A Weekend by the Sea

So last weekend was probably one of the more memorable experiences of my life. Zoran, Sladan's brother, was getting married in a palace located somewhere in the Montenegrin fjord area. So Jeff, Max, and I woke up at the butt crack of dawn Saturday morning and went for a little drive. And I must say, it was unlike any car ride I've ever taken before. Unfortunately since my camera so conveniently decided to was going to run out of juice the morning we set off, I was unable to capture the spectacular sights and scenery of what was laid out before me...but there was one moment however that I just can't help but tell you about. Keep in mind I'll do it no justice, and you won't be able fully appreciate it unless you've seen it yourself (for a picture is even an unworthy imitation) ...but I sure will do my best ;]

It was a rather foggy day, which made for difficult, and somewhat frustrating sight-seeing. Many a time we came across a canyon or some wide open gorge area, and the air would be so dense that it prohibited any sort of clarity as to how impressively gorgeous the landscape was. It sucked. But then we finally caught a break. As we emerged from a rock tunnel that lead straight onto a blue, canyon connecting bridge, it was as if the world just opened up. You could see everything as you were crossing high above the river. High cliff-faces that hosted lush, colorful foliage. A thin layer of milky white fog that seemed to roll along in the breeze. And down below there ran a seemingly crystal blue river, with faint rapids and a winding path. Then it all disappeared again as we entered another rock tunnel just on the other side. I had to gasp. But in the same breath we unexpectedly popped out again and were driving on a road that ran clear on the edge of the cliff. For the next few kilometers, it was little spurts of rock tunnel and then wide open canyon view. It was literally amazing. Without doubt the coolest road I have ever been on. 

When we finally arrived to our destination Montenegro it just started pouring down sheets of rain...which was equipped with some of the loudest thunder and lightening I've ever heard. (which coincidentally blew chunks because I was going to have to wait outside during the wedding because there were limited invites...which I wouldn't have minded in the least except for now it seemed and though there was no avoiding being soaked in the only clothes I brought for the weekend haha...so I just prayed it would let up a bit) And since we were a few hours early, we decided to go look around some and see if we could find us a Kafic to get some caffeine in our systems. We didn't drive round long before we came to a quaint little place that appeared to be lit by candle light. It was strange, but we went in and sat down. Come to find the power had been blown out and the electricity wasn't working...hmm. Anywhoo it made for a little old-fashioned coffee and conversation by candle light. It was neat.

The rain did eventually let a up thankfully, and during the wedding I was able to relax out by the water, smoke my pipe and watch the boats go by as the storm slowly made its way off into the distance and the clouds began to clear around me. I truly felt beside myself as I slipped into a total awestruck sort of feeling. You know the kind you get when you realize there's no mistaking that you are right in the middle of the presence of God. Well if you've experienced that before you can just imagine what it was like sitting there. For there really is no describing it. You just gotta cejf the moment. (I'll try to explain cejf at a latter date...but for now just think "fully enjoy")

I was however invited in to the reception. To which I was introduced, to what I believe was my very first five course meal (with all the wine on the house)...Baby's first time!!! And I must say it was an ideal way to break a four-day fast...and really I just couldn't help but smile the entire time. There was so much happiness in the room. Weddings are such a joyful time indeed.

That night, after some fun confusion at the borders, prolonging our arrival time to Croatia, we finally made it back to the conference area where Beth, Liz, and Becky were attending a lil women's getaway on the coast. (They had left the conference, also driving down to Montenegro for the wedding, and then road back up with us to finish out the last remaining day) There weren't sleeping accommodations for us boys, so Jeff and Max both slept in their respective automobiles, leaving me to sleep on the beach ;D Unlike in America, where it's absurdly ridiculous and illegal to sleep on the beaches, here it was totally okay...which I was quite pumped about. So I made my way down to the seaside, finding that it was made up of little tiny pebbles instead of sand. "How odd," I thought, as I made a little nest to lay my blanket down and get some rest in. About an hour later I woke up to a scooter zooming by me and a confused looking man staring me down. I immediately felt the intense urge to poop, only to realize that there were no toilets around, and even if there had been, I would have had to pay for them =/ So after a bit of panicked searching, I made good use of a bush in a flower bed. Realizing that I was stuck with my pants down and no toilet paper, I was left with only one choice...cleaning myself in the sea =] After a bit of cold water on my butt I wasn't too sleepy anymore and decided to pass the time by taking a late night walk (which is always a swell idea). So, I climbed a tree and hid my blanket and pillow up in the tip top, and began to make my way down the coastline. It was one of those nights where you realize how awesome it would be to be homeless, only if you happened to be homeless in a place like this. Either way I had a smashing time skipping stones over waves and stargazing. Man were they bright and vibrant...mmm stars. After a while I made my way back to the "home base" and found a nifty bit of rock to sit on and watch the ensuing sunrise. As the daybreak got lighter and lighter I began to take notice how freaking blue and clear the water was. It's unreal how much different it is when you take sand out of the equation and substitute in rock instead. It was crazy. I just had to properly go swimming in it. It just looked so inviting, and I couldn't pass up that opportunity. So I stripped down to my long johns and joined an early-morning snorkeler for a sunrise swim. It was unbelievable cold. And after about 30 minutes I found that my time spent in the Adriatic to be sufficient enough. Needless to say I spent the next hour or so shivering and chattering my teeth down to nubs, but it was beyond worth it. Then we drove back to Bosnia and made it safely. God's good...

...holy cow what a weekend!

Grace and Peace,

Kaleb