One last stab

From early fall to late spring and sometimes like now a bit beyond, villagers come to Belgrade to sell wool sweaters, socks, and caps. They're wonderfully warm, and generally not so expensive. They make great souvenirs. This man is trying one last time, or so I imagine, to sell his wares rather than keep them for next year.

The town of Sirogojno (SEE-ro-goy-no) is famous for its fabulous sweaters. Unlike this man's, they're quite pricey, but just about everyone I know who lives here for a while has splurged on one, this writer included. Here's a link.

Sweet and tart

It's been warm and so I treated myself to a lemonade, instead of my usual cappuccino. Look at all that sugar! I actually don't put sugar in my lemonade at all, so back it went when the waiter cleared the table.

Bought the snowdrops from the man I posted a few days ago.

SUNDAY Bridges--The Serbian Minister of Defense...He Who Opens Bridges!

As nearly every week, I was having coffee (this time outdoors, hurrah) with some friends, and who should stroll by but Dragan Šutanovac, Serbian Minister of Defense. He's the one waving at me in the first photo and the one on the right in the second, still smiling. The gentleman in the lavender tie is the Minister of Defense of Ukraine, Dmitar Salamatin.

And what does this have to do with bridges, you might ask?

Last year Mr. Šutanovac opened a bridge in Mazarac, Serbia, and also one in Svilajnac, which you can read about here and here.

Check out more bridge posts at Louis La Vache's SUNDAY BRIDGES.

WEEKEND REFLECTION--the water glass

Not Perrier or even any sparkling water; just ordinary tap bubbles.

See other reflections at James' WEEKEND REFLECTION.

SKYWATCH --Sit on an ear

Kalemegdan's famous statue, seen from the (ahem) rear. There was a gray sky to view if you chose to sit on one of these ear-shaped benches, donated to parks around Belgrade by Telenor, the mobile phone folks. You can see a watermelon to sit on right here.

Check out other skies at SKYWATCH.

Dry-docked

A little color today. This boat is being spiffed up for spring. I would love to have seen how they put it up on those barrels.

ABC WEDNESDAY "J" is for "Jump into spring"

"Jumping" into spring is what I've been waiting so long to do. Not a cold weather fan anymore. I just couldn't resist buying snowdrops from this springishly dressed man.... Two bunches for 100 dinars, which is about $1.25.

See other "J's" at ABC Wednesday.

Chimney Cakes

Have you ever eaten chimney cakes? I've seen them being made at village fairs in northern Serbia near the Hungarian border and also last November in Prague. They're good... Sweet dough is wrapped around a wooden cylinder and then either baked or fried (baked here), then coated with your favorite topping...chocolate, hazelnut, walnut, cinnamon...or a combination of those.

Miss Representation

Last week I went to see a showing of Miss Representation, a documentary film shown courtesy of the American Corner here in Belgrade and followed by a panel/audience discussion. This film deals with how women are portrayed in the media....and readers, it's getting worse, not better. I highly recommend this documentary if it is shown in your area. If you click on the above link, you'll see that you can even arrange for a showing in your area.

SUNDAY BRIDGES--The Military Museum

Kalemegdan Park also houses a large indoor and outdoor military museum. Not of the least interest to me, but I needed a bridge for Louis La Vache's SUNDAY BRIDGES!

That cute little black dog doesn't look too interested either....

WEEKEND REFLECTION--glasses

Pretty much every Tuesday I have coffee with friends at a cafe downtown. While waiting for them to show, I snapped these glasses. You're never bored with your camera...

See other reflections at James' WEEKEND REFLECTION.