Who knows what thoughts run through this old man's mind as he makes his way up Belgrade's Bohemian street, Skadarlija? Perhaps he's read Jean-Jacques Rousseau's work in the title, or perhaps not. He may be simply thinking about what's for lunch.
While walking in the sleet and snow to a wine and cheese exhibit (I didn't live in France for a long time for nothing!), I came across this cafe/beer garden tucked into a wall of Branko's Bridge. I'll go in another time....
Note: a commenter wanted to see more of the bridge, but it was impossible; cars parked behind me, 50mm lens, and no room to back up. Here's a link where you can see Branko's bridge that this cafe, called Under the Bridge, is under! Here's the bridge. It's on the far side.....
Little birds on bare branches on a tree in the Deliblato Sands, about an hour's drive from Belgrade. You can read a short explanation of the Sands and see some more photos on my Flickr link.
This is Belka and Bojana (pronounced BOY-ana), whom I see occasionally in the park. I'd been struck by how much they look alike....at least their hair.
I see this man almost every day on Knez Mihailova street. He cuts a dashing figure, with his hat, leather jacket, and well-trimmed beard. Not sure the poodle fits with him, but maybe he's the family dog.
Here's what the pyramid means.
I've seen these whatever-you-call-them all over town. Are they called apps? I really don't know what an app is... I imagine you're supposed to scan this with your phone and it will tell you then where you are.
I've googled all kinds of combinations to see if this comes up, but nothing does.
I don't have a fancy phone, so can't scan it...
Anyone know?
NOTE: If you look at the comments, you'll see that Dejan from Holland wrote that he scanned the app and it came up as an advertisement for a theater performance here downtown. I actually also found that there is a play called Lost in Serbia, but didn't make the connection. Duh.... and I have an ancient phone. Thank you, Dejan! :)
In Cyrillic this sign reads Aca's Bakery (Atsa, phonetically written, is a nickname for Alexander.) This bakery has been around for years and is extremely popular, serving high-quality cakes, cookies, breads, quiches, small pizzas, and sandwiches.
If you come to Belgrade, it's located on 25 Svetogorska Street, right downtown, not far from Saint Marko's church. Well-worth the stop.
I was shopping with a friend the other day when I spotted this woman in blue through the shop window.
Not quite my style, but I admire women who have the guts to dress like this.
And you?
The title is a reference to Michel Delville's 1973 film with Michel Piccoli and Lea Massari, which you can read about here. It's a story about obsession.... Nothing good on Youtube!
Bibi is never at a loss for admirers, so it wasn't a surprise when these two fellow from Dubai called for her to come over. Being the attention seeker she is, she obliged.
Both fellow were visiting Belgrade for a few days, and were surprised to learn I'd just passed through Dubai.
I was at a loss for a Z today, so I googled 'Arabic words that begin with Z' and came up with 'zaroon', which means 'visitor'. I love Google...
Mindfulness means fully living in the present; concentrating and focusing your attention on what is around you.
While making a salad the other day, I became aware how beautiful this red bell pepper was, plopped amidst the cucumber peelings in my sink. I watched the water flow over it, creating little splashes.
Do you ever take time to appreciate what some might feel are insignificant things?
It's time for Christmas Round Two. Serbs celebrate Christmas on January 7th, according to the Julian calender, and so tonight is Christmas Eve. Oak branches as above are being sold all over, since on Christmas morning they are burned (sort of like a Yule log), and while they do, people say, "As many sparks, as much money." (Toliko žara, toliko para.) Merry Christmas orSrećan Božićto all of you who celebrate tonight and tomorrow.
Maybe not an exciting post, but it is for me. Yams had never been available here until fairly recently. Many Chinese immigrants in Serbia now grow them, along with a whole slew of other 'exotic' vegetables.