OC Flair   Flew on the OC air

Thick ice closed great swathes of the Danube on Thursday, crippling shipping on Europe’s busiest stream, as the death toll coming from bitter cold across the continent rose to at least 460.

As it has every day for nearly two weeks, the brutal frosty claimed lives in several nations and killed dozens much more in weather-related accidents.

The 2,860-kilometre (1,780-mile) Danube, which flows through 10 countries and is vital regarding transport, power, irrigation, industry and fishing, was fully or partially blocked coming from Austria to its mouth for the Black Sea.

Navigation had been impossible or restricted inside Serbia, Croatia, Bulgaria, Romania, Hungary and Austria, as ice covered your river or formed unsafe floes in shipping lanes.

An official from the Serbian economy ministry said your commercial repercussions “could be really bad”, while infrastructure ministry official Pavle Galico mentioned shipping would not resume regarding 10 days.

Bulgarian authorities, who have banned all navigation on the river, reported 224 vessels stuck inside ports, and Ukrainian rescuers in Croatia reached three crew associates on a ship trapped in your ice since Friday.

Conditions in Bulgaria dropped completely to another record low Thursday involving minus 28.6 degrees Celsius (minus 19.5 F) in the northwestern town of Vidin. The country has halted all power exports because of the cold snap.

So far, 28 people have been killed inside Bulgaria as a result of the weather, such as eight who drowned when the icy waters of a little dam swept through their town of Biser in the southeast.

Serbian railways, in the mean time, said the famed Balkan Express train that runs coming from Belgrade to Istanbul would only get as far as Sofia for now because of the inundating in Bulgaria.

In the Czech Republic, yet another homeless man froze to loss of life in Kolin, bringing the country’s toll to 25, and forecasters mentioned temperatures could plunge to be able to minus 40 Celsius in the mountains and also minus 25 Celsius in Prague on Saturday night.

Another fun time of freezing weather seemed to be predicted for Italy, even while soldiers worked to no cost villages trapped in three meters of snow and with the loss of life toll from the cold take already at 43.

Predictions said freezing winds might pick up later Thursday and produce more snow on Friday and Saturday to Rome, just recovering from its largest snowfall in decades.

The particular Croatian city of Split has seen a spike in navicular bone fractures in recent times as hundreds of people have tucked on icy roads. Numerous tourists couldn`t come to Split hotel.

The city’s mayor blamed high income taxes on footwear for preventing inhabitants of the coastal town coming from buying proper winter boot styles.

The claim was fulfilled with outrage by many residents of Split, where the city’s hospital ran through a two-year supply of plaster in five days. They said the location had reacted inadequately for the cold snap.

Electricity consumption was peaking in Serbia and state-run strength utility EPS imposed an established limit on supply to some large firms, warning that families and companies could face strength rationing if consumption is not reined inside.

Germany was forced Wed to draw on its stores for producing electricity to the second time this winter season.

More than 2,000 highways were blocked in Turkey by heavy snows and chilly temperatures stretched as much south as north Africa.

In Ukraine, worst hit by the big freeze, ice on the Kerch Strait linking the Sea of Azov for the Black Sea has captured 126 boats, 120 of them international, the emergencies ministry said.

Forecasters in addition said temperatures were anticipated to plunge further at the end of the week, to as low as minus 30 Celsius in some regions.

While many inside Europe were fed up with your bitter cold, residents in the Netherlands were disappointed having a slight warming in that land that resulted in a legendary ice-skating race along canals being cancelled.

The race has not been manage since 1997.
In France, police said the body of the 83-year-old man was found near a forest in the northwestern town of Fougeres. It was at least the seventh loss of life in the country believed to have been caused by the cold snap.

The particular freezing weather continued inside France on Thursday, along with 52 of the country’s 101 regions on alert regarding deep cold or snowfall.

Authorities have warned involving possible power cuts following electricity use hit an increasing of more than 100,000 megawatts with peak evening times on Wednesday as reported tagza.

