A Shop Calling

Mladin is the handyman and mechanic in Viganj, Croatia. He lives one block off the coastal road, halfway between the church and Cafe Carmelo.

I visited Mladin’s shop one day when one of our house bikes popped a tire. I was told he was called “Max” for “Mad Max,” the apocalyptic movie where rusted, recycled, and tripped out vehicles rule the day.

He shrugged at the name, lit a cigarette, then went to work on our tire.

Mladin doesn’t speak English. But he does speak shop.

It was such a pleasure to see Mladin IMMERSED in his work, immersed in his shop (arranged just so), immersed in his CALLING … as S and I think during this trip about OUR calling … OUR place in the world … the places WE live between.