Marija Grbić, former president of the Association of Slovenians "Triglav" Banja Luka, is no longer with us, but the memories of that wonderful woman, the successful and long-standing president of the Association, remain.
In her honor, a hike was organized for the second time by the "Runolist" hiking section of the Association of Slovenians "Triglav" Banja Luka from Trapisti to Slatina.
In the early morning hours, July 4, we gathered in the parking lot in front of the "Marija Zvijezda" monastery. Although it was still quite fresh, twenty of us willing mountaineers listened to the appropriate speech by the president of the Association, Ivan Memon, and agreed on a plan of action. One group headed along the path through the forest towards Krčmarice, and the other smaller group, which had the task of cooking lunch for the mountaineers on the Lunić estate, goulash, drove to Slatina by car.
Unlike last year, the mountaineer's trail was somewhat longer and more demanding. We easily overcame the first climb, because it was not yet hot, and talking and laughing we reached the first rest stop at Krčmarice. Surrounded by the forest, with the chirping of birds, and a cat came to be petted, we refreshed ourselves and set off to the village of Malo Blaško. Our goal was the "Old Church" of the log cabin, a building under state protection, the most important cultural monument of this region. Soon we came out of the forest, started on the road and thus gave the sun the opportunity to follow us in its full glory, which was not very pleasant for us. Sweat soaked the T-shirt under the backpack, but it didn't bother us. Attention was focused on the gentle hills dotted with pastures, wheat fields, cultivated gardens and orchards, and in the middle of that natural beauty, old and new houses in bloom. Along the way, we picked various medicinal plants. At the last intersection, we saw a canopy with tables set up. An ideal place for a break. The hosts immediately invited us to sit down, rest with juice, water and brandy. With a pleasant conversation, we learned that we were on the border between Slatina, Šušnjari, Mali Blaško... After the break, we continued our journey through the forest again to the church-log cabin. On a hill, in a forest setting, surrounded by a cemetery, there is a small church built around 1745, made of wood, authentic in appearance, with a lowered wooden roof. It was renovated in 1984 together with a wooden, tall, architecturally interesting bell tower. The church is dedicated to the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Unfortunately, it was closed and we could not see the inside.
The road continued to Banja Slatina, through the spa's recreation park and a walk to the Lunić estate.
Tired of walking, eager to rest and refresh, we enter the yard of the Lunić family, enjoying the smell of blossoming linden trees. We were welcomed by the hosts and the team that prepared the food and set the tables. We rested in the shade of a linden tree, freshened up, and then had goulash for lunch, which was expertly prepared in a cauldron. The homely atmosphere and kindness of Dragica, Oksana, Mladen and Nastja’s test party made us feel comfortable and relaxed. Along with the soft sounds of a Slovenian song, I returned in my mind to another time, a time spent at another haystack, under a canopy of vines where I was greeted with the same warmth by my grandparents with potica and wine. Well, the memorial march has awakened another good memory, which is another reason that these gatherings should become a tradition. Cherishing the memory of dear people ennobles and inspires us.
Returning to the starting point was not difficult for me. Another seven kilometers from Slatina to Trapisti, we went along partially overgrown paths through the forest. A total of twenty kilometers of hiking, the body pleasantly tired, and the spirit refreshed by a well-spent day.
Olga Suvajac