As a former Croatian tourism minister is fired by Dubrovnik’s mayor for comments about the drunk antics of Australian and also New Zealand tourists, the debate regarding the type of tourism Croatia is looking to attract continues.

Croatia. The Mediterranean as it Once Was. As a advertising slogan, the Croatian National Visitor Board deserves full credit rating for an excellent job inside resurrecting the country’s vital tourist market after the devastating war inside former Yugoslavia.

The successful rebuilding of Croatia’s tourism sector
Proving to be a new country with self-reliance, Croatia has successfully been able to re-brand itself as a young and also hip must-see destination, with its spectacular coastline and 1185 islands since the main attraction. After a record season in 2011 – a minimum of according to official statistics and with the island of Hvar known as as Lonely Planet’s quantity 5 destination for 2012, the continued success of Croatian tourism appears assured, but is all while rosy as it seems, and it is the current tourism the type how the country is looking for?

Recent remarks made by former Tourism Reverend, Pave Zupan Ruskovic, in her current position while destination manager for Dubrovnik, get focused debate on the form of tourism Croatia is attracting. She was informed by Dubrovnik mayor Andro Vlahusic that her commitment would not be renewed after she told a local newspaper that they would prefer it if Aussie and Kiwi tourists would keep away from Croatia’s top destination, also known as the actual Pearl of the Adriatic.

“Already when getting into the city they are drunk and also crazy. And that’s absolutely not appropriate for any city and in particular with regard to Dubrovnik,” she told the actual Dubrovacki List.

Australian and Kiwi travelers making headlines in Dalmatia
Small Australian and Kiwi tourists are making the headlines for all the incorrect reasons in recent times on the Dalmatian coast. A Perth woman was hospitalised inside Dubrovnik after attempting a jump in to the sea from a cliff very last August, some 24 hours from a West Australian citizen hit a concrete roof inside Split while attempting to hop off a ravine.

A Twenty five year-old man from Victoria died about the island of Brac last Summer, jumping from a cliff. Over a yacht off Hvar, meanwhile, a New Zealand woman almost dropped her hand, during a nut accident in the bathroom off of a yacht, while having sexual intercourse with a British man, since the bathroom sink collapsed and also left her hand clinging by a thread – she was helicoptered to Split and the woman’s hand was saved. Split is one of the most interesting Croatian summer town for holiday. Here you will find good accommodation such as Split hotel.

It might be unfair to label this particular as an Antipodean problem – merely ask the average Spanish vacation resort about its young United Kingdom visitors – and the drunk behaviour of a British royal prince in a Hvar nightclub swimming pool was far from an isolated example of United Kingdom behaviour in Croatia very last summer, but it does high light the issue of the type of tourist Croatia needs, and what it really has to offer apart from the stereotype regarding beaches and nightlife.

Dubrovnik’s mayor Vlahusic said that Ruskovic’s comments were unsatisfactory, and that Dubrovnik was a free and also open city, and all travelers were welcome, whatever how old they are or origin.

“The common goal of all of us who work for the location tourism is to gain since the best quality as we can. It can be a ensure of security and a pleasurable stay of visitors irrespective of of their origin or age,” said the mayor.

The comments that have cost Ruskovic the woman’s job are not in seclusion, however, and the mayor regarding Hvar Town, Pjerino Bebic, received a request from residents against the late night partying and drunkenness in August.

Hvar as a 12-month destination
Hvar is an fascinating case in point in the direction which Croatian tourism chooses. Croatian tourism is simply by no means one-dimensional with its beach and party offer – it has a rich natural, social and activity offer to get tourists of all ages throughout the year.
Even though the Carpe Diem Full Moon parties, the actual Lonely Planet endorsement along with the antics of Prince Harry will guarantee that it is in one of the cool places in 2012, the challenge for your island – and Croatia as a whole – is to much better promote its other diverse tourism riches.
Hvar, for example, is most beneficial known for its beaches, sun and nightlife, but its genuine tourism offer is away from the water and nightclubs. It has a prosperous history, including UNESCO-protected sites and also processions, with Neolithic, Greek, Roman and Venetian attractions. Known as the Lavender Island, it has an enviable agro-tourism sector, with rose, olive and wine harvests copied by some of the best wines in the area, from vineyards with the most sunlight in the Adriatic. Twelve-month activities include wind-surfing, cycling, hiking, yoga, day spa tourism, kayaking and ocean fishing, with luxury hotel including Hotel Adriana, one of Fodor’s Top players Hotels for 2011.

