Most people wouldn't think of going to Serbia in the winter. Even more people wouldn't go during a gas crisis when Russia has shut off the gas going through Ukraine, leading to gas shortages in the Balkans. With the knowledge of very few places having heat, we set off to Belgrade, the capital of Serbia.
My Canadian friend traveling with me asked what I was going to tell people when they asked where I was from. Serbians and Hungarians have a cantankerous relationship and a good portion of the damage to Belgrade was from the U.S. bombing the city during the Balkan War. I decided to give Canadian a try as I was already traveling with a Canadian. That night, when a group of guys asked where we were from, we said Canada. They started singing the South Park song, "Blame Canada". I instinctively laughed and my friend who was not so amused told me I just gave myself away. I then admitted that I was American and our new found Serbian friends became instantly overjoyed and started chatting about their favorite NBA players, American sitcoms that they enjoy, and where in the U.S. they would like to visit. It was a good reminder that not everyone puts a fellow citizen and the government in the same group just as we need to be careful placing the people of a country and their government in the same category. As an American, they welcomed me with open arms.
Belgrade still bears the scars from the wars in the 90s and break up of Yugoslavia. The winter cold and snow created a dreary look as well. Yet, we found the city charming, its people welcoming, the food delicious, and the nightlife spectacular. I have yet to visit in the Summer, but I hear the city becomes alive in the warm weather. I would like to visit during that season, but I am glad I got to also see the city in winter.
My Canadian friend traveling with me asked what I was going to tell people when they asked where I was from. Serbians and Hungarians have a cantankerous relationship and a good portion of the damage to Belgrade was from the U.S. bombing the city during the Balkan War. I decided to give Canadian a try as I was already traveling with a Canadian. That night, when a group of guys asked where we were from, we said Canada. They started singing the South Park song, "Blame Canada". I instinctively laughed and my friend who was not so amused told me I just gave myself away. I then admitted that I was American and our new found Serbian friends became instantly overjoyed and started chatting about their favorite NBA players, American sitcoms that they enjoy, and where in the U.S. they would like to visit. It was a good reminder that not everyone puts a fellow citizen and the government in the same group just as we need to be careful placing the people of a country and their government in the same category. As an American, they welcomed me with open arms.
Belgrade still bears the scars from the wars in the 90s and break up of Yugoslavia. The winter cold and snow created a dreary look as well. Yet, we found the city charming, its people welcoming, the food delicious, and the nightlife spectacular. I have yet to visit in the Summer, but I hear the city becomes alive in the warm weather. I would like to visit during that season, but I am glad I got to also see the city in winter.
