Last Day!

It's our last day and the packing has begun!

We spent the day doing col stuff - we started by going to the sarajevo War Tunnel Museum out near the Butmir Base and airport.  It was a solemn and awe-inspiring, not to mention humbling experience.  The Tunnel Museum is exactly what it says - a museum to show the remains of the tunnel that was built by the citizens of Sarajevo.  This tunnel was 1.6 meters high, 1 meter wide, and 800 meters long.  It was THE only "safe" route in and out of Sarajevo for almost 4 years!  Any food, weapons, various supplies, medical supplies, etc -  came into the city through that tunnel.  That was it!  An oil pipeline (maybe 6 inches in diameter) was added later.  There were also 2 small tracks to be able to push a small  'rail car' - if you can call it that to push the supplies, in addition to the backs of the people traveling through each day.  If you're interested in reading more here is an article:  http://www.bosnia.org.uk/bosrep/juloct96/adriatic.cfm

And the most humbling part is that all this was going on just 15 years ago!!!!!  These people were regular "civilized" people - people like us -  who were completely, essentially, held captive and terrorized for 4 years!!  And it was all happening while I/we was/were working, living our lives, I mean 15 years ago!!  Anyway, it's been very moving and thought-provoking for me and Arthur,  too.

On the lighter topic, had a wonderful  Bosnian lunch then headed to a BEAUTIFUL park called Vrelo Bosna (it means The Springs of the River Bosna).  It is the site of the source for the river Bosna.  It is full of small crystal clear ponds with running stream.  Up the sides of the ponds and streams is beautful green moss, as the water temp. ranges from 26*C to 58*C - very warm compared to outside temp.  In between all the streams and ponds were beautiful paths and bridges.  The other family that accompanied us brought a cool old wooden sled, so the kids had a blast pulling each other around and getting the parents to pull them!  the place was truly breath-taking!  And I can't begin to imagine the summer time!!

Then one last trip to Old Town to pick up final souvenirs, etc. Arthur had a leather maker make him a custom brief case that turned out beautiful!!   Metal working is another craft with some amazing artists, so we stopped at the most respected one's shop (Jen and Heath had the skinny on the best rug maker, best leather worker, and the best metal shop).  It was so interesting and his works are amazing!

We leave tomorrow at 3:00, arrive London at 4:30 - then we'll "hit the town" for some sort of fun, then we fly out of London Monday morning at 11:40 and will be home in Orlando by 4:30, if all goes as planned.  

Obviously, leaving Heath, my sister and Freddy weighs heavy on my heart.  We've had such a nice visit!  But hopefully, they'll be home - as in the USA - by this summer.  

 Additionally, leaving Sarajevo feels a little sad, too.  This place has really gotten into my heart.  I know most of you wondered why in the world we would visit a "war torn" country where who knows what could happen, but honestly, in hindsight, I wouldn't have wanted to go any place else. the only possible regret is that we didn't come in the summer - Jen says it is so green  and perfect temps in summer - winters, esp. where there is snow can look dreary sometimes.  But, Ott and I have learned sooo much, and the girls, wow, what an experience!  It has just been so much more than I expected.  And the recent history of the country and the city and the people really has made an impact on me - the empathy for other humans it evokes, at least for me, and I hope, the girls, is indescribable. 

See you all soon!

Love to you all

& Peace on Earth!!

M

Hi everyone!

Only two more entries you have to read!

Today we tried to get an early start, didn't work as smoothly as planned, but we were out of the house by 10:00 - that's something!  Just the bundling up takes ten minutes!!  The weather seemed a little warmer and we actually saw blue sky, before noon that is.  We started with the museum at the Latin Bridge, that I spoke of yesterday, where WWI started by the shooting of the archduke and his wife.  The museum was very small, but very thorough and had English translations, so that was nice.

Then we stopped for the requiste cappuccino at a Turkish cafe.  The kids, all three of them, got hyped up on sugar and cappuccino - which Freddy loves - the benefit of being raised internationally!

