neighbourly behaviour

Who knew that Colonel Gadafi’s wife was Bosnian? - a little known fact, which possibly won’t appear in a trivial pursuit game.

The news in the local paper (kronika) is that Sofija Farcas Gadafi has been negotiating to buy what was a hotel in the coastal resort of Igrane. For those who have driven the coastal road, it’s the town that has the beautifully balanced and tiered church steeple, you know, the one on the sea side of the road. The sale hasn’t been concluded yet, because like a lot of land here, there are multiple owners all of whom have to consent to the sale, and need to sign the requisite papers. An interesting neighbour to have though, don’t you think? I’m thinking pot-luck dinners, popping over to borrow a cup of milk, and swapping recipes over the fence…

Not exactly a beautiful building but anything along the coast here is bound to be sought after for its location.

More and more land sales are being directed at the overseas market, and new apartments are being designed with the overseas buyer’s style in mind –less blue and orange tiled bathrooms and more of the minimalistic approach.

I’d still want the wooden shutters (I love the wooden shutters!) and the thick soundproof (almost) walls. A bit of lawn would be nice though… they don't really do lawns here, and if you lucky to have one at your place, it doesn't get mown. Any lawns in town (like the one near the Tudeman statue) has clear signs - no children, dogs, balls... decoration only!

Maybe Mrs Gadafi is going to do a quick re-paint and open the place up as a hotel again – who knows. I’m not sure how secure her husband’s job is at the moment and the market for second-hand dictators isn’t huge - maybe they are considering their options, and a second income could be handy.

For those who are employed in the tourist industry as room maids, waitresses, those who peddle sun chairs and sun-umbrellas, their employment will now have come to an end – perhaps another week or so in it, and then just a few staff will be retained for the winter months in hotels. All of the cafes and restaurants in the market area on the beach (including the souvenir shops and the clothes/ handbags shops), will pull down the roller doors and roll out of town from whence they came. Clothes and bags cheap from Italy, staff from Zagreb, a working holiday in Makarska. Priceless.

PS I'm off to Sarajevo for a few days... will report back x