“Serbia and Looking Back in Retrospect of our Day“

• August 8, 2020
• By Daryl
• 0 Comment

We were sitting, listening to the rain, just pouring down. The sound is intense with some thunder and lightning. We felt lucky, for it has not been raining as we drove all day, visiting a select few sights. 

We really had one plan, to see the source of a river. A spring that comes from a cave. With water so cold, the wind coming off of it was shivering as it passed by our shoulders. The water was a blue pearl color shimmering in the filtered sunlight. 

Throngs of people had come to see this miracle, and eat the trout spawned from its womb. Brave children swam in protected pools, too excited to care that their skin had turned blue from the cold. 

A carnival atmosphere engulfed the area with booths selling local honey, and special liquor, brewed from local fruits; of which these intoxicating formulation, made by locals in competition for the best blue ribbon brew. In the yards of many local homes, they have a brick distillers with slots underneath to feed the fire that distills the potent cocktail. This is a old tradition that families have carried on for lifetimes. They are very proud of their raspberry or plum brandies, made with sugar and sometimes local honey.

Before we got to our destination we were side-tracked by churches we passed along the way. We have been enamored by the Orthodox churches as some have exteriors with multiple domes, as well as interesting lines and curves. The insides are brightly painted murals of all the famous Christian scenes. The style of the paintings are distinct and brightly colored. The doors and alters are intricately carved wood motifs. The marble floors are highly polished, unless they are old; where we see some tombs in the floor for prominent people in the oldest churches. We visited several along the way. 

I talked to a young girl, who spoke excellent English and she told us about a church in a fortress. After some misguided directions we came upon it. Holy cow, this huge fort came into view with the church’s dome peaking out from within the massive tall walls. The fortress enclosed a Monastery church. 

Walking through the arched entrance we looked like tourists on our first trip to Time Square, in New York. Our heads swiveled upwards and all around at the monumental view, just thrown at our face. It was unbelievable. I pinched Bunny just to make sure I was not dreaming. I got a look, like, well, all men know that look. Then, I knew I was not dreaming.

We walked around taking photos and exploring the fortress. We entered the huge church and start taking photos but a lady stopped us as it is forbidden. My shorts and flip flops are not allowed ether. We both took about four pictures and left. It is hard to get that place out of our minds, it was so tremendous. 

Now we needed to find a hotel in a land that has so few. We find a gypsy cart displayed under the eves and up above a patio on a building. The smart phone did not seem so smart for she sent us in circles. We found a restaurant with a man who knew a lady who’s neighbor had a room for rent. Nobody spoke English, so trying to understand how much and any information was difficult, at best. We settled on a price and ate at the restaurant where we found the man who found our place. The food was good and we made it back to our apartment for the night, just before the rain began.