Next we headed to the National Museum, a 4 building complex with a  beautiful, small botanical garden in the middle.  We saw lots of archelogical items - so many of which were destroyed during the 1992 war - the building was badly damaged by artillery, etc.  But, it is up and running now and has been for a few years - a sign of the spirit of Sarajevans.  There was also the natural history building that had species of all types in dioramas.  Very interesting for the kids.

Then lunch in Bascarsija, to the "best cevapi" in town.  A little more wandering, then off to see Freddy's school.  It's a Waldorf school run by a Bosnian women - lots of Bosnian children attend, as well as American, German, and other kids from the international community.  The girls, esp. Emma, really wanted to see where Freddy spends some of his time.  It was a really neat/cute school - the playground/yard was a kids' paradise!!

Then home to the "yellow house" as Freddy calls it for yummy pasta dinner!

Tomorrow is our last  full day, and I just can't even believe it has flown by so fast!!  We have had such a great time - so much exceeding my expectations!!  Jen and I only had one tense day and of course that was centered around the meal Christmas day!!  Arthur has really embraced the whole experience, and of course, Freddy is a doll!

love you all

peace

M

*The first picture is of one of the streets in "Old Town"

*The next one is of us at Christmas Dinner - Ott was taking the photo, so he's not in it, but it's Heath holding Freddy, me, Jasenka, Emma, Dzevad, Jen, Skylar, Snjezana, Jansenko,  & Andrea.

*Next is the Latin Bridge where the Archduke Franz Fernidad and his wife Sofia were killed in 1914 to start the 1st World War. (We went to that museum today and I'll write about it later tonight)

*Remanence of the recent war  - a bombed out building that has yet to be rebuilt.

*Some of the architecture of Sarajevo.

 

Finally, some pictures!!

Ciao!

Even though "ciao" is Italian, it is often used here as a casual greeting.

Let's see, what did we do yesterday??

Arthur, Emma, Skylar, & I walked to the Bosinak Institute.  The architecture is cool, one part was an old Turkish public bath (hamam) built from 1537 - 39!    It was built from stone and has a domes as roofs - it had a men's and women's sides.  The second part is a very sleek modern building that houses a library and a gallery.    We tried to visit the gallery but they only give tours on Saturdays, so we might try again on Sat.   The girls then went to the bank, passports in hand, and exchanged their money.  It was so cute and they were so excited.  I think Arthur was able to snap one photo (no flash of course) before he was told to put the camera away.  What tourists we are!! 

We then met Jen and Freddy for yet another yummy lunch - our "chickentarian" Emma, has had a relatively easy time finding chicken to eat.  Beef and veal are also readily available, but due to fact it's a Muslim country, pork, needless to say, is pretty much not existent except at the PX out at Butmir.  The sausages here are beef and Arthur has found a new favorite food, ceveapi: sausages served on a thicker, yet lighter pita bread(somun), and you can have onions, cheese, etc on it.   Potatoes seem to be some what of a staple here, mashed, fried, etc.  Overall food is very reasonably priced.  Ott and I ate dinner tonight at a small little cafe, and it was only 11km (approx. $8.00).   

After lunch we walked again through Bascarsija (this word has 3 accents; one over the each s and one over the c - they use the Latin and the Cyrillic alphabets here).  Some of the artisans are amazing.  We spent a while in a Bosnian rug shop.   The rugs (kilims) were all made on hand looms by women in the area.  There were some older rugs made years ago in some of the villages with different patterns signifying different villages or areas of the city.   So needless to say we all bought something, including the girls.

After the afternoon of wandering, we walked home.  I know I have mentioned the driving here - it is crazy.  But I may not have said that to get your license you must be 18 and pass a course where you drive 30 hours with an instructor!!  So although the drivers are crazy, they are skilled.  But that aside, everyone walks here!!  I mean the roads can be snow covered/slush covered,  below freezing, and the hills can be very steep, yet everyone still walks!  Heath walks to and from work every day.  To us at home, what might seem like a long way, is nothing here!

