Photos: Sarajevo, Bosnia

Picture 1: There was nothing finer than beginning a day with some coffee and here it is primarily Turkish coffee.  I tried looking up the actual name for the method of preparation and it seems to really be called Turkish coffee.  While in Bosnia though, it was called simply kahve or Bosnian coffee.  The cup came filled with Turkish Delight, sometimes doused in powdered sugar and sometimes with coconut.  The individual serving would fill the cup twice, although by the end the dregs were a substantial portion of the cup.  The coffee was always served with water, no matter where we went and as far as the coffee went, it was perfect every time.

Picture 2: This is the view from one of the many cemeteries dotting the hillsides around Sarajevo.  We met the groundskeeper and spoke with him for a while in German.  After chatting, we made our way around the grounds.  There was this structure overlooking the valley and I do not know what it was for.  I saw no plaques or writing.  It just was.  It was hard not to think about the history of the place when standing there looking down on a city still recovering in some areas. 

Picture 3: This is just a part of a normal, heavily trafficked sidewalk that happens to have shrapnel or explosive damage from a grenade or other device used during the 4 year siege of the city.  The residents, instead of repairing the damage, filled in the holes with a red resin as a reminder/memorial.  We spotted them all over the city and also other holes that weren't filled in.

Picture 4: Sebilj fountain and Bascarsija Mosque.  They say if you drink from this totally potable fountain that you will always come back to Sarajevo.  Rachel drank from it.  I took a picture.  The mosque in the background, according to the friend we met who then took us on that tour of the city, was commissioned to be the leader's mosque.  Upon arriving though, he mistook a different smaller, but perhaps more elaborate, one across the river as the mosque for him.  It was a funny story and I have messed up the details no doubt, but the idea is there.

Picture 5: The local beer of Sarajevo at the brewery.  It wasn't bad.  We went there two nights in a row.  The establishment had a large central room with alcoves in various places for additional tables.  The ceiling was vaulted brick and quite cool.  Large bar and moderately friendly staff.  I recommend at least going for the beer.  We never ate there.  Oh well.