Belgrade. For a Western-raised mind like mine this name for many years evoked pictures of war and bombs, of aggression and dictatorship. And so when, in 2006, I first went to Belgrade, that grey and grim epitome of all things negative, I was anxious to see, hear and feel what it was....
The English have pubs, the French their cafes, Italians their ice cream parlours, the Greek Tavernas and we, Serbians, have Kafanas or second homes as we spend more time there than at home.
Kafanas are a cult for Serbian people and any self-respecting Serb has kafana or two. Maybe....
I am sitting on the 3rd floor of my mum’s apartment in the city center of Belgrade and emailing all around the world wishing a Merry Christmas to all my friends scattered around the globe, from Rachel in Nepal who is doing charity work after being dumped yet again, to Elke in Thailand....
Went for a walk in the drizzle this afternoon and nary a soul was around to watch the sunset, which you couldn’t see….. 
Another amazing sunset over New Belgrade, as seen from Pariska Street (Ministry of Telecommunications and Information Society).
As soon as you talk about raising a kid here as a foreigner, locals will quickly point out the disadvantages: The bad air quality in Belgrade, the mess in the education system, cars on the sidewalk blocking your stroller, the “poor” look and feel of the city’s swimming....
Amazing sunset over New Belgrade, as seen from Kosancicev Venac. Photo by Ilija Peric.
Nikola Tesla is without any doubt one of the greatest Serbian scientist, inventors and engineers, who’s patents and theoretical works form the basis for the modern world as we know it.
No matter whether you come to Belgrade for a long or a short visit – be sure not to....
