Call me Ordinary

I have 10 days of 10 weeks left of my journey. There is a pattern to the travel.

Two days this week, I stepped off the bus not knowing where I would sleep that night. One was at Plitvice National Park. I knew the bus would drop me, not outside a town, but at the entrance to the Park. I was correct. I was at the forest edge.

Plan was to walk to one of the Park lodges. Very expensive but maybe they could help... I did not even get that far. There stood a Croatian retired married couple who said they had a room. Very clean, very close. 10 minute walk to the village Mukinje. There was something about them I trusted. We took to one another. I did ask the price and it was very reasonable compared to the Park lodges.


Luck paid off. It was the most clean, private, safe, and spacious room thus far. Bathroom was luxurious and it was mine! It was also a room with a view. I looked out my elevated window to behold stars and forest. They rented out two rooms in their own home (apartment) and had a door separating the two areas. I was the only renter for two nights. Oh safe haven! 

Very sweet people. She taught me something, saying, "you are normal. this is good. you are normal person."

The word may not sound complimentary, but when traveling like this, normal, ordinary, average is really a compliment. It translates to trustworthy. And I will take that word any day of the week!


Two years ago, their very first renter was from Colorado. The prize this summer for the millionth visitor to Plitvice National Park was a 10-day all expense paid trip to Yellowstone. They were delighted at the serendipity and I was a small celebrity. For the first time in ten weeks, my accommodation and stay wears the word, lovely...