A spring cleaner

Doesn't this lady have the most endearing face and smile? She is one of the City Parks crew that comes to pick up litter and tidy up for spring. Others like her prune trees, rake up dead leaves, and trim bushes. I see her rather often, and she let me take her photo, and I gave one to her later on. Her hair is the color that you see on one of these two ladies , and she's carrying a pointed metal stick to pick up litter with.

Table and Chairs

This is a very typical scene around markets here in Belgrade and all over Serbia. The sign on the wall reads "Ljuba's Hot Burek". You'll remember I posted about burek here, so have a look to see what it is. Burek is usually accompanied by (drinkable) yogurt, but you can always get yourself a Coke from the machine you see...

This post is for Virgina of Birmingham Alabama Daily Photo who has been doing a series on tables and chairs.

Rose hips

Have you ever tried rose hips? They're quite popular here, and are used for herbal tea, jam, jelly, and syrup. They grow wild, and I often see people gathering them. I took these home and photographed them against the lining of my jacket. Rose hips contain vitamins C, D and E, essential fatty acids and antioxidant flavonoids. As if this weren't enough, I found some other uses on Wikipedia:

1. Rose hip powder is a remedy for rheumatoid arthritis.
2. Rose hips from the dog rose in particular have antioxidant values that far exceed other berries.
3. As an herbal remedy, rose hips can help prevent urinary bladder infections, and assist in treating dizziness and headaches.
4. Rose hips are also commonly used externally in oil form to restore firmness to skin by nourishing and astringing tissue.
5. They can also be used to treat constipation.
6. And ladies, rose hips contain a lot of iron, and drinking rose hip tea can make up for iron loss.
7. Rose hips have recently become popular as a healthy treat for pet chinchillas and guinea pigs, which are unable to manufacture their own Vitamin C!
8. Rose hips are also fed to horses to improve coat condition and new hoof growth. (Wonder if they're good for our nails and hair?)
9. Watch out! The fine hairs found inside rose hips are used as itching powder!

April Theme Day-Yellow/ABC Wednesday "K" is for "Keepsake"

Yes, I know there isn't much yellow on this photo, but I just couldn't resist bragging about how Bibi made this month's cover Belgrade's new English-language publication, Belgrade Mutts. For me, it will be a Keepsake. Created by several ex-pats here who are concerned with Belgrade's stray dog population, the magazine features Mutts of Interest and their stories. In this issue, Bibi tells her heartbreaking story of her life at Katya's (see icon on sidebar) and how she was rescued by the City Daily Photo blogger who uses her name...and photo. Belgrade Mutts is available downtown at your newsstand or to those of you in blogland by subscription. Oh, yes, and by the way....April Fool.

Click here to view thumbnails for all participants

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Reflections

While walking along the Sava River the other day, I did a series on reflections in the water of floating restaurants. This one is my favorite...abstract art!

Composition In Blue and Brown

I liked the color combination on these oil drums standing on a floating restaurant, and the matching rowboat.

Two Red Heads

Which lady is wearing a hat? Shame on me; that's not nice. But I have always wondered why many women choose this bright, bright red for a hair color.

Upside down in the mirror

It's quite common here for Roma (gypsies) of all ages, from the very youngest to adults, to beg for a few coins while cars are stopped at traffic lights. Some are quite imaginative with their begging, like this young boy who did a handstand, hoping to elicit some sympathy.

Spring Cleaning

I've decided not to wait any longer for good spring weather and to take Muse Swings' advice about spring cleaning. She'd asked several bloggers for cleaning suggestions. I hate to clean windows, as you remember from this post . Why should I when I can hire a cute team of facade fixers like these who just might be persuaded to do windows for me? Regular cleaning ladies charge about 300 dinars an hour (about $4.38), which isn't ruinous, but I think these guys are cuter, even if I have to pay a little more....

Three Crosses, Same Faith

There are three different crosses on this photo. In addition to the familiar Latin cross in the foreground, a patriarchal cross rises from one of the blue domes of the little Russian church behind St. Marko's church in Tašmajdan Park. The patriarchal cross possesses a smaller crossbar placed above the main one, so that both crossbars are near the top. Sometimes the patriarchal cross has a short, slanted crosspiece near its foot. A Latin cross with three 'buds' is called a budded cross, and you can see one on the top of Saint Marko's dome. To view an optical illusion among Saint Marko's arches, click here.

ABC Wednesday "J" is for "Jugoexport"

The 'j' in Jugoexport is pronounced as a 'Y'. Be that as it may, Jugoexport is one of the most renowned fashion houses in the country, and is now experiencing its renaissance on the domestic market. This is a close-up of part of its sign that stands atop its building just off of Belgrade's pedestrian street, Knez Mihailova.

In terms of real estate value, the property in and around Knez Mihailova Street is among the most expensive in Belgrade. In late November 2007, the 485 square meter parcel belonging to Jugoexport was sold for €15 million, which works out to some €32,000 per square meter.

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