Trip Home Days 5 & 6, Sarajevo Days 1 & 2

Ben in Front of His Office Building

Carey and I said goodbye to Cairo on the early morning of Sept. 14th, 2007 and were happy to leave. We had gotten the hostel owner to set us up with a driver (his cousin or something who had his own independent service). We agreed upon a set price for the fare, but, of course, the guy wanted baksheesh. We didn’t tip him despite his qualms and went into the airport. It was another bit of shuffling around and Carey spending his last Egyptian pounds on us to snack and hydrate. I was not looking forward to what a flight was going to do to m stomach, but it ended up being ok. Before a terribly long time we were on our way to Sarajevo. It felt good to see the Balkans and other such mountains under us once we got back into Europe. I have to admit, I feel comfortable in southeastern mountain ranges there now. I enjoy them. I’m familiar and comfortable with them. I was not so with Cairo. I’m sure that I could have gotten used to Egypt, but Cairo was too much. Once we landed Carey and I were very pleased to be able to use our Bulgarian again to communicate to others (Bulgarian and Serbo-Croation are pretty close) rather than to hide our identities as Americans. We were able to catch a cab after deciding not to use one guy who was trying to rip us off (or maybe we didn’t and did get taken for a literal ride, but I remember arguing with a cabby). Anyway, we arrived into downtown Sarajevo without too much incident (no lost luggage this time) and got in touch with Ben to meet us out in his building’s lobby. After a quick lunch of chicken sandwiches we were able to drop our bags off at Ben’s and explore the city a bit while he returned to work.

Sarajevo's Eternal Flame Dedicated to the Fallen of WWII

Carey and I did some walking around, hit up an internet cafe I’m sure, and basically just enjoyed not being in Cairo (recurring theme, I know). Afterward Ben and his then new wife Ivana met up with us and we went to a street cafe before decided to get dinner at the Sarajevo Pivaria, or brewery. We ended up there a few nights during our stay, but it was good and fun. Here are some more pictures from that first day.

Ben and Ivana at a Cafe

Bullet Holes from the War on Ben's Apartment's Outer Wall

The View from Ben's Terrace

Day 2 in Sarajevo (Sept. 15, 2007) was a Saturday, so Ben and Ivana both had the day off and were able to show us around. Our principal objective for the trip was to weave through some of the old town and make our way to a hilltop cafe called Biban. We also stopped every now and then for local delights and to just chill and enjoy the city. Here are some pics from that walk.

A Building Still Bombed Out from the War

Baščaršija, a Famous Street / Neighborhood in the Old Turkish Quarter

At a Mexican Place in Baščaršija

Carey Eating Burek, It's Hot!

Carey and Ben Sitting Opposite the Store I Was Shopping At

The Main Square in Baščaršija

Never Quite Figured Out What This Place Was, But Better Looks at it Reveal Massive Bomb Damage

The Old (Bombed Out) University Library

The Bridge Where WWI Started

A Chinese Tower Cafe, Where Later in Our Stay We Got Refreshments

Men Playing Chess During the Sarajevo Bee Festival

Ben and Ivana at Cafe Biban

Uppers + Downwers = Heaven Mid-Hike

Sarajevo from Cafe Biban

Still Newlyweds

Narrow Sidewalk

A Sarajevo Rose - Site Where a Mortar Killed Someone

After the hike Ben arranged for us to experience a rare treat. The Italian Embassy was giving a concert in the old library seen above and arranged admittance for us. It was a great night of excellent music in a beautiful old ruin of a building. They’re slowly restoring it, but much, much work was still yet to be done.