Serbia: Belgrade

Belgrade, Serbia: view from the end of savsko jezero
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For my final day in Belgrade, Milos and Jovana brought me to a Serb cookout for a wireless company Milos was associated with.  The cookout was at Ada Ciganlija.  Full of outdoor bars, Ada Ciganlija is the recreation area where Savsko Jezero (Sava Lake) is located - the same lake that we went to a couple nights earlier.

We had several Jelen Pivos and some delicious Serb pastries and meats.  Someone even had an American football that we threw around.  The lake was filled with locals enjoying the hot summer day.  The "beach" is quite rocky, but there are tons of sunning beds around the lake.

Muchos Jelens at Ada Ciganlija

Belgrade, Serbia: savsko jezero at ada ciganlija
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I took a long, long walk around the entire lake, passing the nudist portion as well as the fairly bizarre automated water ski area.  Although not the most aesthetically pleasing recreation area I've ever seen in my life, it was a relaxing afternoon and everyone seemed to be having such a joyous time.

I had a night bus to Pristina, Kosovo from Belgrade and, before I went to the terminal, Maja's father came to pick me up and bring me to their home in Zemun, a suburb of Belgrade.  Unfortunately I had to say goodbye to Milos and Jovana, both amazing hosts and great personal friends of mine.  I can't wait until they come visit Boston.

Belgrade, Serbia: lake revellers
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Maja's father picked me up in a brand new, shiny Mercedes.  So sweet.  He was a very nice man and spoke English well.  It was also great of him to pick me up from Milos' apartment which was not exactly close.  Maja's house is a huge, beautiful mansion in Zemun, the Austro-Hungarian influenced suburb of Belgrade.

Her mom was kind enough to make a large sampling of Serbian food, and they all got a kick out of me sampling their strong rakija.  I wasn't able to stay long though as my bus left quite soon, so Maja's dad again chauffeured me to the Belgrade bus terminal for my bus to Kosovo.

Belgrade, Serbia: me, jovana, and milos
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Maja and her friend came along for the ride and to make sure I got on the right bus.  They stayed with me right until I boarded.  Another sad moment as I had to leave more good friends behind.