Ramadan

Yesterday marked the end of Ramadan, the month of fasting for Muslims, where they refrain from eating, drinking, smoking or indulging from dawn until sunset.
It reminded me of being in Bosnia and Herzegovina during Ramadan.

While in Sarajevo, I heard a cannon fire at 7:20 p.m. the first night I was there. Seeing as I had spent the entire day learning about the siege of Sarajevo, it startled me.
Nothing followed the initial blast so I didn’t think anything of it until it happened again the next night.
Turns out it is the marker for the end of the day of fasting.
In Mostar, a city in the south of the country, it was even more marked, with cannon fire, fireworks and loud music marking the chance for Muslims to eat again.
It was a very cool experience being in cities where Muslims and Christians mesh so well.
I know it wasn't always like that and hope the peace is permanent.

Are we there yet?

One of the most annoying ways to end a trip, especially after very teary goodbyes, is to get stuck before you even get on the plane.

Air France found a technical problem, Bad.

That they managed to fix within two hours, Good.

That meant we missed our connecting flight before we even got on the first plane, Bad.

But, there were going to be Air France people in Paris to help us, Good.

They told us there were no more flights we could be on (to anywhere in North America) that day, even though it was only 11 AM, Bad.

They paid for a hotel, Good.

Now, I am in Paris and hoping very much the rest of the flights go as planned.

Soccer Fever

Everywhere, with the exception of North America, soccer is a national sport and pastime.
Bosnia and Herzegovina is no different than the rest of Europe.
When their team played Turkey last Wednesday night, it felt like the whole country was gathered in front of the television or packed the stadium in Sarajevo.
We joined a group at a local bar in Mostar that was projecting the game on the wall outside.
Everyone moved as a group.
A team member got a break away everyone was on their feet cheering.
A collective Boo, when he missed.
In the end they tied, which was worthy of a celebration!
Bosnia and Herzegovina faired much better than Croatia, who was loosing five to one to England, when I got disgruntled and turned off the TV.

Dubrovnik

Reaching Dubrovnik after an entire trip well off the tourist path has been a significant shocker.
Stalls selling trashy souvenirs, people yelling at locals in Spanish, Italian, and English, and overpriced, less than delicious food have taken away from the awe inspiring town.
But if you get your timing right, you’ll have a few blissful minutes to glimpse the sun setting behind the fortress wall – all alone.

Internet

Finally a half decent internet connection and one I am pretty sure I can’t destroy.

I managed to knock out internet in a small and overly expensive café in Sarajevo. I disconnected the keyboard so I could plug in my USB key and file a couple of photos for work.

Apparently I knocked something I shouldn’t have.

The guy came over randomly pulled on something then shook his finger at us.

The internet flickered to life.

I hit send on my e-mail.

Then I pulled out my USB key.

The internet died completely.

The e-mail did get through somehow.

But, we high-tailed it out of that café pretty quickly.