Good Morning, Belgrade!

Or should I say: Добро јутро, Београде!

Just a quick update (mainly for Natalie): it’s amazing! It’s inspiring and fun and the people are so friendly. I will surely post a lot more about this experience once I get back home.

A Lil’ Something

The sun is shining, the city is covered in snow. The coffee mug is starting to run empty. One last day before the Easter holidays, and you know what that means… Belgrade. Yesterday we went to get some reading for the trip.

23/3. Food.

Steamed veggies (potato, carrot, onion & garlic) with smoked salmon and feta cheese. Very tasty, indeed.

Short Break.

I have a 5000-word assignment that needs to be handed in at midnight tomorrow. I’m halfway through and taking a break. Sometimes a break is needed. Phew. The topic is interesting, I’m toying around with EU foreign policy and Russia. Foreign policy is always hot. Foreign policy and Russia seem to be my destiny, somehow I always end up with those two.

I know I have been neglecting you all for a while – it should get better soon. Below are some photos of what time has been spent on lately. As you can see, it’s pretty much nothing.

I was happy to find my favourite shampoo in Slovakia. Shoes have been bought for spring. I have taken photos of myself, eating rice cookies and overdosing on coca cola. Apart from that trips have been planned, uni courses chosen for autumn, etc etc etc.

After deciding to stay in Slovakia, I’ve also been thinking about the stuff I’d like to do here. Blog and write more. Learn Slovak. Translate. Go to yoga. Go to the gym more often. Detox and cook more.

A Love Story Of Sorts Or No Fear Of Flying

Sometimes one just knows. One feels.

A very short while back I was offered a job at the place where I did my internship last summer. That place I really liked, remember? Had that offer come a few weeks earlier, I would’ve said yes. Without hesitation, without doubt.

I said no.
This city has gotten to me. Its narrow streets, glimmering church towers, its greyness. The sunrise over the Danube, the cafés, the grumpy shop assistants. The beauty of the language.

I thought about going home. I thought about it non-stop for four days, intensely. I cried on someone’s shoulder. My family wanted me back, my friends told me to go, he who holds me tight in the mornings when I wake up said he wouldn’t want to stand in my way. Even my brother, with whom I speak extremely sporadically gave me a lecture through Facebook.

I still said no.

The greyness of Bratislava, the sunshine in my face, the lightness in my feet and the laughter that comes so easily. I’m happy here.

Right now is not the time.

You asked how I’m doing – I’m very happy. This risk of not going back to the safe and known is one that I’m more than willing to take.

Ярким солнцем, синей далью, В летний полдень любоваться..

A little sad. Very confused. Unable to focus.

I should read about EU foreign policy and write an amazing essay on the topic.

Right now I just want to give some hugs.

And two weeks from now we will be in Belgrade. That’s something I have been dreaming about for over twenty years.

And I can’t stop thinking of how much I like Bratislava. And my feelings toward the Slovak language have become very passionate.

Wee Bit Of Inspiration…

…from H&M. In love with colours, as always.

šťastie. happiness.

Many photos. Few words. The good days start at night.

One must wear clothes.

Spring is here.

Loving people. Loving words. Loving life <3

Kapustnica.

Lately.

So, this is what has been happening in and out of Bratislava lately.

• The Dutch Happy Birthday-song is one of the funniest things I have heard in a long, long time.
• Lidl is having a Scandinavian week so I have been stocking up on cloudberry jam and rye crisp bread.
• There have been lots of good news from home. And actually, there is one thing that is making me very, very happy as well.
• Last night we climbed up Slavin. The view over Bratislava was amazing.

 

• Today we also went to Vienna, where we were exploring industrial areas, residential areas and parks. We managed to get what we went there for, though.

• The ballerina season has finally started!
• 

Spring.

Bittersweet.

Water dripping down my back. Passport. Notebook. Camera. Some cash. Good company.

Ready to head south.