The photograph seen above was taken almost 100 years ago. In 1945 JNA/Yugoslav People’s Army units disembarked on the waterfront of Mošćenikča Draga. Heavy military equipment may have run into this now phantom bridge which like Yugoslavia, doesn’t exist today. However an intriguing linguistic connection to Mošćenikča Draga and Moščeniče is possible. In his 2012Continue reading “stari i novi”
Author Archives: marielscatena
Noni se smiješi
Grandmothers are important for so many reasons. Their place in our memories is steeped in family dynamics and the stories we tell about our childhoods. They are anchors to the past. People lucky enough to have a Croatian or Croatian-American grandma often say their baka or Nonna was the best cook in the world, butContinue reading “Noni se smiješi”
Vital Signs: Lošinj, Lastovo, Lokrum
Lošinj, Lastovo, Lokrum. From their distinctive geographies and climates to their relaxed atmospheres islands are historically known as restorative places where nothing much changes except the seasons. Many years ago Lošinj was dubbed ‘Island of Vitality’ for the healing properties of its pine, sea and herbal scented air. Located 2 kilometers from the port townContinue reading “Vital Signs: Lošinj, Lastovo, Lokrum”
Green Belts Shelter
A mature oak tree has from 100,000 to 250,000 leaves in any given year. During their lives leaves diligently convert sunlight into sugars, filter carbon and oxygenate air while sending nutrients to branches and trunks down into the earth—which is then made cooler and stronger. At the end of their lifespan they enrich and createContinue reading “Green Belts Shelter”
Family
This photograph of twins Vera and Paolo Eledda was taken in 1956. They are my first cousins once removed–the children of my great aunt, Darinka Martinčić Eledda. Since shortly after World War II they lived in Sardinia. I never met them but we recently corresponded. Relatives who are from the same branch of the MartinčićContinue reading “Family”
A Deeper Knowing
People who move around the world for pleasure, to participate in an event, to relax in a pretty setting or to visit family don’t usually think about making a distinction between travel and tourism. Most definitions of tourism describe an experience of going to a place for vacation to relax and have fun for specificContinue reading “A Deeper Knowing”
In Real Time
The internet is a place and a destination. During coronavirus lockdowns, image-laden websites fed armchair travelers’ wanderlust. With a few clicks potential travelers experienced interweb versions of a places they weren’t able to visit in person. Many of us developed favorite travel sites authored by insider, outsider and in-between (digital nomad) bloggers who endorsed attractionsContinue reading “In Real Time”
Winter Sun
Croatia enjoys almost 300 days of sunshine each year. During the summer months tourism thrives as people flock to idyllic beaches. Last year the coronavirus pandemic slowed tourism but photographer and journalist Darko Bandic’s August 2021 AP article tells another story. Bandic quotes Dubrovnik (Croatia’s most popular destination) tour guide Josip Crnčević “…it’s almost likeContinue reading “Winter Sun”
Hiking Changes Everything
Sometimes you get exactly what you need even if it doesn’t seem like it at the time. That is one of Nikola Horvat-Tesla’s core narratives. Nikola ‘Tesla’ is a long distance or thru-hiking veteran. He creates films and videos telling stories that describe and advocate for thru-hiking in the US and Croatia. In his award-winning,Continue reading “Hiking Changes Everything”
Paradise Found
Postcards from Dalmatia was filmed in the former Yugoslavia between 1958 and 1960 to promote tourism along the coasts of what are now Croatia and Montenegro. Postcards was created in cooperation with the Yugoslav National Tourist Board (then located in London) as part of a BBC Passport series. Today AR and IMAX make it hardContinue reading “Paradise Found”
From the same tree 