During my ’03 backpacking ramble through Europe I ended up in Bosnia, determined to understand a bit more about the region and it’s past.
The capital city, Sarajevo, was famous for the 1984 Olympics… until the siege of the 1990s during the Bosnian War.
A very painful time for the people of Bosnia and the city of Sarajevo, I learned more about this time period at the Bosnian war museum.
The city and people were really beat up during the siege, and there are still some subtle reminders of that time.
Bullet holes mark many of the structures, including this tombstone.
But this city is a vibrant meeting place for many cultures once again.
Locals now walk the streets free of fear.
I had a great meal, but had no idea what I was ordering at the time.
Rarely have I encountered crime in my travels, but a person impersonating a conductor reached into my backpack on this trolley and snatched my digital camera as he was “checking my ticket”.
Another interesting experience was attending a soccer game with both a Bosnian and Serbian crowd sections. Having been at war against each other only 8 years ago made for an intense rivalry.
