MISTAKENLY BOMBED??

 

This beautiful (my opinion) building is the Chinese Cultural Center in New Belgrade. It stands on the site of the former Chinese Embassy that was bombed a US bomber in the NATO bombing of Serbia in 1999.

NATO sources said it was an 'accident'and that  they had intended to strike a suspected arms-supply facility. Where that is/ was is unclear to me.

Their excuse was that they were using outdated maps. Oh, please...all that high-tech precision bombing and they had old maps? Oh, please....

END OF AN ERA

 

What is to be....

Another Belgrade landmark bites the dust, joining some iconic cafés, a bridge, and a couple other places cherished by locals.

Read more about this hotel RIGHT HERE. When I first came to Belgrade in early 1977, we lived just across the street. Now it is being torn down to build a huge apartment tower (or perhaps two...) with another hotel in there somewhere....

IRIŠKI TELEVISION TOWER

 

The Iriški television tower stands on a forest area called Fruška Gora near Novi Sad. Yesterday my son's family and I went on a short hike through the forest, then for lunch at a nearby hotel/restaurant.

You can see that although the tower still serves its purpose, it has been damaged. Here's why:  "The tower was built in 1975 and its lower basket was partly destroyed during the NATO bombing of Yugoslavia. Sources estimate that the tower was hit by over 50 missiles.The damage was estimated to be at 11.5 million dollars."

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

 

It had to happen, I guess. Way too early, especially when Serbian Christmas doesn't take place until January 7th, as per Orthodox church calendar. Santa comes here on New Year's Eve. 

BACK....

Back in Belgrade. Was missing burek while in India and now I am missing India!

 

CROSS-CULTURE BREAKFAST

 

Have been in India one week. I brought my hostess some ajvar, which she found goes very well on a chapati.

URBAN GOAT

 

Perhaps not a sight you'd come acroos within city limits, but a family of Roma live in the woods on this lot with chickens, geese, and a nanny goat. The latter is tethered here.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

 It was my daughter-in-law's birthday yesterday and her mother had this absolutely scrumptious cake made. Nuts, bananas, chocolate, whipped cream... Not light by any means, but hey, birthdays come but once a year.

BACK TO WET

After a long dry spell, we're back to wet for the next few days. I am not sorry, nor is  this snail.
 

SIDEWALK ART

 

These little mosaics have been appearing on sidewalks around town.

GO GREEN

 

 You can have your picture taken with this green fellow for 200 dinars or just under $2.00. I opted out, but he is cute.