Palic 2005

Until now, I was only reading about Mensa gatherings in Palic in the bulletins. I have the feeling that I always used to think something like that was a sort of luxury for me, as being somewhere on vacation, not doing anything… huh! I live in a city so I am living in the urban groove, whether I like that or not.

Still, this year I was easily talked into visiting Palic and slowing down my lifestyle at least for a while. The first thing I did when I arrived, even before checking in, was a one-hour walk by the lake coast. I knew I needed some time to make a distance between my real life and this beautiful nature, if I wanted it to fill my soul entirely. The clouds above the Palic Lake appeared above me and twisted in the dancing moves. The smell of large fresh water surface and indistinct people in the distance gave away a virgin sight of the spot. I knew I was at the right place.

The entire stress, discomfort of the unknown people and mounted exhaustion all disappeared after a single loud sentence of a girl behind me – Who’s slicing the tomatoes? The nature was an overture, and this sentence was just a ticker for stepping onto the rug of good companionship and relaxation ahead of us. Our dear President Ljuba Kustudic noticed I was standing aside, so he gave me a few constructive tips on how to jump into a new crowd. He told me: “Now, just relax Slobo, everything’s gonna be easy now. You can do whatever you want, as much as you want”. And that’s how it was!

I knew that our guys would like something for additional relaxation, so I brought along several liters of rakija which my grandfather Milan made 26 years ago. I remember him telling me: “This, my son, is something special. The plumb trees never borne such abundant fruits like in that 1979, the branches were cracking”. I hope my Mensa buddies won’t crack like those branches back then. Luckily, a lot of people showed interest in this elixir, so I was easily accepted in the company. Through the taste of rakija, my grandpa spoke instead of me, and I spoke for him.

Later during the night, our host Duki approached me, saying that the guys were counting on me seriously for the stand and discussion on music the next day. I said I would accept anything. If we need to go to the Moon, we’re gonna go! We were in the state of perfect understanding of each other and constructive negotiating. The night fell. With our stomachs full, we could not stop laughing all night long. I remember Uros Petrovic running around us and asking each of us if anybody brought a shirt, tie and suit… He was asked to participate in the Contest for Miss Subotica, and since he didn’t want to go alone, he wanted badly somebody to accompany him. But I think he took it quite ok… Later that night, we met him in a yappy edition in the company of hot Miss contestants and other jury members. I knew our Uroš was the perfect man to represent our little company. After that, we dragged somehow to our rooms and fell asleep like the kittens.

Early next morning, our Mensa Mom Aleksandra Borovic embarked on the waking tour, room by room. I haven’t had this feeling since I served in the army. I don’t know about the others, but she had to wake me five times, reminding me of the music stand and discussion we were going to have that day. The hell with the debate, it felt great in the bed, I was thinking. But the smarter settle sooner, so I gave up and got up.

When we reached Eko Center in Palic where the stand and discussion were taking place, I noticed how everybody spoke in an unusually low voice, some didn’t speak at all, while the others were daydreaming and sleepwalking. The most crucial information at the moment was whether you can get a cup of coffee in the Center. Once again, we were back at the beginning. Many had to introduce themselves and meet for the second time. However, the entire event was quite serious, so everything was at the proper level. When we saw Kornelije Kovac, our lecturer at the stand, we realized that a new day, very rich in content and quite eventful, was about to begin.

The discussion was very relaxed. Through casual chat, we slid once again into the feeling of open silent dialogue, known so well to Mensans. The time in the discussion ran fast, but this is probably because I was following each word pronounced and participated actively in the discussion. The people said Palic saw better discussions, but since this was my first one, I was quite satisfied. Talking about music requires a special mood of relaxed and undisturbed contemplation.

The next thing on the agenda for that day was the visit to the zoo and lunch. We were all wondering how it looked like to eat in the zoo surrounded by the animals. Maybe the host and organizer, lacking the money or ideas, decided to serve some handicapped zebra or a tiny giraffe, or we were supposed to catch our own prey in there? As we were starving to death, we were prepared to do anything. However, our organizer Duki thought of everything carefully beforehand, so we had a great meal. Some shouted “More food! We want more!” but I myself had quite enough, even too much actually. The purpose of being there was to interact, and not to eat – one can eat alone at home, too. After the launch, we had a free afternoon. Taking a close look on my right and left and making sure that nobody would notice, I collected the remainders of food in a plastic bag and went to hang out with the animals. Those sweet creatures can really appreciate the human nature, especially if there’s some food involved as well…

I went straight to the cage with the monkeys and spent hours in their company. It’s a great feeling when a tiny hand from the cage picks the pieces of food from my palm. At a moment it occurred to me to ask myself which side of the cage I actually was. It felt sad, and yet so marvelous and divine. I left the zoo and moved on to the long walks at the lake countryside. The locals were cheerful and ready to answer all questions. Hardworking and good people.

The next event was the concert of our host Duki who immediately offered his own rakija viljamovka, probably inspired from the previous night experiences. So we all gathered instantly for another group hangout at the lakeside. The concert of Duki’s band was something completely beyond my wildest expectations. The music of the entire Balkans interpreted in the most original way. It was super cool! I remember wishing at that moment how I wanted everything to freeze. The people are the essence of our lives…

After that, once again we went to Subotica and spread all over the city. Sometimes we would bounce into each other and recognized in the young laughing crowd. We couldn’t afford to stay up all night since the next morning we were about to participate in the well-known Palic Olympics. We came back to our rooms and hit the sack, completely exhausted of the eventful day…

The next morning, due to the acquired reflex of the military wakeup of our Mensa Mom, I jumped up like a butterfly and with my roommate Aca we directed towards the Olympic spot. When we got there, we were caught in the joyful and cheering atmosphere. I was wondering in which discipline I could see myself competing. Luckily, the others decided that for me, and the next thing I know, I was being prepped for the rope pulling contest. Since I have never done that before, I needed some additional instructions. Ranko and Marko explained to me very loudly what I can, and what I cannot do. I listened to them carefully, and when the time came, I pulled the rope as strong as I could! But unfortunately, we came third in the finals. Some say it’s not important to win, but to participate. Seeing the disappointed faces around me, I was not so sure in that anymore. Anyhow, the Olympics were awesome! It would be good that every morning starts with such a thing.

The next scheduled event was a well deserved lunch at Majkin Salash, a beautiful countryside spot located on the sand dunes around Palic. Once again, some shouted “More food! We want more!” I settled with the sight of vine above us and the sun fighting its way through the clouds, and then through the vine, to set on our faces. Our people like to watch into the plates. I like the sky, and all the food I need is up there. The music started again, this time the tambourines. Delightful!

A guy who obviously liked the beer a lot and offered it to everybody else was sitting across the table. At a moment, he made my cry with laughter saying “When I walk down the street wearing a Mensa t-shirt, everybody shouts behind me… ‘Hey you, come have lunch with us, come have dinner at our place… I’ve got a daughter for marriage’”. You can write a book just hanging out with this guy. Our Danes and Slovenians don’t believe everything they’re hearing. Some smaller presents were exchanged also – t-shirts, key chains… kisses. I guess people were sad for leaving.

After the lunch we went back to Eko Center at the Palic Lake for the occasion of awarding medals and certificates for the best Olympics participants. The atmosphere was totally laid back and casual – laughter, joy, pleasance… We could do that for years, but the time came when we had to say goodbye. One must be patient now for another year and wait for another international Mensa gathering in Palic. I ask myself now why I never went to these gatherings before. I was young and ignorant, I guess J

Slobodan Misailović