Edin’s brother was in night. He was sleeping in the drawing room sofa when I got up to make a cup of tea at 6 a.m. in the kitchen. This place was the house of ambassadors previously and so has been kept nicely. I went back to sleep after having my morning tea.
It was 8 a.m. when I again came down after good shower and change of clothes. I ate my breakfast of bread, tomatoes, cucumber and bournvita. Joran (Jokco), the receptionist had also come. He gave me some butter from the fridge. Edin’s brother had a good chat with me sitting in the balcony. I came to know more of the Bosnian war, the three regions of Muslim, Serbian and Croatian. Where is Herzegovinian? How people of different religions are still living in peace. Jokco the receptionist is a Serb and Christian but born and brought up in Sarajevo. He faced no problem with Muslims. How outsiders from Arab countries are coming and trying to be conservative but not succeeding with local Bosnian Muslims. Everyone was blaming Serbians for their wars.
I got to increase my knowledge of the Balkan regions. I went down to the centre market at 11.30 a.m. It was hot and sunny downhill. I tried to find out Exchange shop or Bank. I walked in the covered bazaar which actually is full of restaurants, coffee shops and souvenir shops. I found there a tourist information centre. They gave me a map of the city which also has a map of old city where I was standing. They asked my nationality for statistic purpose and told me that I am 2nd Indian in last 20 days. Later Edin told me that last week two Indian IT professionals working in UK had come here for holidays. He even remembered their names as Sandeep and Reddy. I ate a chicken shroma for 3 KM out of 6 KM which I was still having. Walking back that too climbing in hot sun was grueling. I came back at 3 p.m. and took one hour nap.
Edin had come now. Another young person from Denmark had also come for stay. Edin made Turkish coffee for him and a cup of tea for me. Edin invited both of us to join him for a tour. We went in his Ford car for almost 3 hour tour. He took us to the ottoman fort and then to a bridge built in 14th century. This was outside the city. Then we went to a restaurant on the top of the hill. There was a good view of the old and new city from here. We then drove back to the old city. Edin parked his car and then we walked for an hour or so. Most of the sights I have seen in the day time including the bridge which was supposed to start World War I. On this bridge, the heir of Austria - Hungankin kingdom was killed which triggered World War I. Then Edin took me to the 9th floor of Hotel Hecca where was a restaurant but we went to see the view of the town. My camera battery was over when we started on tour and Edin took pictures from his camera. He will send them to me by mail. We saw the orthodox cathedral churches and mosque. Most of the Sarajevo was bombarded in their 1992 war but has been completely rebuilt with Ece aid and Arab business. Their currency in Konvertibilna Marks is actually Dutch Mark before Euro. Finances are still controlled by EU. People remember war but not with bitterness.
We returned back at 7.30 p.m. Edin’s mother had come. She cleans the hostel. His brother works in the night and Juka (Joran) comes in the day time.
I gave my suggestions to Edin to improve the facilities in the hostel which is of good standard. I spoke to Drozen and told him about this hostel to be brought on HI network. Drozen told me that Carles Bruzitian, YHA President is coming to Sarajevo today. He will send me his phone number.
I took a quick shower and came down for dinner. I had bread, fruit (banana) and butter for dinner. Since yesterday my stomach is alright. This is because of my controlled diet and no Turkish coffee. I chatted with the Danish youths who had come back after eating dinner in the market. He had travelled to Serbia and Romania. They gave their experiences of staying in villages in the Romania. I have not worked on the computer and internet for a long time although it is available at the reception.
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