And, many of the younger women walk in high heeled boots!!  It's just so funny!  As most of you may know - I don't exercise - but my heart rate as been well into the 90s a good part of each day due to all the walking, and then being greeted by 3 flights of stairs when we arrive home at Jen's!!

Today (12/27) we slept in then went to the American Embassy  to meet for lunch.  It was neat.  We had to pass through security 1st, although not to the extent most people would due to Heath being our escort.  Most visitors, children included, must pass through metal detectors, bags searched, possible pat downs (not too often), etc.  We pretty much only had to show our (me and Ott) our passports and that was it.  We went into the unclassified building first.  Some really neat wood work and this gorgeous curved door.  This is where we at lunch - in the "cafeteria" - a very small one with about 6 long, table clothed tables in the dining area. Also, located in this building are various departments - medical, travel, a small gym, etc.  Then we headed to the classified building up to Heath's office.  He showed us a couple of cool security things along the way and what the marines do that are in the control-room looking things around the building.     In his side of the classified building are the security and legal departments.  The other side is the diplomatic - ambassador - and political departments. Anyway, overall neat mini-tour.    

The American Embassy inherited the pre-existing buildings from some former communist agency.  Before the 1992 war there was no embassy because Bosnia was not a country.  During the war, the State dept worked out of the only Holiday in town - which was also the hotel where most of the journalist covering the war stayed.  We (the Americans) lease the land and building for $1 a year!  There is a new American embassy being built - we've seen the land that's fenced off and cleared.  Not sure the ETA for completion.

After our tour there we headed over to the corner and bridge (The Latin Bridge which crosses the Miljacka River)) where  Archduke Franz Ferdinand and his wife, Sofia,  of the Austro-Hungarian Empire were shot to start WWI.    It was an interesting place to stand, so full of  - well I can't describe it.  There is a small museum there, but we were 10 minutes late!!  We'll try again tomorrow!

 Then Jen drove (yes drove) us around the city.  We went up on some of the hills around the edge of the city and the sights were beautiful, what we could see.  The snow clouds, pollution and the fact it was getting dark (well it was 3:30 already!!) made seeing more difficult, but still pretty cool.  Then she drove us over the bridge that is memorialized with a small monument marking the sight of the 1st two people killed in the 1992 war on April 6, 1992.  They were just 2 regular people walking wherever they were walking and never made it home.  I guess because it is so, so recent, it is really so, so real to Ott and me.  It is difficult to comprehend this peaceful, multi-ethic regular city was continuously bombed and shot at by snipers for 4 years while we were just living our regular lives.  

Anyway, then she drove us by a huge brewery.  It is currently open still as a brewery and a lovely restaurant.  Well, during the war, because it was Serbian owed, it received very little damage - it was not shelled at all, and this particular brewery became the spot where very large numbers of Sarajevo citizens would come for their water.  You can see pictures of people lined up down the block, around the corner waiting for water with their milk jugs, etc.  And this went on for 4 years!!  We saw a couple of other cool sites, then Jen dropped Ott and I off down town.  

Arthur and I wandered a bit.  We really wanted a custom, hand-made brief case so we wandered the leather workers shops.  It was a neat experience, especially with the language barrier!  On our way to dinner, in this part of town especially we were approached by some Roma/gypsy women begging for money.  We both said no and kept walking.  Well, apparently my no was not forceful enough, because I was then surrounded by 2 young women and a very short older women  carrying a wrapped up "baby"  - it was fake - jen told me to be aware of this as they think it increases sympathy (I know, I know, some of you may be asking "What's Ott doing at this point?" - I'll get to that). Anyway, one young woman is behind me, one in front of me, and the older women is walking with me, yet she has grabbed my left hand, and her other hand, sneaky as she was, was under the blanket draping from the fake baby and it was headed straight for my bag, which was slung over my one shoulder and across my body like it should be (except not under my coat - thanks Jen - but that's another story!)  Well, when I realized what was happening I reached for my bag, lefted the blanket to see if she had anything in her hand, and more forcefully said"NO!"and walked over to where Ott was, oh yea, laughing!! Now, don't be alarmed, the Roma 

