My Images of SEE – 11:43, Sunday 21st August

After my rest, and once the flare had gone off to indicate the end of fasting, I went out. I intended to have a drink first, and located “City Pub” on the map. I walked down, through the busy old town, past the Bezistan and on to an adjacent street. In front of a posh hotel was City Pub. Quiet outside, I decided to venture in. Unsure whether to treat it like a normal pub, I sat down and decided I wanted a beer. But no-one came. So I walked halfway to the bar, when a guy came over and took my order. I had a nice pint of Sarajevsko Pivo (local lager) and watched football. Upon finishing, I ordered another. At this point a large crowd came in. A planned beer tour I presumed. I though I heard Engligh spoken by a couple of girls, I frequently looked over to read their lips, as the music was loud. I got my book out so as to indicate I was English.

I then moved on to my third pint and no contact was made, so I went over and asked if they were British. They said no. However, they were Australian and New Zealanders. So they said to join them. For an hour and a half I joined in their conversations. They were on a bus tour. So I had gossip from the bus, a history of where they were from and what they do, and I talked about my travels. By about 22:45 they were making plans to head off, so I paid my bill and left. It was great to talk to English speakers. They also have been living in London the last 6 years.

A lot of food placed were closed now, but I managed to get to one place. I asked for a menu, but the guy simply said “Meat or cheese”. I said meat. He brought over what was essentially 3 12 inch sausage rolls. And good they were too. I left and got the obligatory ice cream on the way back to the hotel.

I slept, a little disturbed by the 4 pints I consumed, until 09:25. I sprung up to get breakfast. Feeling tender, I decided to have it inside as the sun was out on form. I read the news on my phone too. I returned to my room and relaxed for an hour before getting ready to go out.

My Images of SEE – 18:14, Saturday 20th August

I had a fulfilling nights sleep last night, and woke up when my body needed to and not my alarm clock. I slowly got out of bed, then made my way downstairs to breakfast. I collected cereal and made my way outside to the terrace to get a seat. The sun was out but it was not hot yet. I went back in to get a roll and Nutella, along with my coffee. I sat out, eating away, admiring the view of the mosques, terracotta topped houses, and the green hills crowding over the city.

I went back to my room and washed and changed. I then ventured out into the old town. With it being Saturday, it was as busy as last night. From the hotel, you walk down a hill to where the spring is. Then the market area is on a lower incline. Its floor is made of flat orangy/brown rocks interlaced with cement. The shop fronts are showing off their wares and are constructs of wood and stone. 

I walked around the maze of shops to find an ATM – for I need to pay the hotel. Then located a small museum, which I find out is the Museum of Sarajevo – right in the heart of the Bascarsija. It is a rectangular building (surrounded by the market) and is domed. Inside, I paid 2km and spent about 40 minutes in there. Not much in terms of artifacts, but a lot on the story of prehistoric Sarajevo, through Medieval, Ottoman, Austro-Hungarian and up to present times. In the centre of the room was a model reconstruction of the old town of the 1800s.

I exited, the walked through the Bezistan. Similar materials to that of the museum (Grey stone with a tinge of yellow, layered between cement) had a front and back entrance, and an alleyway you walked through that had small stalls either side. A pleasant building but the wares were not to match. 

I then made my way to the hotel briefly to pay my bill and have my passport returned. I then walked down the road I came up yesterday. I walked past the old mortared market again, now bustling with life, onward to the new shopping mall. 

I had a wonder around to pass time. I then continued, where opposite the road I saw red marks on the floor. I read last night that these splashes of red plastic actually fill in the holes where mortars struck. I took a photo for the record, but an eerie spot it was. I then walked past an alley where the wall of the building was sprayed with bullet holes. Again, no effort to cover up the suffering that was endured.

I then spotted a café, so took the opportunity to rest from the powerful gaze of the sun. I read and took in the chatter of the locals around me. I then walked onward to another shopping mall and ate there. I had a glass of Bosnian red too, which went down a treat. Smoking is tolerated indoors – reminded me of a few years back, out in the UK.

I then walked past the Holiday Inn again to the train station. It was as quiet as it was yesterday. I asked a guy there is I needed to book the train to Zagreb – no, he replied. Excellent. I then turned back. I now located where museums were for Monday (as tomorrow I plan to walk and shop), so now started the second half of a figure of 8 by taking an adjacent road back to the old town. A bit quieter, but still feeling safe, I made my way back to Ali Pasha’s Mosque – where prayer sounds were emanating from. I then took the right fork on Marsala Tita Street into the old town. I stopped at a café for an espresso and a slice of Tiramisu. Lovely. And only 3km! I then meandered around the old town again and back to the hotel to rest as the afternoon call to prayer began.