I did not get good sleep last night. Got up many times and finally at 4.30 a.m. After a shower of lukewarm water I got ready. I knocked at the door of Mahomed. He probably was sleeping as he opened the door, he was ready within minutes. We came down and left our keys of the room. Drozen has left a message for me that my accommodation in Sarajevo that has been booked at Hostel vila. We walked to the train station and with Train No.6 came to the Auto Bus Station which is not far.
Mohamed is not having Kumis and so. I was spending the money. We had cappuccino and same bread at the Bus station. Then Mohamed went for his bus which was at 6.00 a.m. My bus is at 6.30 a.m. I bought one croissant for the way and now sitting in the Bus. Driver charged 12 Kumis for keeping the rucksack in the baggage hold and gave me a receipt also. Here receipt is given for every purchase. Even going to the toilet, a ticket of 2 Kumis was charged and receipt was given. There are not many passengers yet and it is time to leave within 2-3 minutes. Morning is cool.
8.10 a.m.: We reached on the border port of Critin. There is a big queue of cars and buses. Our driver drove the bus wrongly and brought the bus in front. There is a separate queue for the buses for passport check. There is one bus in the front. All the passengers have got down and one by one going to the passport control Kiosk. It will take some time and then we will also get down. Our bus is not full. Bosnia Border check will come further. In the last few days I’ve had many cups of coffee. It is not good. I should stop drinking coffee and my sugar shall come to normal.
I slept in the Bus as soon as it started from Zagrets and so did not see any country side yet. Last night Himanshu phoned me and we talked for a long time. He is going to Singapore for an official work today. I tried Nishi’s number quite a few times but it was switched off. I talked to Drozen and thanked him. We are now at Bosnia Border Passport and have been checked.
Bos-Gradi-Ksa : This is the first stop in Bosnia. We stopped at a motel, a well decorated building. Toilets are outside. For the first time in these countries, I have seen Indian style latrines. I just walked and am feeling good after morning sleep and rest. Nishi phoned. She has gone to Bangalore for Ruchi and then will go to Mysore.
There are Maize fields. First impression of entering Bosnia is good. After the Border of Sava river, the buildings or houses are beautifully decorated. The journey is through the mountains is pleasant. Hours without any boundary but good open Garden with flowers and decoration. Some places have maize fields and Restaurants are also well decorated and use of colourful flowers is much. Bus stopped at some places after two hours or Mountain Road was not wide just enough for 2 vehicles to pass. One side is hilly and other side is a south river with not so much but clean water. This moment of time I would like to write down the name of towns we passed later as I don’t remember their names but these towns were also impressive.
Last few days I drank a number of cups of Turkish coffee. Last night I ate a lot of peanuts also. I think it was gastric or acidity. I felt like vomiting. I asked the driver to stop the Bus which he did and threw up a lot outside. But I was still not feeling good till another stop of bus and I puked for the second time. Now I felt light and enjoyed the scenery taking pictures.
We reached Sarajevo, capital of Bosnia at 3.30 p.m. about 9 hours journey. There were only 5 passengers for Sarajevo from Zagrets. Some got down on route. Bus dragged us at an open place where platform numbers were written. I called up Edin on the number which was given to me on the slip which I got in the morning at the reception. Drozen has given this information. Edin immediately responded and told me that he would come in 10 minutes to the bus stand. I told him what I was wearing- red shirt and a yellow small rucksack and only Indian standing there. Edin came in about 15 minutes. He is a pleasant young man. We greeted each other and then walked towards his car parked on the other side. He was keen to show me the city and I was exhausted. I wanted to sleep for some time. His hostel is actually his own residence once and then he gave it to some ambassador for his residence. It is an elegant house slight up the hill. Iranian Embassy is just across the road. According to Edin, this could be the reason, no ambassador hires his house. He has started this hostel recently. There is not a single guest at the moment and I have a choice to stay at the ground floor or 3rd floor. I had chosen 2nd floor big room. It has 4 bunk beds and single beds. A good w.c. with all wooden facilities and A.C., wardrobes are there. 1st floor is drawing room with T.V. and kitchen. Edin made a cup of herbal tea for me. We chatted for some time and planned my further trip. Edin then left and shall come in the evening. I came to the room. It was 5.30 p.m. and went to sleep.
I got up at 7 p.m. and then took a good shower. Other young man Joran was at the reception. I did not see him and so went out and pressed the bell. He came. I had no local money which is Konvertibilna Mark (KM) 2 KM for 1 Euro. I borrowed 20 KM from Joran and went downhill to the downtown. This is the centre of the city. Many restaurants, shops, Souvenir shops, mosques and the entire square filled with people. It was looking festive. The sun rays were about to vanish. Exchange was closed early due to being Saturday. Sunday it will open late. I sat in an open restaurant and the menu was in English. I took vet salad with sour cream, bread and butter for 8 KM. It was good and filling. Salad also had one boiled egg, cauliflowers, biscuits, tomato and cucumber topped with sour cream. I also bought bread, tomatoes, cucumbers, bananas, some fruits for tomorrow’s breakfast. It is good to walk back upto the side. Now Edin’s brother had come for the night shift. He greeted me and then made a cup of green tea for me. People are nice and friendly as I could feel by talking to shopkeepers and in the street. It is 11 p.m. and I should go to sleep. Tomorrow I will use internet.
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