only hang out in this one area. And I'm fine, by the way. Now, Arthur may have another version, the

one from 10 feet away not protecting his wife, but let his version fool you when he tells it to you

later (which he is sure to do)!

We're all home now, ready for bed and a full day tomorrow!

Love and Peace to you all!

M

Hi again,

As I mentioned yesterday, Santa arrived and soiled all of our children with full stockings (not with coal, either) and many other wonderful things.  The girls received digital cameras and are LOVING them!!  Although Arthur and I did not exchange gifts (the trip was the gift), nor did we with Jen and Heath, and I know this sounds dorky, but truly it was so neat watching the kids having a ball, and watching the girls enjoy Freddy getting so many things (as any 2 year old should!!).  Jen secretly took the girls when we were all in Bascarsija (old town - dates back to medieval times and was a center for trading for surrounding villages and is still very busy today - it is really an amazing place to be amongst buildings, cobblestone streets that are that old!!)) to get Ott and I a gift - a beautiful hammered metal plate  - hammered metal is an art form that has been done in the area for hundreds and hundreds of years.  And it was so fun to watch Jen open her gifts from Heath, he actually made her cry by getting framed some beautiful pictures of Freddy, Freddy and Zuzu, the whole family, and an adorable picture Freddy "colored" with crayon!   And,  us being together was an incredible gift!!

The morning was absolutely wonderful, croissants got made and were yummy!  The cousins in their matching jammies, all the playing, and of course, all the snow!!  Perfect!

Then work began on our dinner for the evening.  We made the regular turkey (fresh 28 pounder!), potatoes, then had broccoli, whipped carrots and dressing.  Jennifer invited their "family" here in Bosnia - her housekeeper, Snjezana, her husband, Dzevad, their 2 grown children, Jasenka & Jasenko, and the son's girlfriend, Andrea.  The 3 young adults speak English very well, but the mom and dad really none at all.  We had a great time at dinner, they were so interesting and very, very lovely.  It's difficult to express the generosity of spirit they seemed to possess.   Freddy loves them all, and they return the sentiment.  they were all just very warm and engaging  It was a lovely, leisurely dinner with lots of great conversation and lots of laughing.  A really great Christmas day!

love to you all!

peace,

m 

Hi all,

I'm going to try to catch you up to speed - I'm going to start back on 

Sat. Dec. 22 - we were invited then allowed/given clearance to attend a Santa party in the morning (10 - 12) at the DCM's house (Deputy Chief of Mission - she's is "the #2" just under the ambassador).  Of course, it was was this cool old house with gorgeous woodwork, doors, etc.   And it was within walking distance (for Bosian standards - not suburban American standards), so we bundled up and made the trek.  She invites all the employees from the American embassy who have children.  We secretly sent in gifts for the kids ahead of time then Santa passed them out to the kids.  We got to meet the American ambassador and his family and lots of other incredibly interesting people who have served all over the world. 

When we got home, Heath and Arthur took all the kids to the zoo while Jen and I stayed here to start baking.  We had an absolutely wonderful afternoon, and Freddy had so much fun showing his cousins the monkeys!

