Serbian Hospitality
Before we left, we received numerous warnings that Eastern Europe would be a dangerous, depressing, soul-suck full of steely thousand yard glares and ferocious dogs. So far, these stereotypes couldn’t be further from the truth. The genuine kindness and generosity we’ve experienced here over the last week has entirely quelled any lingering concerns we may have had about this part of the world. As for the dogs, they’ve been totally harmless!
Late last night after we finished working, we left our room in search of a celebratory round of beers. When we found our hostel’s ajoining bar to be smokey and noisy, we were about to leave. As we did so, a group of Serbian guys quietly eating and drinking outside urged us to stay.
As soon as we agreed, two of the guys removed their jackets, walked over, and gently placed them over our shoulders, saying in Serbian what probably meant “you must be cold!” At first we protested, but they insisted, so we kept warm beneath their layers. We ordered two beers, and as we drank they taught us how to say “cheers!” in Serbian. The word is “živeli” and sounds like jhiv-eh-lee.
Read the rest of this story here. Tara and Tyler are cycling around the world, be sure to check out their wonderful site and see where they are now.
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