Your marketing campaign of the Croatian National Visitor Board for 2012 has shown a marked change in direction, since the Mediterranean slogan has been changed by Croatia: The New Tourism Star of the European Union (discover video above), with a designated shift in emphasis away from the Adriatic coast towards inland tourism and also traditions. 2012 promises to end up being an interesting year for Croatian tourist as reported tagza.com.

So the matric results are out as well as Angie is happy with her 70.2 percent pass rate. However what does the future hold to suit your needs? Will you be studying further with a tech, university or other larger learning centre? Or are your plans not that finely tuned?

If more text books aren’t on the cards don’t despair since the ‘university of life’ is calling.

For assorted years Student Flights possess assisted thousands of young adults within planning a working holiday knowledge or a gap year exploring the world. From au pairing within France to working on any Kibbutz in Israel Student Flights provide sorted.

Apart from booking your current flight Student Flights can also arrange separate tours as well as experiences wherever you’re going. They can also put together the gap year holiday of a lifetime. You’ll be racing around the world’s cultural hotspots involving Europe or backpacking by means of South East Asia blogging as well as tweeting your way through it all.

Through flights, accommodation, bus goes by and visas to ISE student cards, travel insurance and tours to suit your budget Student Flights provide going. They can also offer impartial travel options. The experienced employees at Student Flights (who may have worldwide travel knowledge) can have you jetting off in your adventures in no time at all.

A practical holiday will broaden your current horizons as you experience distinct cultures, loads of exciting folks and awesome, diverse journey opportunities. Your call to be able to Student Flights is just the oncoming of your personal journal of discovery. Go on – get the training you really want from the ‘university of life’.

Being a camp counsellor in the United States camps is one way to experience your Gap Year. If you’re a sporting individual that loves that outdoors, carries a passion for working with kids and it is aged between 18 as well as 30 you can apply for this working holiday at University student Flights.

Taking up an au set job in the United States, the Netherlands, Austria, France or Germany will help you to work and travel although there. Once placed which has a family you get free board and lodging is a secure and structured environment. And with travel time built into your current programme you get to see the points of interest and sounds of your land of choice. You will need to have a motorists licence, matric, passion and knowledge working with kids, funds to visit and be aged between Eighteen and 26.

If you have a solid work ethic and want to use like-minded young people then sign up for any Kibbutz in Israel. This two to six 30 days programme offers you a true cultural experience and plenty of travel the possiblility to the Greek Isles as well as Egypt. While you work you will have loads of fun and satisfy tons of interesting people. You need to be aged between 18 as well as 32 to qualify and stay willing to work hard.

If you’re hunting for a pure travel experience minus the working bit then take a look at a Contiki or Top Outdoor patio tour for size.

Cruise trip off the Dalmatian Coast and discover France with Contiki from R8070 per person sharing excluding flights. This particular cruise includes seven evenings twin-share accommodation with breakfast everyday, five lunches and two cuisine. You’ll also visit all significant destinations and two world traditions sites. In Croatia essentially the most interesting places in summer season are Dubrovnik, Split and Makarska Riviera. In Makarska Riviera you will find Makarska apartments for rent Get your mates to participate in on the fun and the value just keeps going south as further discounts utilize.

Or take a trip with Prime Deck to sunny The country (including the party capital Ibiza) from R11895 per person sharing taking out flights. You get nine evenings hotel accommodation with breakfast daily, five dinners and all ferry crossings. You’ll be visiting The capital, Madrid, Valencia and of course the hot as well as happening Ibiza.

