Oct 16 - Celje, Yugoslavia

Awoke, had breakfast, took my time leaving. The 64 km today took about five hours. When it comes to climbing mountains, these Yugoslavs are no hold's barred. They go straight up the damn things! I didn't think I was seeing straight when I was this 18% grade sign. But the road went straight up, and down, and up again, 10%, 12%, 14% for 20 miles. The steepest hills I ever laid eyes on. Got to Celje and my friend didn't get my postcard so she's not here. But I am enjoying the hospitality of her mother and aunt.

The Yugoslavs, the friendliest people I have met, have a custom of serving drinks to all their guests. So today I had 2 glasses of a syrup-like fire water that made my nose smoke. Had chicken, french fries, rice and coffee for dinner. The coffee is made by pouring finely ground coffee in sugared boiling water. The coffee cup holds about two shot's worth of this stuff. When you drink the coffee you actually eat it, the grinds being so small that they don't settle at the bottom.

My first impression of the Yugoslavian countryside, its people, cities, housing and farms, was the lack of beauty. The people are obviously poor. They dress poorly, are dirty and the houses reflect the people in them. The sad part, however, is that many improvements could be made, at little or no cost, to improved the looks of the houses, streets, roadsides, etc, but the people obviously don't care what it looks like.

It's a far difference from the neat and tidy Swedes and Danes, where flowers spring everywhere and even the poorer districts were repaired.

However poorly clothed and housed many Yugoslavs are, I want to emphasize that they are the friendliest and most cheerful people I have seen yet. More important than material possessions, Mostly important in this world is how we treat our brothers. These are helpful and friendly people to all.

One man I passed on bicycle kept talking to me so I said I was from the U.S. When I said America, he opened his eyes and stated in awe "America?" He kept repeating that word in reverence as to him it must be a far-off place. I guess it is to me too right now.

Mileage: Maribor to Celje 61 km

No Expenses!

Petrin Tea
Kajuhova 10
Celje