Have faith.

"Have faith!" is what I thought when I saw this fellow repairing something under his truck. I sure hope he has a good jack or a super-strong guardian angel. This photo is from last fall, but he still parks his truck near our apartment building.

ABC Wednesday---"H" is for "houseboat"

Many Belgraders have weekend homes, small or large, in the nearby countryside, or perhaps a family home in a village farther away. Those who don't often opt for a houseboat, which provides escape from the city especially during the summer, even though you don't have to go far at all. At the present time, there are regulations (safety, sanitary, docking fees, etc.) but like many other laws here, they're often ignored until someone really checks. Not sure of the status of these very different riverside pieces of paradise, but they're second homes to some people! Which one would you like?

To post an ABC Wednesday photo, see: http://mrsnesbittsplace.blogspot.com/

Ouch!

Took this photo about a year ago in Novi Sad, a city 70 kms to the north of Belgrade, where my husband grew up. Recently my kids and I took a trip up there in his honor a few days after his funeral. Ivan (my husband) and I had laughed hard at this sign, and we remarked that it didn't seem to be worded to bring in business. But the tattoo and piercing parlor is still there, so I guess that shows how much we knew about advertising! (This sign is in English, and the one behind it is partly in Italian; signs in foreign languages here are "in.")

Another protest

This photo dates from the end of July during a protest held by the Serbian Radical Party to protest the sending of war criminal Radovan Karadžić to The Hague. Aside from the actual protestors, these events are often attended by groups of unruly young people looking for a "good time," i.e. wreaking havoc and causing millions of dinars in damage to public property. Indeed, the terra cotta feet I'd posted on August 27th and similar art creations which were on display on the pedestrian street, Knez Mihailova, made handy projectiles.

Sit on a slice

A cool slice of watermelon is indeed refreshing, but I'm not sure that it would be refreshing to sit on this bench (indentation for sitting on side facing the river), at least in the heat. This bench is one of many that appeared along the Danube on both the Old and New Belgrade sides. Some are shaped like feet, some like hands, and some cute pink ones like little ears.

Eight heads

On Thursday I mentioned that the facades of many of Belgrade's old buildings are deteriorating, and this is a case in point. This is a detail of what must have been a wealthy family's home over a century ago, for this head is one of eight that appear to represent the home's owners, now long gone. They're not the ordinary stylized heads for decorative purposes that one usually sees. After WWII, private homes were seized by the communist government and, for example, the original owners were forced to live in reduced quarters and the other living spaces given to others. Nowadays, descendants of many such formerly private home owners are trying to have the property returned to them.

Sky Watch Friday--Against the itch

In New Belgrade especially, mosquitos can be quite a problem. Several times each summer the City sprays areas along the Danube and Sava against these pests. From my porch I have an excellent view (?) of the planes used for this purpose and their approach. Personally, pesticides scare me, and I really don't like to think about breathing in what they're spreading around, so I stay indoors and hope that somehow the spray's effect on me will be less when I venture out.

For more Sky Watch participants, check out: http://skyley.blogspot.com/

Hidden beauty

In downtown Belgrade there are many modern buildings and also many old ones. The facades and stairways of the latter are either well maintained if the owners have the money to do so, or else are left to slowly deteriorate. I amuse myself by peeking through doorways of the more dilapidated buildings to see if it's worth a closer look inside. Often it is, as you can see by this treasure of a ceiling I found. Click on the photo to enlarge and appreciate the artwork more.

ABC Wednesday "G" is for "girl"

This little girl was out for a Sunday walk with her parents and ventured onto a lawn with her lavender balloon. She's wearing a typical little Serbian vest, skirt, and white blouse. Serbs dote on "little princes and princesses" and indulge them to what must of us would call spoiling the child. For the most part, however, they do also instill in them good manners and proper behavior.

What's my name?

Photographed this beauty the other week through a fence. I don't know the name of this flower or even if it has a scent, since I couldn't get my nose close enough! Anyone know?

Theme Day--Sister Cities "Belgrade-Chicago"

"Chicago, Chicago, that's my kind of town...." And I'm pretty sure it would be too, if I were ever to travel there. Thanks to Nesha of the Beograd Cafe and Meat Market in Chicago, I am showing you this photo today that he gave me permission to publish. As their site http://www.beogradmarket.net/explains, "Beograd Market is a family-owned, old-fashioned market and coffee shop...selling only the finest tasting beef, pork, and lamb....In addition to our meat products, we also carry homemade meals, groceries, and frozen foods." Check out their site for a glimpse of mouth-watering ćevapčići, pljeskavice, (check my April 14th post; go to Archives on the left), and their photo gallery for a picture of Vlade Divac, the basketball star, who visited the Market!