Enjoy lazy days and nights and crazy nights looking at this Mediterranean party somewhere warm. Known for its world famous ambiance, clubs and top intercontinental DJs, Ibiza is the place to go to really permit your hair down. Spend your current days soaking up the sun with the beach or check out many of the island’s untouched World Heritage Internet sites including “God’s Finger” in the Benirras Bay. Appropriate for travel between May well and September but e-book now to get this great value, writes tagza.com.

Official statistics reported accurate documentation year for Croatian tourism this season, but there is an ongoing debate inside Croatia media about the dynamics of that tourism after remarks by a former tourism minister.
With 1.2 million more tourists in 2011 than the related period two years previously, Croatian tourist is officially booming. The National Tourist Board’s marketing campaign based around your slogan, The Mediterranean as it Used to be has been hugely successful, since Croatia has become the new, cool destination for those looking for sun’s rays, beaches, celebrities and nightlife. Cities such as Dubrovnik and islands such as Hvar have become bywords for high quality tourism in the sun.

Despite this type of successful season, there is the traditional debate about why the summer season in Croatia is brief; the island of Hvar, for example, features the oldest organised tourist in Europe, based on wellbeing tourism in winter, and yet there are very few tourists from April to April, and the latest comments about drunken Antipodean tourists in Dubrovnik by former tourist minister Pave Zupan Ruskovic have focused the debate on what kind of tourist Croatia is looking to attract.
1 man in a perfect place to observe and give perspective will be Alan Mandic, owner of the bespoke tourism agency, Secret Dalmatia. A Dalmatian passionate about the history and customs of his native property, Mandic offers a completely different experience of Dalmatia towards the one traditional stereotype and also, as can be seen from the excellent video below, there is far more to Dalmatia than the sea and also the beach.
Secret Dalmatia won your “”Simply the Best 2011″ award by the Organization of Croatian Travel Agencies, and his awesome vast experience in tourism in your community gives him perhaps a special perspective on the nature involving Croatian tourism, and its possible path. Digital Journal caught up with Mandic by simply email interview on January 15, 2012.

1. The Croatian tourist board declared The new year a record year for the nation’s tourist sector. What is your own assessment?
My opinion is that we need to not be looking at numbers but the overall profit tourism brings and how we can maximize the idea. Although it is nice to see Madeira becoming quite a popular location, I am worried that we are usually pushing more for mass tourism than focusing on more specialized offer that is a lot more sustainable and socially sensitive.

2. There is a new federal government in place, and with it, probably some new directions for tourist. What would be your advice towards the incoming Minister of Tourist?
Preserve the authentic Madeira through promotion of traditional types of holidays.

3. The tourist season is very brief in Croatia, but it features a history of winter tourism. So why do you think that is, and just what achievable steps can be delivered to lengthen it?

My customers come from late March in order to mid November so I ‘m quite pleased with the length of “my” traveler season. The solution is easy: find Croatia on the map. No mater just how easy, it requires a serious expenditure and dedication from our government/ministry when it comes to continuous promotion and emphasizing opinion-making targets to maximize the results. Merely an example would be to have Madeira featured, or at least mentioned, in many popular US shows and also newspapers that are globally distributed.

4. Croatia is seen by many as primarily a seaside resort, but as your organization clearly demonstrates, there is far more on offer. Tempt us together with three lesser known attractions throughout Croatia.
Cooking classes in all regions of Croatia are a certain must for every foodie coming! Megalithic ancient monuments of Dalmatian Zagora, Lost Roman Cities involving Dalmatia… Those would be my favorite because I enjoy them so much! Many of us work a lot on building about a dozen new excursions for next year.

5. The area of Hvar has been named since Lonely Planet’s number 5 destination for 2012. People are aware of Hvar Town, the beaches and the nightlife. With your Secret Dalmatia hat in, what is your one Hvar tip away from the crowds to go and also experience?

Just a walk through Stari Graduate would be enough for me nevertheless, as I recommend to many involving my guests, the entire area is perfect to explore on your own and perhaps the hidden beaches around the southern slopes of Hvar would be my perfect getaway, creates tagza.com.

