Saturday, December 30, 2006

Our long journey: a figure 8 through europe



We found ourselves on the side of the road at a gas station with 6 mechanics and no gas. Coincidently, I locked both our car keys and our jackets in the car. This is how the journey began, with James and I running around a random Bosnian hamlet looking for a metal coat hanger and Paul waiting patiently on the side of the road with little than a t-shirt on in the frost. 1 hour later we were back in the car with no aid of the mechanics and only Paul's clever hand and James' street fighter wit.
Stop number two : Zagreb for some sausage at a market. Then our first night sleeping on the side of the road in Kitty. Bundled up in layers of warmth we slept cozily into the morning, and wound up the next day in Vienna.

They sell Poopsicles all over the place in Vienna. Paul would be a hit!!!

Tuesday, December 05, 2006

Poncho Paul and his Gang

The Coffee in Bosnia is strong enough to stop your heart but it comes served ever so beautifully on these wonderful copper sets.











Last week we played the Canadian edition of Canium with some American friends. We were out of play dough so we some soft cheese instead. Fun was had by all as the wine kept being poured.




Do these Ponchos look familiar? We discovered them at the Jenkins old residence. Thinking they were little fleecy blankets we look them home only to later realize their multi purposes uses. Now we make our guest wear them for warmth and style. Sorry little nieces you’re not getting these back.

Sunday, December 03, 2006

In the thick of the Fog


Up above our house the mountain looks beautiful. It's only about a ... 1 hour walk up. Look down below, yes indeed we are living in a huge cloud. The whole valley of Sarajevo and area has been in this cloud for about a week. No planes are landing or taking off. Everything is moving in slow motion and everyone's mood matches the grumpiness of the fog. It's like living at a highschool dance... when they put on those wretched smoke machines to make Stairway to heaven more unbarable for all of it's award 25 minute lengh. I guess Paul and I will just have to keep on dancing.
left

A Differnt Perspective

Look again. Bosnia and Herzegovina has absolutely no fast food chains, although it tries it's best to bring western charm to it's eating establishments. Hamby King looks just like Burger Kinger, however, the food is subpar. Whomever thought it was a good idea to put cabbage into a cheese buger was an idiot. Plus they do not serve fountain pop, but rather a measly glass of coke that tastes like rust. The lady behind the counter seemed confused and totally uninterested when we wanted to pay at the till. Thinking we were honest folk she brought out our meal on cute plastic trays and and waited for us to pay at the end. Did I mentioned we were the only folks in the establishment aside from a couple who were clearly chewing their food and feeding it to eachother with their mouths.

The sheep roam near the mine fields at the Volkswagon plant. Clearly this field is "safe" since a shepard has led his flock onto it. These hefty beasts are large enough to trigger mines. Sheep who seemingly are "lamb of god" kind of animals are actually quite dirty and disgusting. I am considering throwing out all of my woolen sweaters.


They have finally started to demine the field next to our house, after some poor drunk chap stumbled into to the bushes to take a leak and "kamboom!!!". The yellow tape means they are in the the process of going over the field with a fine toothed comb to remove all the land mines planeted there. The general rule in Bosnia is do not walk on the grass. So much of the nature around us looks prestine and has been reclaimed by animals who frotic in delight that men have set traps for themselves, and not for the creature of the forest.

Thursday, November 23, 2006

More Slpit Fun


The palm trees were so beautiful. They made me think if shishtaok roasters, but alas no loose meat was to be had. Instead we ate Dalmation ham. (Not of dalmations but rather refering to the region of Croatia called Dalmatia. We are not sure who came first the dog or the reagion, but apparently the islands in the area look much like dalmation spots from an arial view) .

Don't be too jelouse though, back in Bosnia there are no palm trees to be seen. Everything is thick with coal smoke, since this is what people seem to use to heat their houses- that or sometimes they just randomly chop down trees. Not much is left of school. Something like 18 days. Then we head for our road trip in the szkoda, which we have not yet named. Any suggestions? (for the szkoda and the trip)

Weekend in Split



We had a picnic on a pier from all the ingredients we gathered at the best market I've ever been to. We sat at cafe, drank coffe, adn enjoyed how old everything was.



I feels like winter will never come. I am wanting some snow to get into the christmas spirt. Being in a mostly muslim country there definatly isn't the ho ho ho feeling you get back in canada. We went to croatia this past weekend and even though there were lots of christmas decorations it didn't feel like the holidays with all the Palm trees. Our friends Denny and Sandy joined us for the trip and we had a blast acting like a nuch of 18 year olds.

this fat cat makes me think of Ania's Tiny who passed away this week. RIP

Tuesday, November 14, 2006

I miss my girls






Hey Everyone
We really miss the Jenkins crew being around us.
1)Me wearing my new birthday hat as promised( and yes those are really peach coloured sofas with pink walls to match)
2)Laura enjoying-- what else but meat!
3) Paul looking a bit blury, did he have too much wine or I who took this bad picture that is not post worthy material
4)Me and Molly making pierogi, who knew I had it in me... how did our grandmas and moms do it. It takes so much work! 5)Katie with her buddy Kaya- the sweetest little girl around
Seriously though it's not the same without the crew. We miss them a lot and their cozy house to hang out in.

Thursday, November 09, 2006

Birthday Blog


For the first time in exactly 20 years I am in the same time zone for my birthday as I was born in. This should mean something cosmically but I don't think it does. I am turning 27 and as you all know in about a month I will say I am 28. I have always added a year and will continue to do so. I must also add that I still do not look a day over 18 and am resolved to remain looking this young untill I am well into my fourties... at which point people will begin to wonder if I am Paul's trophy bride.
People here are a jolly sort, and perhaps because of the war seem to pay extra special attention to birthdays. Yeah for me. Today I recieved many birthday hugs, several necklaces, and a very wild green hat. ( I promise to post of photo of me soon as I know you are all dying to see how fabulous I really am) . Paul has promised to take me on a date tonight, so I will put on some fresh underwear, brush my teeth, and jump into the szkoda to eat some Indian food, and watch Borat. I think this will be jolly good fun. Lots of love!!!!Sandra

Tuesday, November 07, 2006

Markets




The market here are so clourful and you can find tons of fresh food for so cheap. Everything tastes so delightfully full of actual flavour.

Far and Away

Inspired by other friends far and away I have decided to pull up my boot straps and get a blog going for our global adventure. I hope I can keep up the promise to update it regularly. We are still in Sarajevo and have 5 more weeks of school left untill winter break ( yeah!!!) Recently we went up to Poland for our 5 day Ramadan break in October. 5 days off + 24 hours of driving one way+ 23 hours of driving back = driving up to poland for tea. Stopping in Slovakia for a most disgusting lunch, getting lost in Zakopane, and getting turned around in Budapest by riot police. We are back here and safe and sound. Here are a few snipets from the trip.






Here is a shot of Paul and my uncle in my grandma's apartment. Paul is wearing a polish jersey. My uncle gave this to him as a gag gift since it is what all of the polish sport fans wear. Paul has taken to it and is wearing it on a daily basis. Go Poland GO!!

The windy streets of Krakow
Our new car... we wish. what a beauty