This bridge might just be one of my favorite things about this trip so far. It spans the Neretva River in Mostar and is called Stari Most which means, simply, Old Bridge. In fact, the bridge in this photo is only about three years old. It was completed in 2004, but it is an exact replica of it's predecessor which stood in the same place from 1566 until it was destroyed by Croat soldiers in November 1993. The stone for this bridge was gathered from the same quarry as the original. All of the old 16th-century methods were used to rebuild the bridge so that it would in essence be the same "old" bridge. It is a beautiful site...
I have struggled with what else to write about Bosnia. I wish I could somehow package up everything I've seen and heard and experienced here, wrap it up, seal it, and send it home to all of you, so you could feel it too. This is an amazing place. When I spoke with the couple that I met on the train to Split, they told me, "When you go to Bosnia you will see, this is something different. Sarajevo, Mostar, this place is something special." How very true. These two cities have so far been the highlight of my trip.
In both places I have been able to stay in the homes of people who lived through the conflicts during the 90's and are willing to share their stories with the strangers that come drifting through every few days. Majda and Bata, the brother and sister duo that run the hostel in Mostar, were forced to leave their home for several years and move to other, safer, parts of Europe. They have returned to that home and opened their doors to travelers from all over the world. Haris saw his home destroyed during the seige of Sarajevo. Only 7 years old when it all began in 1992, he is 22 now, and for the last 4 years has taken on the responsibility of running a hostel out of his family home which has since been repaired. Both Haris and Bata organize tours of the areas surrounding their homes, taking time to teach, to answer questions, and to offer their visitors a chance to see something real.
I am amazed by the spirit of the people I have met in these two places. Where I might have expected anger, I have mostly found peace. I have also been impressed by the overall feeling of these cities. Instead of sadness, there is just such a sense of how alive these places are. And in both places there has been a great mix of people with interesting stories to tell. There have been so many good conversations and experiences, I am a bit sad to be leaving. Perhaps that's why I'm having so much trouble deciding where to go next. I *think* I'm going to Belgrade tomorrow.
Lots of new pictures to check out on flickr. More soon.
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1 comment:
WOW, I am just having a great time seeing a small fraction of what you are able to see. I appreciate all the time that you take labeling and explaining photos. It will be so much easier to recall information about your trip when you look back on your photos someday. It was great to see a photo of you in the mix, you look great! Miss you, but still following you around the world:)
Amie
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