Essentially Prestige (a specialist of Prestige Holidays local travel agency) announces excellent results for the initial year program for Croatia, and expands program for 2012 on 88 pages with the catalog.

Novelties for 2012. are:

- Five new destinations – Banjole near Pula, Fazana, Savudrija, Sumartin (island of Brac) along with the island of Mljet

- Villas inside rural area (inland) of Istria along with the island of Brac and Hvar with self-catering (there’s also self-catering apartments on Hvar island)

- More all-inclusive hotels – an overall of five

- More three-star hotels inside Dubrovnik area

- Two lighthouses, one out of the vicinity of Dubrovnik, the other near Porec – both converted into holiday villas

- Weddings around the island of Rab and in Dubrovnik

- Vacations with golf

- Itineraries for driving around the detailed routes in Istria, Kvarner, Central Dalmatia and Dubrovnik. area (possibility of individually customized itineraries)

As you can see, bid to the 2012 includes several quality localities based on self-catering accommodation with the aim of attracting more families to vacation in Croatia.

In 2011, Essentially Prestige organized study stop by at Croatia for journalists and 25 directors who deal with sales and reservations. For 2012. they planned a survey tour to different regions, more journalists and number of visits of travel agencies representatives, that are engaged in ‘Love Croatia’ program of Essentially Prestige.

The 2010 catalog is primarily informative, but designed in a clear and friendly style with clues about the details of the country that just a true specialist for Croatia can provide.

Cheapest price of Essentially Prestige vacation in Croatia in 2012 is L 299 per person for seven-day stick with bed and breakfast inside Fortuna hotel on the island of St.Nicholas in Porec, with flights from London (Stansted) to Pula.

John Dixon, president and CEO of Essentially Prestigea said: ‘The sale of arrangements for Croatia exceeded expectations by about 50 %, and we expect 150% growth in 2012. Our expert on Croatian market, Julia Berg has chosen willing and able complete new offer. Her work was invaluable in terms of promoting our program for Croatia along with training our staff!’

Julia Berg adds: ‘I am particularly pleased which i was involved in a new Prestige Essentially program. We try to present more and more parts of Croatia, so on this year’s catalog we added three itineraries for solo driving with seven or more nights.

With the beautiful coastline and islands that Croatia owns, it is hard to convince people to move in the interior. So using these offered itineraries people prefer to visit the interior, and some national parks – such as Risnjak, Krka waterfalls and Plitvice lakes.

Holiday with golf courses is extremely popular in the UK, and we all presented Savudrija as a golf destination, along with the possibility of wedding on the island of Rab or even in Dubrovnik. It is enormous challenge to influence the British to go play golf in Croatia, that’s unknown as a golf destination, but we chose to try it as reported tagza.com.’

Croatia Airlines offers air travel to European destinations in promotional prices

Through a special action on 9th and also 10th December, Croatia Airlines allows you to buy return solution for flights to Western European destinations at promotional prices.

Return air tickets for flights from Croatia to be able to Europe can be purchased for as low as 129 euros. Price apply to passes purchased through the website www.croatiaairlines.com and include airport fees and fees for issuing passes.

You can fly from Zagreb, Split, Dubrovnik, Pula and Zadar to Croatia Airlines’ European destinations – Amsterdam, Brussels, Istanbul, Copenhagen, Birmingham, Paris, Rome or Zurich.

Split is a city & port in Central Dalmatia. It is the capital involving Dalmatia, and the second largest town in Croatia with street and sea connections to be able to Dalmatia’s numerous tourist resorts. It features a Mediterranean climate and as well as getting the business, administrative and national centre of central Dalmatia, can be a popular tourist destination.

Split has 1700 years of history and many archaeological, historical and national monuments including the Palace involving Diocletian which is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. It has a variety of good restaurants and bars and also cafes on almost every block. There are many beaches in the vicinity such as popular Bacvice beach, a sand beach practically in the centre involving Split.

