Forward base GV

This is a bit of an experiment for me.  The first blog I have ever written.  What can I say?  '94 and '95 were difficult years.  Working in war torn Bosnia.  As a Medic on Helicopters providing immediate emergency care for UN troops and refugees.  Flying every day all over the country, getting shot at, being locked up by surface to air missiles on a daily basis................... ........enough of that.

What an amazing country.  I feel very lucky to have been able to see so much of it.  Flying low level gives you a great impression of the scale, ruggedness and beauty.  Mount Igman and the surrounding forests and waterfalls.  The incredible mountain gorges and rivers, the vastness of Tomislavgrad plain.  The bitterness of the harsh winter, the heat and dust of the summer, the incredible coastline of the adriatic. 

Despite the beauty there was no way to hide the death and destruction beneath. Burnt out villages everywhere, refugees, soldiers, wrecked cars, destroyed historical buildings, schools, hospitals. Whole tracts of land and forest littered with mines and unexploded artillery shells.

And the people??  They either scared me or I was overwhelmed with grief for them.  The haunting look upon the faces of starving and traumatised children as I tried to assist with their physical and psychological wounds is something that stays with me.  Every day.  And as for facing the hostility, madness, psychotic behavior, bullying and dominating behavior of ALL sides of the warring factions?  Not very pleasant.

I digress................ .this is a travel blog.  If you get the chance to visit then go.  There are mountains just begging to be climbed and there is a real chance to explore some wild country. Go with an open mind. 

I won't be going back.........not yet.