SHADOW SHOT SUNDAY--the cemetery gate

Yesterday I went to the cemetery to mark the one year of the death of a dear friend's son. Not an occasion to take my camera along, but I did have my cell phone.

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WEEKEND REFLECTIONS--Ravnistarka Cave, Serbia

Two days ago my friend and I took a road trip to Kucevo, a town about 2 hours southeast of Belgrade.  Nearby there are several caves, one of which we 'explored'. Ravnistarka Cave is one of the larger caves in Serbia, measuring 501.5 meters; 589 meters with its adjoining tunnels.  It was discovered in 1980.  

See other reflections on James' WEEKEND REFLECTIONS.

SKYWATCH--giant photobomber

The clock tower on Kalemegdan, photobombed by, I believe, an apatosaurus, but you paleontologist readers, please correct me.

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From old to new

There's a place downtown that holds a crafts fair almost permanently.  I love seeing how artisans have taken traditional dress no longer worn and transformed it into something that could now be worn in style.

The above is a case in point. 

ABC WEDNESDAY--"G" is for "gravida"

Gravida is the term used to describe the number of times a woman has been pregnant.  Primigravida is a first pregnancy, secundogravida a second one, multigravida for ones after that.  I just loved being described as an 'elderly primigravida' by my doctor when I gave birth to my son at age 30....  That term isn't used hardly at all anymore; political correctness stepped in.

This statue is part of a temporary exhibit in Kalemegdan and it is entitled...'Fait Accompli'.

See other Gs on Mrs. Nesbitt's ABC WEDNESDAY.

Sunflower man

When I glimpsed this man selling flowers just down the street from Belgrade's National Museum, I wondered for a moment what exactly it was that caught my eye.  I think it's because it's a man selling flowers, whereas at least here, you see only women doing so 99% of the time.

His sunflowers are lovely. I'd have bought some had I not been on my way to dinner...and they'd have wilted.

Cell phone photo

Not a recent photo, as you can probably tell by the way the lady in the background is dressed. It's hot,  hot, here now.

Sorry for my lack of visits; scanning negatives and am bleary-eyed....  I'll get back to you.

WEEKEND REFLECTIONS--in black and white

Not the most exciting reflection photo, but I didn't have another....  A fisherman near Branko's Bridge in Belgrade.

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SKYWATCH--L'heure bleue

Wiki defines 'the blue hour' as "...the period of twilight each morning and evening when the sun is a significant distance below the horizon and the residual, indirect sunlight takes on a predominantly blue hue. This effect is caused by the relative diffusability of short blue wavelengths of light versus the longer red wavelengths. During the blue "hour" (typically the period is about 40 minutes in length), red light passes straight into space while blue light is scattered in the atmosphere and therefore reaches the earth's surface. Because of the quality of the light, this period is treasured by artists. Photographers call it sweet light."

The blue  hour or L'heure bleue is also the name of my favorite perfume.

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Sitting in her slippers...

When you're older, you don't have to worry about wearing 'what's right' and this lady is perfectly comfy in her slippers, seated reading the paper on a downtown bench.  To  be fair, that kind of slipper is often worn 'outside'.

ABC WEDNESDAY--Face-off

Some of you readers will undoubtedly not agree with me about the breed, but I don't like pit bulls and like their owners even less. I know that's a sweeping generalization, but I've witnessed an attack or two here in town (dog-to-dog) and very recently there have been two dog-child attacks.  I am sure there are good pit bulls and responsible owners, but here both are ultra-macho.  At least these two have them on a leash, which is not always the case.

Dog trainer (and owner trainer, too)Cesar Millan says that there are no bad pit bulls, only irresponsible owners,  but until we can train all their owners, I'll steer clear of pit bulls.

These two owners exchanged a few words before deciding who'd get the right of way....

End of rant.

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Danijel, the fruit and veggie artisan

My kids call me the Gadget Queen, and I suppose in some ways that's true....  I did end up buying a couple of doo-dads from Danijel, whose skills I observed for a while, to make sure I can sort of duplicate them....  We will see.

I'll  be taking him this photo, too.

Roll out the red carpet

Nothing like a coffee or drink in the park in style. This piece of red carpet was undoubtedly placed there by the security guards at one end of Kalemegdan Park.  The two mugs, too....

WEEKEND REFLECTIONS--tiny blue tutu

I always pass this little ballet shop on my way to a friend's house.  I think this is their tiniest tutu.

See other reflections on James' WEEKEND REFLECTIONS.

SKYWATCH--Beer Fest

The BELGRADE BEER FEST started on the 13th, drawing visitors from not just Serbia and Belgrade, but from pretty much all over.  Not my kind of place to  hang out, but I caught these two overlooking the festival itself from a Kalemegdan wall.

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Wasteful

I read online that ICEBOX's ice cream and frozen yogurt are really good, I sure wish they could think of a better package.  Yes, I get the part about the 'box', but it's all so eco-unfriendly.  Unless of course you're an ant and appreciate licking the cup.

I haven't tried their product, and maybe I will.  I keep seeing their packaging all over the place, unfortunately.

ABC WEDNESDAY "E" is for "evolution"

Well, sometimes I hit just the right photo for ABC WEDNESDAY.  Couldn't resist this one for 'evolution'.

I had heard there was very little difference in our DNA make-up and that of chimps. There's for sure some sort of resemblance between Sami, a now-deceased, long-time resident of Belgrade's zoo, and one of the zoo's caretakers.

See other Es on Mrs. Nesbitt's ABC WEDNESDAY.

They don't make them like this anymore...

How many times have you heard (usually older) people say, "They don't make 'em like this anymore?"

Well, it's true for some things, like this old gate. Now gates are more often all shiny, rust-proof, and streamlined.

I love the story that this gate tells.

A bit of LA

A bit of Los Angeles on Belgrade's city streets.

Shadow Shot--colorful

Colorful...and with shadows.

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WEEKEND REFLECTIONS--in the rain out my window

I don't want to see rain anymore, especially with my major roof problems....rain, rain, go away...

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SKYWATCH-Prince Mihail again, in the morning

Around 9:00 in the morning, a hot, sultry one here in Belgrade.

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Still at the zoo

White dove coming home.

ABC WEDNESDAY "D" is for "determination"

You have to really admire tortoises, terrapins, and turtles. They for sure don't move so fast, even when they might be in a hurry like this chap, and finding a mate must be along process.  Determination was the word of the day for this tortoise at the Belgrade Zoo.

Poor fellow was too much in a hurry....got the wrong side.  Note, though, the worn spot on her shell....

See other Ds on Mrs. Nesbitt's ABC WEDNESDAY.

Brick climbing

If this fellow had lost his grip/step, he would have had quite a fall from this  high wall in Kalemegdan Park. 

Demolition art

The area in front of these partially demolished buildings is now a parking lot.

Someone had the idea of showing how the buildings feel about that.

THEME DAY--Take-away or Fast food gone fast

The above photo shows one of my favorite gyros (Greek wrap) places right near me.  Immediately after I left for the US last May, a gas canister blew  up....and with it the shop.  Six people were hurt, three of which seriously.  I believe all are okay now.

As you see, this shop, called Kod Debelog (Fatty's) is being renovated.  I thank Novosti, a local newspaper, for the second photo.

If you know Serbian, you can read the original article right here. See other fast-food places by clicking here.