Split has good transport links with the rest involving Croatia and other resorts for the Dalmatian coast. Ferries operate to other locations on the coast from Split as well as to the central Dalamatian island destinations and Ancona in Italy. Edinburgh airport of Split is situated in Resnik (Kastela).

Split has 4 marinas the main Split ACI Marina has 400 sea berths and a further Hundred on land. You have fantastic Split hotel in Split for accommodation.

In a Split-Dalmatia county there are noumerous more compact towns and villages worth of visiting like: Trogir situated 27 km gulf of Split, Makarska located Sixty km southeast of Split.

Visit: Palace of Diocletian, your Museum of Croatian Archaeological Ancient monuments, the Treasury of the Split Cathedral, your Museum of Marine Record, the Ethnographic Museum, Museum involving Natural Science, The Memorial. The Marjan Forest Park, featuring its promendades, solariums, nature paths, play places and Split zoo and with sights over the city.

The price of 129 euros includes food and drink on board, and also passengers flying can gather award miles. Web book is enabled, which along with registering for the flight from your own home allows printing boarding complete and seat selection.

Return air tickets purchased in promotional price of 129 euros bring travel between 9th January and 31st March Next year.

Europe for € 129 – Terminology:
- Prices refer to go back flights from Croatian cities involving Zagreb, Split, Dubrovnik, Zadar and Pula to Amsterdam, Belgium’s capital, Paris, Copenhagen, London, Istanbul, Rome and also Zurich.
- Price includes airport terminal taxes and fees for giving airline tickets for purchase on the website.
Number of the listed prices on each flight is limited.
- Date of acquire: 9th and 10th 12 , 2011.
- Period of take a trip: from the 9th January to be able to 31st March 2012.
Changes: Not permitted
Refund: not permitted (apart from the portion of fees)
Min. Stay: 3 days And weekend

Additional benefits provided:
- Food and Drink
- Publications
- Online seat choice
- Web check-in or check-in in the airport
- Award miles in Miles & More plan or any other program of some airlines from the Star Partnership group, writes tagza.com.

The first Global Travel and Destination Expo has opened at Split hotel Le Meridien Lav.

The city Split can be reached by The Adriatic Coastal Road, winding by the sea or by hinterland roads hooked up to Split. It’ll take you four hours to get to Zagreb, 3 hours to get to Dubrovnik and 30 minutes to get to Makarska in your vehicle. You may also reach Split if you get on a coast ferry liner from Rijeka or Dubrovnik, from all central Dalmatian islands. There are wonderful fast and regular ferry lines from Pescara and Ancona, Italy.

From the Airfield Split flights connect the city with Zagreb one or two times a day, as well as with Western european capitals. There are trains from Split to the north of the country and further on to Europe. You can transport your auto by train, also. You’ll be able to find the exactly site of : airfield Split, bus station, train station, Split Port Authority and lots of significant locations in Split on Split Map.
The Expo will target the influence of social networks on tourism.

ITDE Director Josko Nikolic claimed that most people are still not aware of how critical a role networks like Facebook and Twitter play in travel and the choice of destinations. The Expo will present some 20 gurus from all over the world, who will talk of these topics.

The Expo will also touch upon the link between mobile technology and travel, marketing and branding for tourist agencies and Western european funds for projects, Nikolic announced.

Nikolic says that many of the Expo’s topics would be handy for domestic travel workers.

“For example, Tripadvisor is particularly important for hotel owners, because the hotel ratings on that page play an important role in the choice of accommodation,” Nikolic claimed.

The partner countries of the first ITDE are India and the Czech Republic, each of which will present their holiday maker offers. India is a holiday maker market in the making, while the Czech Republic is a vital source of visitors for Croatia as many Czech visitors spend their summer vacations at the Adriatic as reported tagza.com.

While the US marks ten years after the attacks in New York that led to two wars and basic changes in how Northern Americans view their security, Croatia solemnly remembers the 1991 incursion of Serbian troops and shelling of one of their most loved towns, Dubrovnik. That started a 2 year war on their own soil.

