Jul 6, 2022

Bulgaria

While further east, Bulgaria is another country that's part of the Balkans. Unlike the other countries I visited in the region, Bulgaria was not part of Yugoslavia and speaks their own Slavic language, Bulgarian. When I first arrived in the Balkans, I felt that no one was smiling and I began to learn how to keep a more straight face, but I was surprised upon arriving in Bulgaria that I had the same feeling again even though I thought I had already adjusted to this difference in the Balkans. Maybe Bulgaria takes it even more seriously?

Jun 14, 2022

Serbia

Serbia isn't on the map for most tourists thinking of scenic destinations, but because Belgrade was the capital of Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (SFRY), it is home to the largest city in any of the former Yugoslav countries. Compared to Montenegro and Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia is very flat and has many agricultural fields using that flat space. Like Bosnia and Herzegovina, the history of Orthodoc, Ottoman, and Jewish influence has left the country a multicultural hub.

Jun 5, 2022

Travel Surprises Part 1

When traveling, you're guaranteed to encounter surprises, new ideas, or situations that make you question (or even change) your assumptions. These are a few items I have encountered so far, but this is part 1 with more to come.

Jun 4, 2022

Bosnia and Herzegovina

Bosnia and Herzegovina may have the most interesting history of the Balkan countries, and not just recent history. The country still has an interesting fusion of features from the Ottoman empire, Austro-Hungarian empire, and Yugoslavia. Mostar has had four religions (Orthodox Christians, Catholic Christians, Muslims, and Jews) living in the same city for centuries.