Kristamy and Danny M do Novi Sad Pt. 2

Walking across the bridge to the fortress. Somehow Kristina managed to never actually visit the clock tower, so we had to go up and cross that off her bucket list.

A little Chuck Norris in the alley way.

A painting of Novi Sad on the wall of the underpass.

Excited mail and eggs.

Dancing/Fighting people on their way up/down the staircase.

Does this mean I can't park my military object here, or that due to the current presence of a military object, I am unable to park here? Also, what counts as a military object? Uniforms, guns, tanks, soldiers? Do they have to be "parkable" to count? It looks like no military objects in the form of people. They don't seem parkable at all.

The Novi Sad clock tower. The hands are switched so that the passing boat captains could see what time it was more easily.

Green means a happy death when on your way to the fortress.

The fortress of Novi Sad is built on an extensive network of tunnels. These tunnels had smoke coming out of them. This is obviously where the Hobos live. Also, not a place you want to just wander in to explore.

Just like the one in Belgrade, something about Mel Gibson being tortured here? You know the movie I'm talking about.

I love this man chilling in the heat of the fortress. He was using someone's advertisement as a sun shield and yelling at a guy across the way. He was in his board shorts like he was going to tan, but that seemed a bit unnecessary. It did seem a bit ingenious, though.

We had to get Kristina an Index Sandwich. This is essentially what she lived off of last summer and was dying for another taste. Apparently, they only make them in Novi Sad ... there is also a shop in the same block as me here in Belgrade.

It was also Fanta Day. This is the root of my addiction. They had these Fanta people wandering around the square, popping cans of free Fanta open for the people walking through.

This is what the fortress would look like if it were painted on a horse.

You know what's hardcore? The Catholic Church, at least according to this artist.

No Comment.

Also no comment.

Kristamy and Danielle do Novi Sad (Part One)

Danielle creeped--her creeper camera is just out of frame--on the Novi Sad Exit Festival info tent with beanbag chairs and on the six men rolling a large spool of cable across the square. Danielle accompanied Kristiamy (Kristina and me) on a weekend getaway to Novi Sad, Serbia.

     Kristina and I had a free weekend and were able to visit her old stomping grounds from back in the day--last summer. We took Danielle along and had quite the (unintentionally) adventurous day. There are quite a few photos, so I'll break it up for you. Be sure to actually check back in a few days for the next two blog entries. Only then can you get the full Novi Sad experience. There are more pictures, and waiting for you at the end is a **ed. note: exciting** disastrous train story waiting for you. Here we go:

Our first stop after arriving: Harvey's. For legit American hamburgers. This was a way bigger deal to Danielle and me. Kristina can still remember American hamburgers.

So that YouTube video starring Bon Qui Qui has apparently reached Serbia in the form of a Chinese Restaurant. Talk about diversity. **ed. note: If you're like me and don't know what Amy's ever talking about, go here.**

Kristina led us to the Jewish Synagogue--which is closed except for concerts.

The "Exit Festival" lineup. Or as it should be called,  the "Festival of Aging Rockers" lineup. 

A Ballerina in the town center.

You read it as New York, too, didn't you?

Random Knight in Shining Armor keeping an eye on the square.

When Danielle first looked at this, she thought it said "Satanica." So every time I saw it, I thought of that, too.

Last time I was here, there were no tables because it was winter and too cold to sit outside. It's a much more picturesque scene with everyone drinking coffee in the heat.

The insect flags advertising the Warrior Music Fest. Serbs love them some music, and Summer is festival season.

The Catholic church.

Girl statue. Note: She is not peeing. What you're seeing is just an unfortunate placement of water jets.

Goose family. Is it a gaggle of geese?

The blue fist of something or other.

Favorite graffiti of the day: Capitalism kills. Kill Capitalism.

I think geese are territorial when it comes to their babies--just like bears. Look at how close they are getting and letting their kids get. Though that girl already has a cast on her arm; her safety standards are a bit lacking anyway.

Just some flowers on concrete to make your day.

Our view while walking along the bridge to the fortress.

Though difficult to see, there are locks attached to the railing. This is Novi Sad's own interpretation of a "love bridge." Lovers bring a lock to the bridge, attach it, and throw the key over the side. The ritual is supposed to show that the relationship will remain unbroken.

Kristina Week 3 and 4

This is Kristina and me at a protest against the eviction of the sweetest little lady ever. Those are the police in the background, and this is before it got really intense. (Blog post to come)

I know this is late and a bit of a cop out to combine weeks together, but give me some credit here. I have about six posts from this week that will give more Kristina info. So it will all even out. Here's an overview:

We traveled to Novi Sad and had way too many adventures for the short time we were there.

This is hard to see, but the Israel's apartment building caught on fire--again.

We went shopping in the American section of a popular mall store. We have actually seen people wearing these.

We celebrated my birthday eve--more to come on that.

Kristina took photos of everything (including this gem of a self portrait) during my actual birthday celebration.

We got our faces painted outside the grocery story and went to Cirque Du Soleil. 

We started hanging out at Second Baptist Church and took our new friend Boris the Ninja along.

So here is your overview and teaser. Over the next few days I'll show you even more pictures and share more stories of our adventures.

Serbian Anniversary

Exactly one year ago today, I landed in the Belgrade Airport to begin my 22-month term here in Serbia. I am now officially one year in--with less than a year to go.

Time is funny here in Serbia. The days are infinitely long, but the weeks disappear before you realize it. As I reflect back on this last year, I am astounded by the things that have occurred, and I'm incredibly excited about what is to come.

I won't get all mushy, but I will recount some highlights:

1. Visits to Hungary, Croatia, and Macedonia, as well as many different Serbian cities and villages.
2. Making friends in all of those countries, as well as meeting various short-term workers that have also become excellent.
3. A group of twos: Two different offices, two different roommates, two different apartments, two instances of my temperamental washing machine flooding my bathroom, and two cats.
4. Movie nights and Bible studies = relationships built on late nights and laughter.
5. Several sketchy train rides (including getting on the wrong one) and a few atrocious bus trips.
6. Turkish pants, soft pants, choco o'clocks, feta cheese, kinder eggs/hippos, and chicken rolled in bacon--little things that make my Serbian life go round.
7. Being removed from the bus and fined by Jersey shore extras.
8. A nine-day visa.
9.  My first true snow-filled winter. Including seeing a bus driver remove the ice from underneath the bus with a blow torch.
10. Countless stories of how God has moved in this country and in my own life.

So here we are. One more month of summer volunteers and then the Serbian vacation month, fall, snowy winter, and spring--and with it comes my return home. Ten months to see even more awesomeness, make even more friends, and enjoy even more time here in this fabulous country. So thank you all for your continued support and for reading all of my ridiculousness. I promise to keep it coming!