The Former Yugoslavia.

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I assume everyone knows that Andrew and I did not start walking again after our canine companions forced us to stop... Andrew traveled westward to Italy then Spain using the Mediterranean ferry system, while I tootled around the Balkan States that were once Yugoslavia.

The Eastern Bloc countries (ex-communist European countries) are a fascinating part of the continent! Yugoslavia's communist era fell in 1991 and then the country started to fall apart, splitting into 7 separate nations by 2008 (Kosovo being the world's newest country). Perhaps more countries will be born in the near future? The entire area has a turbulent and sometimes violent history, yet the people remain optimistic and hopeful about security and stability.

I think one of my fondest memories of the Balkans was chatting with Lena, a Bosnian lady. She told me about how she had to run from gunfire carrying her child, she got shot in the arm (she showed me her scar) but she didn't feel a thing as she ran for her and her child's life. She said that the people were all in a kind of trance, tired from running and sleepless nights, drained from poor food and nutrition, yet everyday there was laughter and fun. The people played cards at night and told jokes, drank beer and smoked cigarettes, then in the morning they ran and hid, only to return at night and play and tell jokes again. Every so often of course, there were less people to laugh with... I enjoyed a coffee with Lena and I bought some of her home made goodies.

I am now back in Canada, although I almost got deported from the USA and sent back to London. For all you British passport holders out there, did you know that you have to apply for an American visa in advance now? You cant just rock up at the border anymore and expect to be let in?

One last note.
Theresa and I would like to say a big thank you to all of our readers, and that we do read all of the comments and messages, but don't respond to them all. We do like to hear from you.... Dave.

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Photos

Corfu Island, from Albania
Albania was not part of the former Yugoslavia, but it was the last part of the Eastern Bloc to become non-communist.

Poverty in Tirana
Albania (Shqiperia) is one of Europe's poorest nations, however it is also one of the friendliest.

The funnel
Funnel clouds forming over the town of Durresi, Albania.

The mountains of Macedonia.
Most of Macedonia (Makedonia) is mountainous.

For sale
Traditional Macedonian fabrics for sale.

Galicica National Park
Ancient ruins on the shore of Lake Ohrid, Southern Macedonia

Taking to the air
Cormorants on Lake Ohrid

The two ladies
Statues in the Macedonian capital, Skopje.

A cold view.
Fresh snowfall in Djakovica, Kosovo.

Stuck in snow.
Southwestern Kosovo.

Transportation.
Southern Kosovo.

War damage.
Many of the houses in Kosovo were damaged during the war a few years ago.

The old, walled town of Budva.
There are many walled towns in Montenegro, (Crna Gora).

Shovelling snow.
The old Montenegro capital of Cetinje is more than a mile above sea level.

Kotor.
The old town of Kotor, Montenegro.

Kotor Fjord.
The most southern fjord system in Europe, Montenegro.

Comments

[Sarah Giles]

really!
Dave, as a British passport holder I did not know about that little travel detail...thanks for the tip! I'm sure it will one day spare me a lot of trouble. Here's my travel tip -- if you should up in Australia to work on a 4 year 422 visa and happen to have forgotten to get the stamp put in your passport in Canada...no one cares! I lost about 45hrs of sleep over this non-issue...whew!

[Stacey Dee]

Fantastic
Dave, it sounds like your latest adventures have exceeded your expectations. Continue to spead the love to all you meet - what a great gift you have. Stacey