Back in the saddle
I've been away to the UK and Ireland for almost two weeks now. I returned today. I must admit that although 'getting away' from here is a prerequisite for maintaining my sanity...i almost always miss it when i'm gone.
We all know how civilized and polite the stereotypes of the English are. I guess there is a reason for stereotypes, as unfair or inaccurate as they may be. But after two weeks i sort of got used to people being rather polite, queuing in an orderly fashion, and having loads of tea with milk and a lump of sugar.
It didn't take long for the Bosnian stereotypes to rear their heads upon our arrival today. As we descended i was, once again, in awe of the beautiful mountains and thick forests that dominant airplane views of our little country. I was happy to be home. The plane landed and before the plane came to a halt about 30 people stood up to get to their overhead luggage first. The stewardess kindly ask for everyone to return to their seats - a fair request as the plane was still moving. No one reacted. She then had to basically shout over the loudspeaker for people to return to their seats. Half did, half completely ignored the ruffled stewardess.
I laughed. So did Sabina. Bosnians don't like rules. Nor do we pay much attention to them. We're a lot of closet anarchists if you ask me. But that's for another discussion. We exited the plane and the first breath of fresh Bosnian air was, guess what, an airport hall filled with the smell of smoke. Being two weeks away most definitely spoiled me. I could go to pubs and restaurants and not be overwhelmed the stinch of cigarettes. Sorry folks, i know Bosnia and cigarettes are like Greece and Feta and Italy and pasta....but i really can't stand the things.
So we waited a while in line at passport control. We chuckled again. It seems like all ten planes that arrive daily in Sarajevo came at once. The lines were long, but hey, we were home.
Our last memory of leaving Sarajevo was being overcharged by a taxi driver from Dobrinja. We had a two minute ride that cost us about the same as a ride from Grbavica to the airport. Tradition would hold strong. We took a taxi home from the airport. We figured we'd be slightly overcharged but he got us good this time. Good ole honest taxi drivers. They are either the kindest and most helpful of people or rather pitiful petty thieves. There doesn't seem to be much in between - worldwide.
Now being that i'm in the tourism business to some extent...i know the cost of a taxi ride to the centre of town. That's about what we paid to get home to Dobrinja, where, by the way, we can see the far east end of the runway from our balcony. Yes, we are that close.
So, it's home sweet home. Back in our beloved Bosna. It's nice to be here folks. I'll tell you about my trip in the coming days. As usual, my time spend abroad involved thinking and talking about Bosnia....a lot.
peace
