My grandparents were born in Croatia - planning a trip to Croatia
Hello, My name is Gaylene Mihalevich Billington and I am planning a trip to Croatia and was wondering if by chance you would put this information on your site. My grandparents were born and raised in the little village of Fuzine and came to the United States in 1908. My first trip to Croatia was in June 2000 and I can not even begin to tell anyone the feeling that went through me when we landed in Croatia for the first time. This is beautiful country and anyone who likes to travel and see different places then this is one that I would highly recommend.June 1, 2002 to June 15, 2002 - visiting the most beautiful and intersting regions of Croatia including: Zagreb, Opatija, Fuzine, Plitvice, Split, Dubrovnik and more! On June 1 we depart from our home airport, then rendezvous with fellow travelers for our transatlantic flight to Croatia. Currently I have 25 passengers and would love to have 40 for a full bus. If anyone wants to contact me they can by e-mail or phone: mihal@earthlink.net 828-256-8716. My father came from a family of 11 children - 8 boys and 3 girls. All the boys were born first and then the girls and the last little girl was stillborn. To have a family this size was not uncommon back then - but could you imagine now. Anyway, back in 1969 we ask our grandfather to write down all the information he could remember about his life from start to present - and at this time my grandfather was already 86 and lived another 3 years. And so, let me quote some of what my grandfather had to say about his wife: "As to the ccharacter and virtue of my wife, your grandmother, suffice it to say just this: "If there ever was an angel living in this world she was the only one that I know of. She was perfect in everything. Good wife and Mother, and good neighbor and friend with pure heart wishing well to everyone. Ane everyone that met her once respected her as never forgotten friend. And he goes on to say, while our children was all young and small your grandmothers health failed her and her condition was critical. Imagine my feelings fearing of losing her and me be left alone with house full of little children. So her ailment prompted me to seek help which only the Lord God can give. So I fervently prayed of him to spare her life at least until we raise the children and put them on their feet and sure enough God heard my prayers and no sooner than the children was all grown up and able to take care of themselves, she died. And this was the beginning of the end of my earthly life." Can you imagine this kind of love today. Over the years we have had many family reunions, but in 1999 when I was asked to go to Croatia my life changed forever because now I had the opportunity to walk the streets of my ancestors. After making the decision to go I ask the corridinator of the trip for a contact in Croatia that might help me find family. And now I am off and running - if you know what I mean. From the time I started my emailing back and forth with my contact and three weeks - I received and email that said, "BINGO" we found family. And now there is now end. I have wrote a letter about my experience and I would love to share this with anyone that might be interested. I look forward to hearing from you. Thank you for your time.Gaylene Mihalevich Billingtonmihal@earthlink.netdistributed by CROWN - www.croatianworld.net - CroWorldNet@aol.comNotice: This e-mail and the attachments are confidential information.If you are not the intended recipient of this e-mail, you are hereby notified that any dissemination, distribution or copying of this e-mail and the attachments is strictly prohibited and violators will be held to the fullest possible extent of any applicable laws governing electronic Privacy. If you have received this e-mail in error please immediately notify the sender by telephone or e-mail, and permanently delete this e-mail and any attachments.
