Underground tunnels....I took a tour today of the underground tunnels used during the Bosnian wars of the 1990's, most countries in the UN felt conflicted about choosing sides and opted for the transfer of food to citizens as opposed to weapons and military forces. These tunnels were used to deliver food from the outside. I met a 70 year old woman on my tour today who had grown up in Bosnia but who had not returned since the age of 20 or so. She told us that during the Bosnian wars if a family from the outside wanted to send a food package they had to also send one to an anonymous family.
Monday, June 8, 2009
Underground tunnels....I took a tour today of the underground tunnels used during the Bosnian wars of the 1990's, most countries in the UN felt conflicted about choosing sides and opted for the transfer of food to citizens as opposed to weapons and military forces. These tunnels were used to deliver food from the outside. I met a 70 year old woman on my tour today who had grown up in Bosnia but who had not returned since the age of 20 or so. She told us that during the Bosnian wars if a family from the outside wanted to send a food package they had to also send one to an anonymous family.
Sarajevo,Bosnia...I took a hike today to the bridge where Franz Ferdinand was assassinated, it's amazing to think that this was the event that became the impetus for World War I, and touring the museusms dedicated to every one of the wars fought here in the last 100 years one really gets the sense that this part of the world has seen more then it's fair share of action.
Friday, June 5, 2009
Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina...this is is the metalworking district in Sarajevo, many of the shopkeepers are working on projects just two or three feet from the door. The temperature dropped considerably once I left the coast and it rained for most of my stay in Bosnia. The poverty here was far more visible and panhandlers were far more aggressive. Luckily my hostel was full of really lovely people and we developed a sort of make shift tour group. ( :
Bosnia...I took a bus to Sarajevo via Mostar, Bosnia today and after about 7 hours have arrived safely. Bosnia and Herzegovina, though relatively close to both Serbi and Croatia, is an entirely different world. The primarily Muslim country has recovered much less quickly from the recent wars and the community in general has a far more conservative feel.
Monday, June 1, 2009
Paparazzi in Dubrovnik? Oh goodness, today was silly, we're staying in a hostel in Dubrovnik and because we left a window open we attracted a group of Italian tourists, what's peculiar is that we weren't in any stage of undress or anything scandalous so I started photographing them thinking it would shame them but no such luck...
Saturday, May 30, 2009
Beach at Dubrovnik, Croatia...I've put off Greece, possibly until another trip, at least for now, to further enjoy Croatia, I've met the most amazing people and am having an incredible time! I may, however, be making a brief trip to Bosnia to tour Sarajevo, until then, I'm making the rounds and seeing some of Croatia's islands with a wonderful new group of people, all backpackers. We really cover the international spectrum from the US and Canada to Argentina, to Germany, Ireland and England.... ( ;
Thursday, May 28, 2009
This is exactly what it looks like...I gigantic pot of cheese... actually, it's a four cheese lasagna. I can't begin to tell you how incredible this was. I think Dubrovnik is for me....beaches, sun, cheese... ( : I am currently staying in a UNESCO protected mansion within the fortress walls in Dubrovnik. Because the summer season has not started and the Croatian currency (the kuna) is very low, I have the palatial place all to myself for a bit befor eI take a ferry to Bari, Italy so I can catch a boat down to Greece...
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
All of the red roofs behind me have been replaced in the last 15 years after the Serbo-Croatian wars in the 90's and a few of the buildings have not been repaired since the last bombings but much of the city has bounced right back and is once again full of tourists from all walks of life and ends of the earth...
A Franciscan nun passing Onofrio's fountain in Dubrovnik, Croatia...this fountain has been supplying the city with water since 1444, the monastery that this nun belongs to has been in operation since the 12th century. By the by, just under the orange tree in the back is the pay-phone where I've been making my calls home! ( ;
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
The Biokovo Mts...the landscapes here lie somewhere between a Sergio Leone film and the face of the moon, it's difficult to describe the difficulty in mountain climbing here, there are as many boulders and rock shards in all directions as there is earth. It's been a really bizarre and wonderful experience...
Monday, May 25, 2009
The island of Brac, Croatia...is famous for it's incredible beaches, I have been traveling with university students from France for a few days and we decided to take the bus on Brac to Bol, which has one of the most recognizable coastlines in Croatia. After an eternity of buses and boats we finally managed to put our toes in the Adriatic!
Split, Croatia...looong late night train ride to Split, but very much worth it. I went to a hostel with two French Canadian backpackers who are traveling Europe during their third year of university as well. It seems like there are a lot of men making this trip together but I've yet to meet any serious female backpackers.
Saturday, May 23, 2009
A monk from the winery on his cellphone?
Suffice to say there would not be half so many pictures of the view from the castle but I was quite winded after the hike and the bevy of creme cakes so I took a pretty substantial break once at the top! ( ; I was adopted by a Japanese tour group today after a woman asked me where I was from. I'm not sure if there was a misunderstanding or if Texas really is wildly amusing, either way I agreed to take what seemed like 30 pictures with them, very lovely people! ( : I'll try to post one of those if they email one my way...
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