, but sweet diesel Mercedes van my uncle has (think delivery van) we made it home after 4 or so hours (normally 2.5). I spent my first day cleaning and organizing my mom's house where I will be staying most of the time. This home was built in the early 1900's, but we've done some renovations and it is pretty nice & up to date. There are two additional homes on this property which belong to my uncle (my mom's brother who lives in the south of France). I'll be getting these homes all cleaned up and ready for the arrival of my uncle and then my other brother, Misa, and then eventually my mom too. Overall, the property is beautiful, quiet and simply put fantastic. We have fruit trees, some grass trying to be a lawn and lots of flowers. There used to be a small vineyard in the front and a huge garden in the back when my grandparents were alive, but unfortunately there is nobody here to maintain them any longer, so they have since been taken out. It's definitely not the flourishing and lush property it once was, but with the help of family who live right next door we make it work and call it home.

I was going to post a couple of photos, but I just spent the last 10 minutes trying and it didn't so much work. Again, I love dial-up connections! Anyways, just wanted to let ya'll know that all is well and that I made it safe and sound. I think it may be nap time!