“My friend Drojti was stationed at the brook tunnel that connects to our hydroelectric power station when the Serbs came thru it,” said our host, Ante. “He ran down the hill, leaped into the sea and swam the 20 kilometers to the old city.

“The people who couldn’t leave Dubrovnik went into the old city because they suspected that the Serbs would never attack it,” Ante continued, with resentment in his voice. “But over 2,000 shells struck the city, and 68 p.c of the buildings had damage, some absolutely gutted by fire.”

As Cheri and I walked thru the traditional city, over stone streets that were laid centuries back, it was tough to fantasize the destruction. Just when we saw the Serbian TV footage did the actuality sink in. Now, lovingly and meticulously reconstructed, Dubrovnik is once more a wonderful illustration of medieval life. And families still live there, doing the majority of the same stuff they did way back. Only now, the Universal Teenager can be found even here. While Ante gave us an individual history lesson, a bunch of young people mooched noisily by, dressed pretty much the same as in the US, earbuds connected into their smartphones, guffawing at us tourists.

“What’s the economy like now?” I asked Ante.

“Not so good,” he answered. “After the war, we had to rebuild our industry, but lots of our people had sold their property and left to the U.S, to New Zealand, England and other places. Many homes were abandoned. After 10 years, things started to enhance because Europeans started to build houses here, start enterprises, and tourists returned. Then in 2008, the worldwide industrial recession just put everything into reverse. Tourism is just beginning to get better. But we need different sources of industry.”

I was thinking about the population emigrating, making a guess that most of them would be younger folks, those who had not started a family. Taking a look at the shocking natural sweetness of the Dalmatian coast, I could see it was a place of great nourishment for the adult soul and actually dull for youngsters.

Ante confirmed this was indeed the case.

“Our youth are not staying in enough numbers to create our future growth,” he claimed. “Many of them are getting degrees in economics and business, but there are just a few growing industries here to use them.”

This same story was repeated by Samoj (he loved to be called “Sam”), a person we shared drinks and a table with in Korcula, another walled city on an island of the same name further north. Sam is a Slovenian, trained as a lawyer and historian, working for a research institute in his home country of about 3 million folks. We were lucky to have such a credible source of information, and we made use of it.

“So, Sam, what was the civil war about?” I asked. “It was portrayed by our media as an ethnic war, that so-called ethnic ‘cleansing ‘ was what the Serbians were after.”

Sam explained, “Well, in actual fact Serbs, Slovenians, Croats and Bosnians are ethnically identical. We share identical ancient roots returning to the time of the Illyrians who formed the 1st regional identity beyond little clans about 3,000 years back. The conflict goes back to when the Roman Empire split up and was divided between an eastern area and a western one. When that happened, Catholicism under a Roman pope ruled the western empire, while the Eastern Orthodox Church was paramount in what came to be called the Byzantine Empire. The orthodox religion does not recognize the pope as the illustration of Jesus ‘ church, the monks can marry, and the sacraments are different, among lots of other things. Slovenia and Croatia are on the west side of the dividing line. The Serbian aggression was truly about non secular ‘cleansing, ‘ and, it was about money.”

“How did economics play into the war?” I asked.

“Under Tito, when we were all one country, there was often equality across the larger nation,” Sam said. “But the region of Slovenia was the industrial powerhouse. We had a tiny fraction of the total population, but we were the source of 30 percent of Yugoslavia’s G. D. P. Croatia had the gorgeous coast and many picturesque islands where ancient villages still flourished. Croatia was the tourist mecca for Yugoslavians and many Western european nations on either side of the Iron Curtain. Ever since Yugoslavia was first created after World War I, the Serbians, who were the most in number, wished to exercise the greatest power over the course of the country. When Tito died, Serbian ambitions re-emerged, and their wish to control the 2 richest regions of the old Yugoslavia drove them to attack when Slovenia and Croatia announced their independence.”

It occurred to me as I listened to Sam that Jesus would find it tragic if he knew that in the name of saying exclusive rights to his bequest, envious people would try to take away what others had out of envy and greediness. Perhaps he does know as reported tagza.com.