When you step outside the compound, life begins. That’s right. The ants in my bed, termites in my sink, giant snails on my walls and chickens on my terrace aren’t the only life-bearing things walking this green part of Africa I call home. Outside the compound, cows, goats and pigs are freely roaming the lands.
“These pastries contain too little sugar,” Complains the nurse who is dumping the third soup spoon of sugar in her tea. She goes on warning me about the dangers of obstipation if I eat too much of those unsavoury balls of fried dough called mandazi.
Who takes the wrong luggage at the airport? Seriously, who does that?! Just because it has the same colour, doesn’t mean you can swap them for yours. Thank you for scaring the hell out of me, random stranger. Luckily they left their own (ugly – might I add) bag.
Since last time you were here, I’ve spent a weekend in Mostar, did one workout in the local gym, ate Burek for the first time, participated in a “wine and cheese” night, and finally started my internship in the profession that’s locally known as “medicinal sisters”.
When I thought I would be going back in time when coming to Bosnia, I expected it to be a few years, not a few weeks. Winter is still hanging around here; completely with freezing temperatures, icy winds and snow falling at random times of the day.
Raise your hand if you would not be able to locate Bosnia-Hercegovina on a map. Raise your other hand if that actually made you realise you should brush up on your geography knowledge.
The good news is, I haven’t been eaten by a spider. And almonds haven’t killed me either (you did pay attention last time, did you?). So you can safely put those fears away. In my defence; the combination of living the dream, making enough money to support it, …
“Thank you, Vito.”. “Could you please reconnect me with the lady from the roadside assistance?”. “Oh, f*ck off!”. Australians are very creative creatures on the phone. And I got front row seats.
Breathtaking views, curious animals, starfilled skies, seemingly endless beautiful roads. At times all by myself, sometimes surrounded by all sorts of wildlife. From beaches at the ocean, over cloudbreathing hills, in between deserts, through countless valleys, to lakes and dense forests.
Have you ever heard of Mount Connor? Or Kata Tjuta? No? Then get ready to be surprised. It’s probably gonna be a rather long post (edit: it has become an evening-filling article). Start scrolling and be awed and amazed by this country you probably know sh*t about!
Truth is, I’ve been on Australian soil for a little more than one week now and I almost can’t remember what I did four days ago. That has nothing to do with my age (you little smartass), but with the fact that it is so overwhelmingly amazing down here. Every day brings new experiences, adventures and the best memories.
Truth is, I’ve been on Australian soil for a little more than one week now and I almost can’t remember what I did four days ago. That has nothing to do with my age (you little smartass), but with the fact that it is so overwhelmingly amazing down here. Every day brings new experiences, adventures and the best memories.
”Hi mate. How are ye?” I hesitated. Was he talking to me?! I had almost never been addressed to by a customs officer before. Let alone be addressed to as mate or ye (usually they called me Next, and they sure as hell didn’t want to know how I was doing). But it would appear he actually was talking to me.
38 Minutes. That’s exactly how long the Australian Department of Immigration needed to approve my application for a Working Holiday Visa. I admitted, deep down some part of me had hoped the expected 22 to 38 working days for processing would bring me postponement of execution. But no.
