[In Germany I met a 23-year old female student who invited me to come visit her in Maribor, Yugsoslavia, and her sister's family in Ljubljana. It was not a large detour to come through the area, but I did not know that a visa was required. I entered the country with my bicycle in the back of a truck, and ended up in trouble when it came time to exit the country.Yugoslavia had separated from the Soviet bloc in 1961, establishing itself with the non-alligned movement. Dictator Josip Tito was in control in 1968, but the country was poor. The province of Slovenia, with the capital at Ljubljana, fronted Austria on the north and Italy on the West. As I travelled into Yugoslavia, the differences from Germany and Austria were striking. Diesel locomotives were replaced by steam locomotives. No power lines, billboards, or advertising of any kind was evident. Cars were rare, and people were poorly dressed in peasant clothing. Even the overhead electric lines were missing. No signs of industry could be seen in the country, only farming. The entire experience seemed like a return to the 1920s.]
Arose at the first light of day. Had strawberry jelly and the remainder of the bread. Started out of town. A guy in a car without signaling or looking stopped and suddenly pulled into a right-hand parking place, cutting into my path and I smashed into him. I hope it doesn't mess up the front wheel too much. I've had enough of spoke problems.
Picked up a ride with some truck drivers to the Yugoslavia border. Continued on through ten miles of no-man's land to Maribor. Arrived at 11 am. Went to the address I had but they weren't home. I asked next door and they invited me in to eat. The Zopancic's arrived. Went downtown with the husband. Watched TV, read Reader's Digest and talked all night.
Mileage: Graz to Maribor 30 km
Drink .25
Janeta Zupanic
Frankolovska 23
Maribor
