Day 61 : 22nd July, 2012- Podgorica, Montenegro

I checked out from the hostel at 10.30 a.m., though I stayed there and used the free internet. There was an hourly bus service to Podgorica, the Capital of Montenegro. The receptionist and even Selevenko had strong views on discouraging me from going there as there was nothing to see. They told me that I should go see the National Park instead. I decided to stick to the plan and so I refused. The receptionist phoned at Hostel Montenegro and booked a bed for me. Later he gave me brochure for a hostel in Belgrade, Macedonia and Albania. He told me that I would get 10% discount on showing this brochure. It was a way of marketing. I sent the Day 55  of my diary and left after paying 40 Euros for the two night's stay. Yesterday, Selevenko, the owner had told me that my stay would be complimentary. He told me that I was a nice person and shared a few things about hostelling. But I had refused to that as well. This was his private hostel and I did not want him to think that he gave  free accommodation to an Indian although he liked Indians.  I felt hungry while walking towards the Bus Stand. I found a mini market shop and bought a croissant  and a small bottle of yoghurt. The meal cost me just 90 cents, but it was a good breakfast which I ate at the Bus Stand. 

The bus for Podgorica was at 11.55 a.m. I bought a ticket for 7 Euro and sat there waiting for the bus. The bus was on time. It was a small non AC bus.  We were driven away from the coast and into the mountains. After a 30 minutes’ drive, we reached the coast of the Budhwa town. This town was much bigger than Kotar and the endless apartments made it crowed. Kotar was much better for the tourist but the beaches for bath and swimming were much better here. After another few minutes the bus started to climb the mountains. The roads away from the coast were much better. After two more towns, we reached Podgorica town. The town’s bus stand was big and had an air conditioned hall.  After a few minutes rest, I came out. I asked for the directions to the Montenegro hostel which the receptionist at Kotar had booked for me yesterday. I asked a taxi driver but got lost in the way. I reached a shop and the owner helped me call them and gave me the directions.  Another person who was standing there came with me and led me to the hostel.  I went up to the second floor where the hotel owner told me that he did not have a booking for me. He told me that the place was booked by a group but I doubted his honesty. He told me to go a hotel near the railway station. I think he was telling a lie.  I came out and walked back to the shop. The owner, Gora,  was a nice guy and he was willing to give me a room in his house for 10 Euros.  He was a Roma and I felt happy to stay in a Roma house. Roma people are well educated and are very professional when it comes to business. He called his brother Zorica, who drove me to their house which was quite large. The family lived on the 1st floor and I was given a room on the ground floor. The place was located between the Railway Station and the Bus Stand. It was againa  good luck. I took some rest and at 5 p.m. came out to inquire about transportation to Belgrade. I booked sleeper class tickets to Belgrade for 36 Euros. It was 10 Euro costlier than the bus but would save the night charges as the train would leave at 9.15 p.m. tomorrow and reach Belgrade at 7 a.m. next morning. Zorica helped me in booking the ticket.

Then we drove to the city centre. It was a Sunday and everything was closed.  We found a good place to dine; we were the only ones there. I ordered Quesadillas, Mexican food and Zorica ordered something else.  I paid a total of 7 Euros but the food was good and was more than enough. We drove back to the house where I found that my room had been cleaned. Even the linen on the bed was freshly spread. I paid 10 Euros to Goran’s father for my stay. 

At 8:40 p.m, I decided to retire for the day after having a good conversation with Zorica regarding Roma life and their marriage procedure and his own marriage.