Bosnia and Herzegovina



My last trip this summer was to Montenegro's neighbor(s?) to the West: Bosnia and Herzegovina. I went with my dear Ana, she who was good enough to take care of my deceased Phantom while I was gone in Greece. Anyone who is willing to find a pet cemetery that will bury your cat while you are out of the country truly must have a heart of gold! This is the litmus test for goodness. Anyway, it was the least I could do to take her on an adventure to Sarajevo by way of Mostar, and this we did one adventurous weekend.



The drive to and from Bosnia and Herzegovina from Montenegro is really fantastic. The whole way there and back, one winds through mountains and canyons, beside rivers and lakes. The mountains themselves range from arid and rocky to forested and nearly tropical, and each kilometer of the road greets you with new and fabulous spectacles of natural beauty.



Our first stop in Bosnia and Herzegovina was in the town of Mostar, named for the high, elegant bridge ("Most" in the local language) that spans the river and connects the city's halves. Even when the river was low (as it was then) intrepid divers plunge from the bridge into the water below, making for an interesting sight. But it is the architecture and winding alleys of the little town that makes this place truly special.




After a brief stop we continued on to Sarajevo. Sarajevo is a beautiful town nestled into a small, tree-lined valley. The modern visitor, however, is immediately reminded of the wars that transpired here. It is creepy to see a place, wonder why it looks familiar, and then recall that one had seen that same city burning with plumes of smoke on CNN. Though the city has been largely repaired since then, the over-spilling plots of gravestones that mark the city and the valley's walls are enough to remind one of the tragedy that had transpired here.





Despite the echoes of the past, however, Sarajevo is a beautiful, lively, and intriguing town. It certainly feels more oriental than Montenegro, as the towering minarets and bazaars of the old town make one feel the lingering presence of Ottoman influence in the region. Whether ambling through shops selling hookas or thick embroidered carpets, or otherwise enjoying the Muslim culture through visiting a mosque or drinking at a small tea shop, one feels as though transported from Europe to the Middle East.





Our stay, indeed, was too short, but the weekend quickly drew to a close. Our return trip was just as scenic as the voyage there, and passing through Montenegro were able to appreciate the canyons and mountains of this country more. Altogether, my venture to Bosnia and Herzegovina was an ideal way to round out the adventures of the summer.