A week in Belgrade
Well it’s been a week since I’ve touched down in Serbia and enjoyed the amazing city of Belgrade! Yep, time has flown. And, what a cool place to visit!
Not sure exactly what I expected before I arrived, but it’s unlike most things I envisaged before I left Australia. Yes, the city has some incredible old architecture but I didn’t expect the sight of countless, almost derelict buildings, sitting right next to beautiful modern and very contemporary structures which could be at home in any modern city in the world. Many of these ancient and crumbling edifices still hide current businesses which seem to come alive at night. This city never sleeps… it’s busy, manic, restful, noisy, peaceful, exciting, friendly, and welcoming, all at the same time.
Travelling with a Serbian partner certainly helps with communication and quickly learning the history of this place, but most people seem to be able to understand the limited ramblings of the Aussie speaking English anyway. English language signs are everywhere so it makes it pretty easy anyway.
Some quick thoughts
Belgrade is larger than I thought, history is everywhere, many buildings are incredibly ornate, nobody seems to work, not too many tourists, food is cheap and tasty as hell, alcohol is very cheap and very accessible, Rakia is the favourite local drink and is min 40% alcohol and usually stronger(!), public transport is everywhere and cheap (nobody seems to pay!), every single tiny building in every street appears to house some sort of business in tiny spaces, culture and history is treasured, nobody paints or maintains much unless it’s brand new (though this adds to the character in the city and beyond), statues and monuments are everywhere, coffee is life here(!) and high quality, people are very friendly and welcoming, the city is quite noisy and fast, the outer streets are like living in the past, every guy seems to be over 6 foot tall, ALL Serbian women are very beautiful, most people are well dressed, houses are small and old, there are lots of massive apartment buildings from the post war era, and the traffic is MANIC! Yep, lets elaborate…
Traffic, cars and drivers
If you choose to drive in Serbia, especially in Belgrade, you are CRAZY! Watching the traffic and local “drivers” is like a cross between a Formula 1 race and the Dodgem Cars at a local show! There simply does not seem to be ANY road rules. Even though in the city, most cars are pretty modern, how they are not all damaged beyond repair is beyond me.
Coming from Australia where it is generally illegal to sound your car horn unless it is an emergency, it is an assult on the senses to visit Belgrade where blasting your car horn for any reason whatsoever seems to be a national pastime! If the lights change and you haven’t moved in 100/th of a second you get blasted. If you don’t let someone cujt you off, you get blasted. If you don’t drive at twice the speed of sound in tiny lanes, you get blasted. Ok, I’m AM used to it after a week, but it takes some getting used to!
And the people who have the nerve to actually cycle anywhere here between this mayhem? You are the bravest people I know! Cars park ANYWHERE on footpaths, side of roads, in front of building in entrances, or wherever they can. AND most cars are parked that close to one an another, I have no idea how you could exit a parking spot without either a guide or a can opener. Truly the best AND the worst drivers here!
Highlights so far…
In a week there have been many highlights (mentioned above) but a few stand out. Very friendly locals, great food and drink, beautiful interesting buildings, town centre square area is like Hollywood Blvd but without the pretentiousness, Novi Sad is a beautiful small town just a very quick Bullet Train ride away but well worth the visit, everything is pretty affordable, great lively nightlife, city has undeniable welcoming buzz about it, weather has been incredible so far, drivers are maniacs, women are ALL beautiful, ‘80s retro music is everywhere in cafes and I love it, local vegetables are that fresh they taste like fruit, you can buy anything in numerous tiny shops everywhere, public transport is great and people are respectful while travelling on it, ans so much more…
This week…
In the coming week I have a local Wedding (No, it’s not mine, at least I don’t think so!), a cemetery visit, a city bus tour, visits to local markets, and lots more coffee and great food! Stay tuned!