Sun. Dec. 23 - All 7 of us drove out to Butmir base.  I was wrong before in stating all the troops have gone from here. EUFOR (EU Forces) troops are stationed here but truly play a very small role.  In fact the only time we have seen "soldiers" is on that base.  Heath has high security clearance so he is allowed to accompany visitors, but that is only because of his position.  Most embassy workers are allowed to go to the base but can not accompany any others.    But it was pretty cool in that they had to take our passports (not the girls) and do this whole processing business before we were handed our visitor badges - then we weren't allowed to be anywhere without Heath - and needless to say we couldn't take any pictures.  The base was not that foreign feeling to Arthur, for obvious reasons, but he, as were all of us, found it interesting that that were PXs for many European countries - Italy, Germany, England, Bulgaria, etc.

Anyway, we  ate at Burger King, yes, Burger King - the single ONLY American food joint in all of Sarajevo!  Then we shopped at the tiny (just bigger than a 7-11) PX - it was full of Cheetos, Totonios pizza, and random other American junk food.   That evening Jen and I went out to Mercator again to finish up our holiday feast shopping.  It is soooo funny how much people  smoke - literally everywhere all the time.  We're convinced we've got black lung just from our short time here! 

Mon. Dec. 24 - Heath, Arthur and I had to do a few errands, so we left Jen with the kids and we drove to the American embassy. We didn't go inside, but we parked there as it was close to some of the things we had to do. It was cool seeing all the security measures in place, especially how they determine a car's access.  We drove through one solid gate, the door went down, yet there was still another gate closed in front of us - so we were in a little holding area.  The security guard did the mirror thing under the car around the whole perimeter, then he took a little wipe of some sort and touche each door handle, the trunk, and the hood and then he put the wipe into a machine to detect for explosive residue.  Finally he checked under the hood.  When we finally got clearance, the barred gate rolled back and a delta barrier went down to allow us through.  I thought the whole thing was just cool.  But I am experience girl!  

Then the 3 of us went to a "flea market" of sorts called the green market - you can buy just about anything.  

We stopped for cappuccino at  relatively low-smoke cafe.  It's been great to go out with Jen and/or Heath because they just teach us so much.  But Heath was saying there was 1 (ONE) - Jen has pointed out to us - place in Sarajevo that has  togo cups for coffee.  It is just a custom to go in, sit down, and enjoy a cup of coffee at least a few times a day - and we're not talking $6 Starbucks coffee, just your basic coffee/cappuccino for $1 - $2.  People are just not  "on the go" people.  They also don't eat food on the go.  It's actually quite refreshing (minus the constant smoke you inhale).  Of course, had another yummy lunch then headed home.

As I had mentioned to some of you, we were invited (along with many other embassy people, of course) to the Ambassador's house for a Christmas caroling that afternoon, early evening.  The residence of the American ambassador is a 7 story building (including underground parking) that is very modern/sleek/Scadinavian in design.  They had a neat 20 foot tree in the main room with all their own ornaments from home and a grand piano.  They remembered all our names, including the girls - I guess that's part of their job, huh?  They had a staff that took our coats, shoes, etc and that continuously served snacks.  Then we got our caroling book, and literally sang Christmas carols!  It was really fun!  As we were leaving the kids all got lollipops, so I asked Emma where she got it and she said "Oh, Patty gave it to me." (Patty is the ambassador's wife!).

We didn't do our traditional dinner for Christmas Eve due to the other event, but we did have a nice dinner at home, then the kids opened their tradtional matching jammies from Grandma - and this year Freddy was included!  They all looked adorable.

I'll finish catching in the next post.  

love you all!!!

peace,

m

Merry Christmas Everyone!!

I know, I know, I have not kept up my end of the blogging deal, but I WILL find time later today to catch you all up and post a few photos!  

Santa has arrived in Sarajevo and it was loads of fun with a 2 year old around - the girls are having as much fun with his as they are with their own new digital cameras.  Rhissa - right now they are playing photographer and setting up all the webkins for photo shoots!  It's hysterical!

OK, off to help prepare our feast for this evening, but PROMISE more today!

love to you all

m

Oh, we've gotten a white Christmas, it's snowing like crazy!!  :)

Let me fix an error from yesterday - the Bajram celebration  - the names I left out were Abraham and his son Issac, who turned into ram at the last moment after Abraham said he would kill him.

