Rain, a great tour guide, an evening view from the mountains, and a new friend
January 22, 2009
This is the location of the assassination of Arch Duke Ferdinand of Austria which stated World War I.
This is an email that I sent my family and friends from Mostar. It's about my first day in Sarajevo. It reined all day and only let up as the sun was about to set. SO....the only pics are evening shots, atleast for this day.
so.....iäm traveling. thus far on this trek rob and i have been to vilnius, lithuania.....wonderful, kiev, ukraine......cold and interesting.....but not rushing back, from here rob had to return home, to work....someone has to pay the bills. my good will amabasador job isnät paying well.....haha. anyway, i ventured on to sarajevo, bosnia and hercegovina.......amaying city sitting in a picturesque valley.
....just wait until you see......its just hard to believe.....its so beautiful and the people are so friendly and english speaking. now, i am in mostar in the hercegovina region...its capitol. its just breath taking......a retreat. its hard to imaging all the fighting and death that occured in these 2 places. it has been enjoyable. i am here until sunday morning when i return to sarajevo for one more day. i will then go on to belgrade serbia for 4 days and then meet rob in krakow, poland.
Old Town with the Turkish quarter nearby, the cafes, and shopees and fountains everywhere.
everyone......this time in b and h is definitely a big one for me........i wish you could experience it the way i am. i feel so very differently about this beautiful and a bit sad place.
.....whose people just want to share. i was walking up the hills to the north of sarajevo ........the view of the whole city and surrounding mountains is said to be quite inspiring.....and it really is. anyway, i met this young guy walking his dog. i said hi. he asked me if i was a tourist. i said that i was and that i was really enjoying his view of his city. he said that he was very glad that i made the effort to see this view, to him, the most beautiful view in the world. what a nice moment that we shared this view, together. he is a basketball player and plays all over europe and middle east but his dream is to make it to america some day and play.
Old Town and the Turkish bridge
Cathedral and clouds cresting the mountains
I also went to the Turist Information center and asked about a city tour. The lady told me that she could make a call and see if the tour guide would come for one person. She did ......I received an amazing amount of information in the 1 1/2 hours that she spent with me. Her fee was 15 euro but, I gave her 20. She is a student at the university.
After the tour, I walked around the Old town, taking in the bazaar and the Turkish quarter. The Turkish quarter is where the coppersmiths practice their art. Each and every shop has hundreds of sculpted, molded, pressed, or etched designs in copper.
I walked into one shop that had especially nice works on display in the window. I looked around and was in amazement at what detailed scenes he was able capture in the metal.
He was very happy to explain his process and even show me. He told me of the many gallery showings that he was fortunate enough to have had. His work had been shown in London, Paris, New York, Los Angeles, Rio de Janiero, and other places, also. He also spoke about the war. He told me about how he and his family, most of them, made it through. He told me his thoughts on his country now and it's future. He had concern about Republika Srpska and the eventual war that he expected with them. This wouldn't be the last I would hear of that. I listened to his stories and opinions for over an hour. He just wanted to be heard and especially by someone who would share he words with others outside the Balkans.
Cemetary of Heroes
I left his shop, after buying one of his small pieces. He gave me a cd of one of his showings as a gift. I continued from there through the area where there were many shops with textiles; coats, shoes, socks, rugs, wall hangings, table coverings, and just beautiful woven samples of designs from the past.
I found a woven panel with a colorful Bosnian design that I would later see in the Ethnographic Musuem in Beograd. It is just amazing.
Sunset and Sarajevo all lit up
After stopping at a grocery and a short break back at the room to have a late lunch / early dinner, I headed back out for a walk along the river. I walked across the old Turkish bridge to the other side. I continued toward the steep hill, not knowing where it would take me. I walked up and increasing incline, through a residential area of the lower hill. Continuing up, I made it to a cemetary, where many, many died during the war for independance.
As I turned around, I was met with an awesome sight. The mountains that surround and protect Sarajevo. The city nestled within and clouds and mist crossing the valley. As I stood there, the clouds lessened and a bit of light shone down on Sarajevo.
It seemed like it was meant for me, so that I could see it a bit better I took this chance to take some amazing pictures. I just stood there, taking it all in. I felt the pain and suffering. I felt the peace and hope for the future. I felt nature holding Sarajevo like a mother and it's child. It was fantastic.
Bosnian Cheese....YUM!
As I said prevously, I met a young man walking his dog. He was friendly and had a chat with me. He was friendly and wanted to know about me and for me to know about him. I wasn't expecting a friendly conversation on this hike but, I felt it was provided to further cement my warm feelings for Sarajevo.
As the fell below the mountains and the clouds filtered the last bit of light, I climbed back down the hill to the Old Town. I had a nce walk about the city in it's quiet of the evening. It was such a different city lit up at night. You can see so many details that had focused lighting on them. A different feel and a new view.
Back to the hotel and restful evening. I cooked in and prepared for my early morning and my journey to Mostar. I am so excited, the city I saw destroyed on tv. I would see it, explore it, and try to understand just a bit more about it.
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This is the location of the assa…
Old Town with the Turkish quarte…
Old Town and the Turkish bridge
Cathedral and clouds cresting th…
Cemetary of Heroes
Sunset and Sarajevo all lit up
Bosnian Cheese....YUM!
Excited by the fantastic view
The Milijacka River and the view…
The Milijacka River and Princip'…
More view from up the hill - Sar…
I continue to climb
Almost to the top
Close up of Sarajevo city center.
Panoramic Sarajevo
Amost an apartment in the heart of Sarajevo's Old Town
This hotel is a bit hidden back off one of the main streets that runs through Old Town. This is really a good thing as it provides a quiet refuge for your room. The building and it's contents are obviously renovated sometime recently but, showing a bit of wear. The staff is quite friendly and will can get you any information you need. The room is large and nicely furnished in modern decor. The kitchenette is ...AMAZING! It's nicer than most home kitchens. The fridge is stocked and there are snacks. The prices are quite reasonable for a hotel. The bed is comfy and the pillow is as well. The bath is beautifully designed and the shower has body jets and a rain head. Breakfast was included. It consisted of cereal, juice, yogurt , fruit toast/roll, cheese, meat, and hard boiled egg.
It you are looking for privacy and convenience of making your own meals and this is in your budget. It can be quite a value. For the single traveler on a budget it's probably a bit pricey.
It you are looking for privacy and convenience of making your own meals and this is in your budget. It can be quite a value. For the single traveler on a budget it's probably a bit pricey.
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Help a college student and see the sights
I went to the Tourist Information Center, when I arrived in Sarajevo. I hoped to get a good map and maybe ask about reccomendations for a tour of the city. When I went in, the lady working was so very friendly. She gave me a great map and some brochures. She asked when I would want to take a tour. I told her that really anytime would be fine. She picked up the phone and made a call. While still on the phone she asked if in one hour would be good. I was thrilled. So, she told me that a college student would be coming to show me around. It would be an hour and a half tour for the equivalent of 15 euro.
The girl showed up on time and proceeded to, in the pouring rain, show me many of the great sights of Sarajevo. She was knowledgeable and funny. Also, her English was great. I would reccomend this to anyone visiting Sarajevo. It's a great tour and helps a college student.
The girl showed up on time and proceeded to, in the pouring rain, show me many of the great sights of Sarajevo. She was knowledgeable and funny. Also, her English was great. I would reccomend this to anyone visiting Sarajevo. It's a great tour and helps a college student.
Old Town City Center
Sarajevo view from the mountains
