details on Sarajevo

So I figured I should explain to you all a little bit why I find Sarajevo so magic.

There is a special feeling here, something I felt as soon as I stepped onto the cobble stones of the old turquish quarter. The sun was setting on the town and shining on the mosques and surrounding mountain houses. There is a quiet, peaceful feel to the town, something like the calm after the storm I guess you could say. People are incredibly receptive and friendly here and the fact that I speak Bosnian puts a smile on everyone's face. "Dobro pricas bosansko!"

Yesterday Renee and I went on a small tour organized by one of the guys that works in the youth hostel. We were taken to the site of the Sarajevo tunnel, the tunnel that litterallly saved citizens of Sarajevo. Our guide had personally used this tunnel 800 metre long, 1.6 metres high and 1 metre tunnel to get food and provisions. On this day, July 11th 1995 arround 8000 Bosniaks (Muslim Bosnians) were executed by the Serbian nationalist army, and bodies are still being found today. When I think of what these people have been through, it gives me chills down my spine. This down definetely has a spirit and one feels it right away. I went inside a mosque today and it was great. There is so much room to breathe in there. I am going to go to a service tonight -- I want to feel what the call to prayer and live it personally. I am excited to go to Turkey as well! This is just a taste!

I have been treating myself to cevapcicis and bureks, local delicacies. Went to a shisha cafe today and enjoyed some apple tobacco, and have made many trips to the local fountains and water sources. According to the legend, if you drink from one of the many sources of water inside the city, you will return someday. I must have had about 2 litres of it already! This is quite possibly my favorite city so far and has definetely left a permanent impression on me.

Please come to Sarajevo!