Bosnia and Herzegovina is a hidden gem in eastern Europe just waiting to be discovered. I know most people don't have any concrete knowledge about this country, so I thought it would be interesting to do a little piece on what it's really like to spend a day here.
8 A.M.
I am staying in the southern part of the country, also known as Herzegovina, with my grandparents. It's probably one of the quietest places, aside from the occasional cow and rooster calls. I usually wake up early, at least I try to, and have some coffee. If I'm early enough, I drink some traditional Bosnian coffee with my mom. If not, I just make some Nescafe, a popular instant coffee drink.
10 A.M.
After coffee and breakfast, it's time to set out on our adventure. Some days are more organized than others, but usually we just kind of make up plans as the day goes on. Today we visited the Old Bridge in Mostar, which as usual, was infested with tourists. I honestly never realized how many people visit Mostar, even if it is just for a day trip. Nonetheless, you could hear a million different languages being spoken as you crossed the bridge. The bridge dates back to the Ottoman Empire, but it was destroyed during the war in the 1990s. As you walk across the newly rebuilt bridge, you will notice men preparing to dive into the water below. This is a popular sight; Red Bull actually sponsored a diving competition in Mostar last summer.
12 P.M.
On both sides of the bridge there's a string of shops, or what we like to call a bazaar. I have heard a lot of people compare it to Turkey and although I have never been, I can imagine it’s very similar. A lot of Bosnian cultures stem from Turkish influence. Steering past the souvenirs, I make my way towards the Kinder Bueno ice cream. We also stop for a coffee at a restaurant by the Neretva River. Our table was positioned right beside the Neretva River with the Old Bridge in the background.
2 P.M.
On our way back to my grandparents, it's essential to stop by a super-store. This time, we stopped by Bingo, which is pretty much equivalent to Target or Walmart. There's nothing really close to my grandparents so we always take advantage of this. I could not even begin to describe the overwhelming amount of joy I felt when I walked into the chocolate aisle. All of the Kinder and Milka chocolate I had been deprived of was suddenly right in front of my eyes. The best part, it wasn't expensive at all. I paid at least double back in the U.S. whenever I went to the international market to get my fix.
4 P.M.
Once we get back, it's time for a rest. If I don't take a nap, I just sit and read or you guessed it, have another coffee.
P.S. We drink coffee like it's water.
5:30 P.M.
By the end of the day, it's not as hot outside so we decide to go for a hike. Today we went to Pocitelj, which is a town set in the mountains. It was deserted, which was nice because we could take our time photographing the landscape. There wasn’t really a clear path to take to the top, so we kind of went whichever way our hearts desired. After climbing plenty of steps and not to mention passing a snake, we found this incredible spot. Surrounded by a bunch of glass panels, you could see the entire city.
Even though it was windy, it was extremely peaceful. I took a bunch of photos and stopped to breathe in the fresh air around me. Sometimes you just have to put down the camera and enjoy the moment for what it is. I think I stood in awe for about five minutes just appreciating what was right in front of me.
7:30 P.M.
We eventually climbed down and stopped for another coffee. What is this, my fourth cup? Walking towards our car, we see a man packing up his fruit stand. Fruit stands are very common in Bosnia, usually positioned alongside the road. Jobs are scarce in Bosnia and many people have their own gardens where they grow fresh fruit. We end up buying some strawberries from him, which were amazing by the way. As we were walking away, my mom turns to me and says, “I think we made his day.” I recall the smile on his face and nod in agreement. That one small moment made my day, too.
To see more pictures from my entire trip, go look at my Instagram!
