Bojana and me
Well I am catching a train to Bar, Montenegro this morning and may not be able to finish this post. Met two Canadian girls here at the hostel – from Manitoba. Four great Italian guys arrived the last day of my stay and we all went out last night. So I am tired this morning. They were great.
The fort in Kalemegdan from the 1400s. Very cool.
My sister had asked me why I had not `hooked-up` with any man yet. However that means there is the assumption that men that I might be interested in are interested in me. I mean there are lots of men older than me who are interested in me, but they are substantially older. Alternatively there are men in their 20s and 30s. There are not many men I meet first of all that are around my age, and secondly that show any interest in me whatsoever.
Natural art.
On that point, 2 evenings ago, an older Serbian man started talking to me in Serbian. When we found the common language of French to communicate, he tried to get me to go for a drink with him. I didn`t want to. So after he kept pressuring me, he told me he was an artist and wanted to draw my portrait. In his relentless efforts, I finally agreed that he could meet me the following day at noon and he could have 1 hour to draw my portrait.
Radomir drawing my portrait
So to make a long story short, Radomir, his name, met me the next day and drew my portrait. It took about 2 and a half hours but it was a good portrait. After finishing it he wanted to do a painting, then a full figure. I said no. He was very enamoured with me but too old and smoked like a chimney. This was just not likely. So as you can see, all well and good, but the attractions have to be mutual. In addition, my journey can not be detoured by the potential involvement of a man, unless it has potential and that is very hard to determine just passing through. Really that is not what my journey is about.
Zindan Gate built around 1450
Ah, the sweetest thing just happened. I was having lunch in the Bohemian District on Skadarska at an outdoor cafe when suddenly it started just pouring. The waiter was furiously running trying to grab and put away anything that might get damaged by the rain. So I started helping him then went inside to finish my meal. I had only been able to use 1 hand because I was holding my stuff with the other. So now sitting inside trying to decide what to do next, the waiter came over with a glass of wine and said `because you help us…` It was so sweet. The Serbians are so sweet, polite and considerate. I love it here.
Arches, arches and more arches
Then late last night when I got back to the hostel, Bojana gave me two pairs of earrings, a bracelet and then a little Serbian trunk. Gotta come back.
How nice of your friend Bojana to give you gifts – did you give her anything?
The Serbians must be very nice people!!
Just incase you think I am confused, I noted that Bojana is from Manitoba.
No Mum, you were right the first time. Bojana works at the hostel in Belgrade and is Serbian. I gave her a pair of earrings from Turkey. Perhaps I need to clarify that post a bit.
Whatever, all is clear in the making of important thoughts. Have fun!
By the way, on your map, you have been to Ohio, Both Carolinas, Georgia, Virginia, Maryland and maybe Delaware, Kentucky and Tennessee.I cannot remember if we took 85, but we definitely took 75!
Thank – I agree – certainly is not my focus.
You must be talking about the drive to Florida when I was a kid. I don’t know if I can count that since we didn’t really get out and experience them. Do you think I should – would be a bit misleading I should think.
We did stay at hotels, usually Holiday Inns’ in various states. We usually made two stays each way.
Ah – but I don’t remember those stays so I don’t know if that counts and I really didn’t see the places so to speak. I guess I did from the car window. But if I count that then I should also count when I have been through airports. Decisions, decisions, decisions – it brings to question what constitutes having visited a country.
Hey about the men … Jerry had mentioned it to see if you had met a traveling companion, there-fore giving you the opportunity to feel more at ease, sort of like a pseudo body guard. Jerry does s fine job when we travel, now that I have him trained. He use to take off leaving me stranded and feeling vulnerable. It’s a hard hit when you are unprepared.
I certainly appreciate your feelings about traveling as a women. Although, I met this lone traveling women in Jamaica and was mesmerized by her ability to just be, and there-fore wasn’t hassled at all. She was working doing research, learned how to speak their local dialect and on top of it all she was very white in a very black country. I wondered what the difference was? Hmmmm…
Ah yes you have mentioned your experience with Jerry a couple of times. If I meet nice guys in locations and we feel like hanging about to do stuff, we have as I have mentioned in my blogs, but other than in the short time I am in one place, that is about it. I also know that when you are in a place long enough and get to know “the lay of the land” so to speak, you become more comfortable and know how to handle the place and situations. This happened in the last few days in Turkey for me and I also have experienced this in the Caribbean since I have been down their numerous times and not always in resorts but visiting friends and such. Once you know how a place works it is easier to know whether and how to feel safe in your skin. During quick visits to places with only the biased media as your source of what to expect, you tend to be even more on guard and vulnerable, but once your realize that 99% of the people just want to go about their lives, than things are fine.
But for instance, I know once I reach Europe – Italy, France, Spain etc… – that I will be at my most vulnerable as they are well known for their pick pockets and petty crime. I have known that before. That sort of crime is a pain because you have to keep vigilant watch on your belongings. So far whereever I have travelled my stuff has all been safe. But I am prepared for Europe now.
Gotta go run – literally.
I already know that you like stairs, but it seems that you also like gates and arches now. No matter what subject your pictures are, they are always beautiful and intriguing. 🙂
In this blog entry, my favourite picture is the one of the balcony.
Not sure if I mentioned it to you before, but I like pictures of windows. You will get the opportunity to take lots of pictures of windows once you make your way to Germany. (hint, hint)
…Sorry that this entry turned out so long.
Yes I have noticed this trend in myself. I have been analysing it with no clear resultsjust yet. It could be a window to our soul or door to opportunity sort of fascination. I think I need to worry if I start liking dug out holes or something …
Never apologize for a long entry. I welcme them. I am so pleased you are enjoying the blog.