Sarajevo: the beginning.

First day in Sarajevo: done.  There are 14 of us here from The University of Denver (all doing different internships), and today we took a walking tour of the city.  It was beautiful!  Last night when we got in on the train (an hour later than expected – apparently this is normal), and it was too dark to see anything.  This morning we could see beautiful hills surrounding the city.  I think I’m going to like Sarajevo.

And now starts a new series: Do and Don’t

Do: Ride the train if you have the time. I was worried that it was going to be completely sketch and the train would fall apart along the way.  It was actually really nice – not too crowded – air conditioned (except when we stopped – then we melted) – beautiful countryside – plus, 4 stamps in my passport in one day! (leaving Hungary, entering and leaving Croatia, and then entering Bosnia)

Don’t: Forget to bring food for the entire day. We made the mistake of believing there would be a food car.  Apparently that was left in Hungary when we crossed the border into Croatia.  We survived on peanuts, juice, cheese puffs, and apples – we were starving when we finally arrived in Sarajevo.

Do: Hang out with friends at the bar across the street from the hostel as soon as you arrive – and get a massive pizza all for yourself.  Chat – catch up on travel stories – lament over lost luggage – brag about how amazing Budapest was – generally have a fantastic time with amazing people you get to spend the entire summer with.

Don’t: Go to Bosnia and eat at McDonalds. They most definitely had signs pointing the direction to the McDonalds (which has to be the most amazing looking McD’s that I have ever seen in my life, btw)

Do: Watch the men play chess in the city center. It’s most definitely entertaining.

Don’t: Take pictures in a church that you are not allowed to take pictures in – or go inside without your shoulders covered – the nun will chastise you and make you feel like a fool.

Do: Travel around the city and look at the “Bosnian Roses” – they are from mortar shells that caused casualties, and are a reminder of the lives lost and injuries sustained during the horrific war and siege.

Don’t: Climb around in an abandoned bombed out building from the war just because it looks amazing with plants growing out of it and you think you will get some awesome shots – it likely will collapse on you if you traverse its depths.

Don’t: Wear inappropriate clothing while going to visit a beautiful Mosque – they will not even let you inside the courtyard.

Do: Look at the architecture. It’s an amazing blend of Austro-Hungarian, Turkish, and Modern influences. It is also apparent how significant the damage from the war is upon the old buildings vs. the new ones.

Do: Make friends with the local wildlife (aka random cats and dogs that are all over the city). The people in Sarajevo are extremely nice to them – therefore, they are extremely cuddly and cute. I feel as though there will be many friends made this summer.

Don’t: Travel behind your tour group to take pictures – because you will miss all of the important things said regarding the history of Sarajevo.

Do: Visit the place where Archduke Franz Ferdinand was assassinated - because it's a major piece of world history.

Don’t: Eat solely at places that serve “American” food.  Bosnian food is delicious, and every opportunity to try new, wonderful dishes should be taken.

Do: Eat the delicious gelato after every meal. For 1 KM (about 70 cents), you really can’t go wrong.

Do: Finish the night with friends, food, and drinks at a local restaurant/pub. In this case, the local Sarajevo Brewery.

Don’t: Upload a bajillion pictures using slow internet access ever again. You will be up half of the night waiting for the pictures to finish loading onto the blog…


Do: Go to bed and come back to the blog post the next day in favor of sleep. No one likes a grumpy, sleep-deprived person.