SKYWATCH FRIDAY...a bird in the hand...

...is worth at least one on your head. There was a cold, white sky when I took this photo, but then, I guess I don't have to tell you that.

The Victor wasn't dressed for the weather...

See other skies at SKYWATCH FRIDAY.

No more blank walls....or gates....

Street art is popular here, as it is in many cities, as you saw in yesterday's post. This art on a preschool's gate and inside wall was most likely created by the kids (okay, the gate...) and their teachers (the wall, maybe!) and was not the result of a casual talented passer-by. Nonetheless, it brightens up the surroundings!

ABC WEDNESDAY --"H" is for "heart"

Valentine's Day is past, but love is still in the air, or so it seems. At least it's in this park downtown.... I discovered both of these hearts not long ago. The one in the foreground is an attempt to have something to put Love Locks on. I haven't been able to find out who put it there, but imagine it was the City. The locks are on, and somehow those little papers are available to write the lovers' names on.... But passers-by who must not be in love tear them off... Better to use an indelible marker....

See more H's on ABC WEDNESDAY.

International Women's Day...

March 8th is International Women's Day, which I have written about before. There are several women in this photom even one with bright orange/red hair. The lady in the foreground was waiting for a tram to take her back home, most likely to a village not far from Belgrade. She'd been to the market across the street to sell her fresh cheese.

Her seat doesn't look too comfy....

The Čukur Fountain: Now you see it, now you don't

The bronze statue seen on the right is of a Serbian boy, who was killed in 1862 by occupying Turks in a skirmish over who had drawing rights from this fountain on Dobracina Street in downtown Belgrade. The boy's death initiated a movement for the liberation of Belgrade and other Serbian cities from Turkish rule.

This post goes out to a young Serbian lady from the US, who had written me for a photo of the fountain. I can only partially fulfill her request, since the statue you see above was stolen several months ago, and fortunately found, but very damaged. It is to be repaired and replaced soon. (I photo borrowed from another source on the Internet, whereas the photo with the wreath in honor of the missing statue is mine.)

Sunday Bridges: Bridge Over Troubled Water

I'm running out of bridges, but not imagination. Hard to believe that Bridge Over Troubled Water (click to listen to the song) dates from 1970. I did not take the above photo, at least the original, but I did photograph the old Bookends album cover I have. Before the song's release, there had been "troubled water" between the duo, and Simon and Garfunkel parted ways in 1970.

See other bridges, metaphorical or not, at Louis La Vache's Sunday Bridges.

Reflections Weekend--HOTEL ZIRA

Hotel Zira is one of Belgrade's newer hotels, located only a short walk or bus ride from the city center. The hotel The modern offers 125 stylish rooms equipped with modern communication and entertainment technology. Our school had a conference there last year, and everything was top-notch.

So if you plan a trip to Belgrade, you will find Hotel Zira to be a good choice.

And the hotel offers a reflection for REFLECTIONS WEEKEND.

SKYWATCH FRIDAY--gnarled tree and wintry sky

The title says it all! I love the colors here, which remind me of the painter Maxfield Parrish.

Check out more skies at SKYWATCH.

Knock 'em off...

Drab is this scene, except for the 'pretty' icicles. They are pretty, but dangerous as well. Several people in Belgrade have been injured by falling snow or icicles in the last couple of weeks. As I type this, we still have about 8 inches of snow, and some more fell today. By law, tenants or owners must clean the sidewalks in front of their buildings and knock off icicles (I hope they look first...) before they grow too long. I helped a friend get rid of these...and we looked down first....

ABC Wednesday "G" is for "golden"

Not real gold, nor even some kind of metal, or even a Golden Retriever. This dog, painted a golden yellow, adorns a large gate on a residence in downtown Belgrade. I believe that in art dogs lying down mean faithfulness, but am not sure. Anybody know?

Check out other G's on ABC WEDNESDAY.

THEME DAY-my favorite part of town

This may not really look like a part of town, but it is. Above is a long-lens shot of houseboats on the Sava River and a boat speeding to the New Belgrade side of the shore. I like this area, because although it is within a city, it seems like you're far out of town.

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