Blogs from Mostar, South, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Europe - page 5

26 June – got the bus to Mostar to see the Old Bridge (of course). The iconic 1566 old bridge which was rebuilt after being blown up during the “conflict”. It took 4 1/2 hrs on bus from Split to Mostar - thought it would be 3 hrs only (not). The strangely named Motel (in terms of the motel – God knows where you would park!) Kriva Cuprija (MKC), overlooks the smaller Crooked Bridge (Kriva Cuprija) which was also a victim of the conflict and has also been rebuilt. It is seen as a model for the Old Bridge. The MKC sits right above a small burbling stream which feeds into the main river and my room was right above it (as are most I think) – lovely to have no noise other than the stream ... read more

On my last afternoon in Sarajevo I visited an old synagogue, which today serves as the Jewish Museum: once again I was struck by the extreme lack of visitors (and low entry charge) at this small but interesting and informative museum. I talked at length to the curator, who I assume is a member of Sarajevo's small remaining Jewish community. Since the 15th century the city had a large, vibrant and socially-accepted Jewish community (mostly descended from Jews expelled from Spain), but under the Nazi occupation they suffered immensely. I also visited a museum next to the spot where Archduke Franz Ferdinand was killed, which was dedicated to that event and its preceding history. This was possibly the dullest and most uninformative museums I've ever visited, but as entry only cost 2KM (€1) I can hardly ... read more

We got up fairly early this morning, drove two hours on a very, very windy rode to Bosnia. (Gina almosted puked) The first time that Gina and Dad had come to Medjugorje it was this very little, very old town, with its big church that all of the pilgrims would come to. There was something about that place that used to be like magic, it was so peaceful, and holy and joyous. Well... when we got there today, 15 years later we didn't even recognize where we were. Our hearts sank as this beautful memory and place has been tarnished with ugly commercialism. There were resorts everywhere, stores all selling useless items for way to much money. This once considered holy city has now turned into a street fair. Very sad. So we climbed the famous ... read more

“The Balkans produce more history than they can consume” Winston Churchill From the first moment in Bosnia I knew I will love being here. Crossing the border from Croatia you notice that things look a little bit unordered in a manner that is not quite “European”. Right after the border crossing (with a non-English speaking guard) the Bosnian flag is followed by a …Serbian looking flag. Strange. The houses are not decorated with flowers as we got used to in Slovenia and Croatia. The feeling is that you have arrived to someplace different and not “yet-another European country”. The first village you pass has a church that looks different than the ones we saw before (its orthodox). In the second village from the border you notice a mosque. Its minaret is made of wood! That ... read more

So, I had been debating back and forth whether to make a stop in Mostar on the way to Dubrovnik, as the train ride from Sarajevo to Mostar is touted to be one of the most scenic routes in Europe. However, stopping there would cut into my already limited time in Dubrovnik, and all I could gather about what Mostar itself had to offer was .... a bridge. Bringing up this dilemma with Adnan's cousin, he INSISTED that it was worth the trip. So, that was that. Besides, no trip to Bosnia and Herzegovina is complete without actually stopping in Herzegovina. And...am I glad I did! Even with the unexpected added connections, double bus break-downs on the subsequent leg to Dubrovnik, AND double-paying to get onto the bus to Dubrovnik.... the trip to Mostar ranks as ... read more