Sunday, December 6, 2009

A long weekend in Belgrade

Belgrade is not a particularly beautiful city. I don't think that anyone would claim otherwise. It is, however, an interesting and vibrant place full of loud, friendly people, bizarre history (some slightly rewritten), and a lot of energy. I think I'll let the photos do most of the talking for me.

These are batons given to Tito during the youth races every year. I particularly like the one with an anatomically correct heart on top.

Tito's grave
At Tito's grave compound there was a small ethnographic museum filled with gifts he had received from other countries. Rather quirky inscriptions accompanied most of the items. This is my favorite.

trout and Swiss chard for dinner

a statue near the citadel

the view of the Danube bend from the citadel

Lyla and I in front of the juncture of the two rivers

taking a rest on a bump in the bridge leading to the fortress

Why is there a giant watermelon? You clearly haven't lived in Eastern Europe. The correct question is: why wouldn't there be a giant watermelon?

some of the massive display of weaponry at the fortress

itty-bitty tank

a bit of the F-117 bomber shot down during the "NATO aggression" in 1998

the streets of Belgrade

a church spire

I ordered the "something something-style" and received a giant slab of meat in butter-cream. Happily, it was delicious!

the new Orthodox church- said to be the third biggest in the world

This photo is for Weasel: I attack a chandelier shop.

in front of the church during the day

the old artists' district of Belgrade, with the walls painted to resemble various buildings, courtyards, and alleys

a stop for a snack at a chocolate shop, where we got delicious hot cocoas and Lyla got a giant slice of a cake that tasted EXACTLY like a turo-rudi

some street art

the view of the city from a bridge crossing the Danube

4 comments:

Dad said...

Well I guess the cold preventing musical belt I was giving you for Christmas will not be a big surprise after all.

Another cool trip for the memory banks. Awesome.

Love and miss ya, Dad xoxo

Mom said...

Looks nice. Food great. Glad you had a good time. Love, MOM o0xo0x

da weez said...

just caught up on two weeks of madness for you! sounds like you're having the...dare i say it..."growing up" time of your life :D Glad you're having a good time in hungary, and that thanksgiving was fun. love the chandelier pic, and the weasel one too. touched you were thinking of me <3
cannot wait to see you in just 14 days!!! egads!!! that's just crazy. wish i had more time to spend with you, but the travel bug does run rampant in us.
miss you so much, and am counting the days till i see you

love, weez

Anonymous said...

Loved your pictures Place looked really nice. Your thanksgiving sounded real nice and foodlooked good. We all went to your moms for thanksgivibg everything was real good and lots of it. You will be home for Christmas soon can't wait to see you and kiss and hug you Love Grandma XOXO