Yugoslavia 101

ON Monday morning we were treated to eggs for breakfast, and then set out first to the bank, who would not accept a $100 bill as it had been ripped and stuck back together. Then we found a very efficient Tourist Info lady who we sat down and questioned more about the political situation. She had lived in Italy, studied in Germany and England, and she too told us about the 6 republics of Yugoslavia and 2 provinces. SO you get 8 people running the country with no permanent president. She reiterated that the Serbs hate the Croats, and she gave us a short potted history. (Excuse me if this is incorrect it is just what we were told).

Yugoslavia was divided between Germany, Turkey and others and Macedonia was conquered by several different people. At one point a Serbia Tsar and another king. Then the war followed by Tito. I asked if he was good or bad, she said that the two good thins he had done were to keep Yugoslavia from becoming part of the Russian Eastern Block, and for preventing a civil war after WWII, as there were lots of vengeful feelings against the Yugoslavs who had collaborated with Hitler. So she said Tito had an iron fist, but it was necessary. There were 22 million in the country and only 2 million Communists, so under Tito the minority ruled.When he died the nations regional identities surfaced and she said, every one if free to do everything, but it is just as bad as when they could do nothing,as there is no control. The markets are flooded with products that are not in demand, and there are no restrictions as to what can be produced or sold. In some places salaries simply are not payed. Last month the pensioners did not get their pensions. There are also a large number of foreigners in Yugoslavia, including Gypsies, who she thinks come from India. Most Yugoslavs are adamant about not joining the Russian Block and are very patriotic. In this area there are Orthodox Christians and Muslims, and the Eastern influence can be felt. In the North the people have a milder temperament like the Germans, the Northerners also have more Catholics.

So having sat through Yugoslavian political History 101, we crossed over the river to the Turkish Old City in search of lunch.