Wind to Croatians is like snow to Native Alaskans. There is not one name, but dozens each explaining a different type, and each with a different meaning.
"Jugo" is the warm, strong southeastern winds that blow in Croatia before the rain. It is also the wind that can make you grumpy and "not right in the mind." It can blow for weeks and reminds me of the winter Palmer Alaska winds that have blown over semi trucks, taken off car doors, and blown little one across the parking lot ice when she was little. In fact, in ancient Dubrovnik it was the law that if a criminal act was done while the jugo was blowing, they were not held accountable. It is the reason for many ailments, depression, and just not feeling right here in Dalmatia
It is essential to know that the "jugo" wind is very different from the "bura" wind a mighty, cold, northeastern wind that turned the Adriatic sea into large waves that took over the first floor of our place in Brac.
It is also different from the "propuh" or cross breeze in a house blamed for numerous ailments from kidney stones to inflammation of the brain and the reason you keep the windows closed and scarfs secured around your neck and I could go on.
The past few days the "jugo" has been blowing (and it is very noticeable when you live in a windmill). The seas have grown so large boats cannot travel and waves crash onto shore making the main square a wet slippery adventure. It may be making us all crazy but has also given me time to think about the winds of this adventure.
Tomorrow we meet a camera crew from a Croatian TV station. They are sending a reporter, cameraman and sound recorder to spend three days with us to "see what we do." They had heard about us because of the olive picking competition and asked if we would be willing to be a part of a TV show. They took the opportunity to set us up with a tour from the Hvar Winemakers association to share their secrets and teach us about chocolate making with Croatian herbs. We started to do a little research into the wine and herb history of the island and are beginning to wonder if the next two days will blow our minds like the Olive picking competition. The kindness and generosity of the Croatian people knows no bounds, and much like the winds of these islands have taken us by surprise.
And if we are a disaster for TV, now we can blame it on my new favorite term the "jugo."
The girls were loving the power of the storm. It has been interesting how close these towns were built to the water and how these storm surges flood the whole town. I wonder how much of this has been affected by rising seas. It is scary to think about on going global warming and what this would mean to these communities right along the sea front.
The Jugo had its way with the abandoned tourist stalls.