25 YEARS AGO

 A child and his parents stop at a monument to the children who perished during the 1999 NATO bombing of Serbia 25 years ago.

COOL PLACE ON A HOT DAY

 Ah, summer....by the calendar not quite yet, but it's hot. One of my favorite places to go is just across the street from me. I enjoy coffee there on colder days and an ice cream when it's hot. Petković Sweet Shop, founded in 1901.

MORDECAI IS LEAVING

 A few years back I went with a friend to Krakow.  Visited places in this beautiful city including the Jewish Quarter. I came across this little hand-carved, wooden rabbi that I bought to accompany my then pocket Serbian traveler,  Radovan, whom you can see RIGHT HERE.

Up until recently they have shared shelf space and Radovan has come along on a couple of other trips.  

But now, because I am downsizing and trying to gift some of my 'stuff' to friends who might give it a good home, a Jewish friend of mine is going to take Mordecai to the BELGRADE SYNAGOGUE where he will be appreciated.

ALL LAID OUT

 Morning is time for a strong Turkish coffee.

DRYING OUTDOORS

 Few people own dryers here and I believe that is true for most of Europe. People use drying racks indoors or clotheslines that are on their terraces. I do have a dryer, but use an indoor rack to save electricity, wear and tear on clothes.

INVASION

 Starbucks is everywhere and now here in Belgrade. This photo is of classic Serbian cakes in a local sweetshop...but look what is also offered...

GLORIOUS

 Every year in later spring, the linden trees bloom in all their glory and intoxicating scent. I just can't get enough of bith their magnificence and fragrance.

TRAVEL IN STYLE

 

For those of you who like to flaunt something really different at the airport, now about some Nikola Tesla luggage covers? And you don't even have to fly Air Serbia. 😜

SERBIAN BREAKFAST

 I love to go out for breakfast. Today I went with two friends to an old- school Serbian restaurant.  It serves classic dishes like moussaka, stews, a variety of soups like nettle soup, roast meats, and a score of other mouth-watering dishes. Few people go out for breakfast here or if they do, they look for a more western breakfast. Above you will see what I had:  yummy polenta made with a creamy cheese (not visible; melted!) and chunks of a kind of feta cheese.  Strong black coffee. One of my friends' feta cheese, two eggs, small salad, and Serbian sausages is just across the table.

BOTANICAL GARDEN

 Peeking through the iron railings thst cover one side of Belgrade's Botanical Garden, I caught this lovely scene. The wooden structure there is, I believe, birdhouses for sparrows.

GUARDIAN

 If you check MY POST FROM LAST SUNDAY, you will see that I warded off three young hooligans who were intending to steal some chocolate and 200 dinars from this sleeping homeless person. Today I see he has a new guardian; a plastic lion someone left there.