ORTHODOX PRIEST

 Holiday times are upon us, and also here in Serbian many families have a special saint's day sometime during the year. One of the largest is Saint Nikola's, falling on December 19th.  The joke goes that half of Belgrade celebrates that slava (saint's day) and the other half comes as guests. Not far off, really.

This priest may be headed to Saint Mark's cathedral, just a couple hundred meters away.

THEME DAY -- COMFORT FOOD

When I am feeling a cold coming on, I make plain spaghetti with LOTS of garlic and black pepper. Honestly, so soon after Thanksgiving I don't feel like making spaghetti now for this theme day, so I'm going with my second favorite.

I love alphabet soup with added corn, accompanied by a toasted cheese sandwhich. Where I am in the world determines the kind of bread and cheese, but it tastes really good no matter where I am.

See other comfort foods on THEME DAY.

MONDAY MURALS--your guess is as good as mine

 I have my friend Marianne to thank for this mural. Your guess is as good as mine. What do you think it represents?

See other murals on MONDAY MURALS.

WEEKEND REFLECTIONS --HOTEL METROPOL

 I walk my dog every morning in the park near Hotel Metropol, which underwent renovation a few years back. Here you see a reflection of part of the hotel reflected in yet another part.

See other reflections on James' WEEKEND REFLECTIONS.

ALL ALONE AM I

 Here it is Thanksgiving in the United States...and in expat homes abroad like mine. However, this year for a reason we all know too well, I am  not having my son and his family over. I feel horrible about this as do they, but we all agree celebrating in a closed space just doesn't seem like a good idea this  year. They are all seemingly healthy and I think I am, too, but they do have two small children who have been in school...and COVID is insidious; children could  be silent carriers.

So, in order that we can all be together next year (I certainly hope so!) we'll pass on our celebration, at least together. I still plan on making a Thanksgiving dinner, but my son will come and pick it up.

The lady on the bench could be me, minus a few years and the crutches, and the statues could represent my family holding their heads and saying, "Oh, woe!"

HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO ALL OF YOU WHO CELEBRATE, TOGETHER OR SEPARATELY.

Last one from Arandjelovac

I think these wall decorations, Secessonist style, I think, are so beautiful.  Fortunately both in Arandjelovac and in Belgrade, the cities do too, and they are being protected.

 

MONDAY MURALS--perception

 Sadly, I think this is how some people view the US.

See other murals on MONDAY MURALS.

SHADOW SHOT SUNDAY -alone with his thoughts

 He wasn't exactly alone. I was just down the same pedestrian street on another bench.

See other shadows on SHADOW SHOT SUNDAY.

WEEKEND REFLECTIONS--big, big

 In New Belgrade I spotted two BIG reflections above a new Mexican restaurant. The name of the restaurant as you can see is Buena Vida. Not sure what customers see on the inside, but you certainly get a 'buena vista' from outside.

See more reflections on James' WEEKEND REFLECTIONS.

Prince Mihailo's Plane Tree

This magnificent and majestic plane tree was planted in 1867 by Prince Mihailo Obrenovic.  I've posted about him before, and if you like, click here to read about him.  This tree is in Arandjelovac, where I recently made a day trip.

 

Some Sculptures from Arandjelovac

Part of a sculpture Man and Dog, both creatures being embedded deep in the stone 

with only parts visible.

Untitled.

Statue of 19th century Montenegrin poet Petar II Petrović-Njegoš.

Mother and child.

Untitled

Nandi the Bull by an Indian sculptor, 1979

If you can see a bull here, let me know. I see something else. Or maybe that's the point.