We stopped at a local museum and saw artifacts of our culture dating back 2000 years! Apparently, our island has been occupied by the Greeks, the Romans, the Italians and for a short time, Austria-Hungry. Now the diversity of our culture is mount together. We were able to choose to take a piece of the ruins from 2000 years ago with us. We saw the restaurant that the current princess of Monacco enjoys and many relics from years past.
After our museum stop, we enjoyed a glass of water on the riva as it was around 80 degrees but somewhat humid. We rested before heading to a very small, abandoned town in the city of Komiza called Okljucina where my Mother's Mother's home remains. The home my mother's family and her two aunt's families shared a two bedroom home prior to leaving during WW2.
This tiny abandoned town still has the remains of around 6 homes, the local church and the old school house. You can still see what use to be numerous vineyards from which they made their income. There is a story that my Mother walked this distance from her home in Komiza, approximately 6 miles away at 4 years of age to see her grandmother.
When we finally arrived there were so many mulberry trees and Mira picked and picked and picked them. You'll see that they are very juicy and very messy but so good!
As we entered up to the house with my two new found cousins, I see that Veljko pulled out a plastic bag of keys. He went on to pull out this amazing skeleton key that fit right into the door!!! I was stunned. I had no idea that we were going into the house. This was a first for cousin Mira and myself.
As we walk in, the first thing I saw was my mothers high school graduation picture still hanging right next to a mirror as it must have hung for the last 60 years. I am stunned and have chills. You can see in my face how thrilled I am. I went on to see this beautiful mahogany like furniture, still in it's resting space from years ago as well as a blanket exactly like my mother has now in San Pedro. I remember that these blankets had come from the military who helped them during the war. This is a lot to take in. In the front room of the 2 bedroom house was an armoir of the same mahogany color. I opened it to find a familiar photo. A photo of my mom's sister, Teta Smiljas wedding. My Mother was a bridesmaid and must have been around 14 years old! Such a mix of old and new worlds.
You will see further in the pictures, the church that still stands and the refurbished school which has recently been bought by a German man and is now for sale. $1.5 million if you are interested!
I can't wait to sit and go through all of these details with my Mom. What an important trip. I am so fortunate to have shared this with my young boys who really seemed to grasp it all.
Such a lucky girl ~