Anyway, today we went to the vegetable market, it was not full, as all the vendors were not there because Bajram is a 2 day holiday, but we were able to by fresh carrots, potatoes, mushrooms, pistachios, and the girls' favorite, tiny tangerines - about the size of a golf ball.  You buy everything by the kilo or half kilo (bala kilo).  Everything is grown locally, and it's organic - the national (& Europeon standard).  But I don't think "organic" is a big deal here, as that's just the way it's always been done - no chemicals or pesticides added.   The money used here is the km (some refer to it as the marc).  It is some how tied to the Euro, but it's too complicated for me to get.  Anyway, the exchange rate is about 75%, so 10km would be about $7.50 American.  But the food here is relatively inexpensive - a kilo of the little tangerines was 2 km, so about 1.60, and a kilo is 2.2 pounds - pretty darn good deal!!

Then we shopped a little in old town, we saw lots of cool little shops; rug vendors, hammered metals, pastry shops, some upscale clothing and shoe stores (including a Nike store!).  There is so much to look at, the shops are tiny so there are a ton of them.  We also saw some Roma people (gypsies) on the street begging and we gave one of the older ladies our leftovers from our lunch.  

Again, we had a yummy lunch - although Skylar only had "pom frit" - good 'ole American french fries for lunch. But Arthur had celevipa (sp?) sausages with ymmy pita, and I had kelpe - dumpling type things filled with meat in a tomato sauce of sorts and served with sour cream.  Sooo yummy!

But as we were all freezing to death (-6* C), we're home now.  It gets dark here very early - 4:40ish - it feels night we're in for the night and that I should have my jammies in already!

Arthur, the dedicated Steelers fan, got up to watch them play at 2:30 am last night.  I think him and I are still suffering from a little jet lag, we can't seem to got on track yet.  The girls seem to be doing just fine.

I promise to post photos later tonight - Arthur got some cool ones of some of the neat things, including the mosques, Catholic churches, Eastern Orthodox churches, etc.

love you to all!

m

We have had an interesting day - albeit we didn't do a lot but it was so neat.  We all, ok just me and Emma again, slept late.  I'm not feeling 100% and am hoping it's just lingering jet-lag.  Jen made us a great breakfast, then Arthur and Heath walked to the market close by to get a few things.

As I mentioned yesterday, we were invited to a Bajram celebration.  Yesterday I misspoke, Bajram is not another name for Ramadan.  It is a separate holiday altogether.  They celebrate Bajram 2 x a year, once during  Ramadan and once 70 days later.  It is to commemorate when God told ------ to kill-----, but then -----turned into a ram, and a feast followed.  

Anyway, we walked around the block to a family's house, both of whom work for the State Dept.  She is Bosian and he is American.  They have lived in Africa, India, and now here.  They had the traditional Bosian Bajram food including real Turkish Delight!  Arthur and I thought it was all so yummy, but the girls, much to my chagrin, did not enjoy very much of it. But, they had fun playing, so that's something.

But the people there were all so interesting!  They were all Americans in which one or both of the people work for the State Dept.  They have all traveled so much, one woman lived in Iceland  for 2 years (and met her husband there).  And they talked about various adventures they had had - I was in heaven!  And, of course, asked a hundred questions!     We all spent some time talking about Bosnia and the impression Americans have of the country - that it's unsafe, war still going on, etc, etc.  And that most Americans only know of Bosnia because of the war, but that in fact it's not like that at all.  I mean there are issues, which I'll touch on at another time, but that in fact all peace-keeping/NATO/armed forces have all gone home - a while ago in fact.  

Anyway, incredibly interesting(my computer battery died last night so that's why I'm finishing up today).

I'll try to post again tonight or tomorrow night.  Right now we are headed to the open market (to freeze our asses off) to get fruits and vegetables.  

Love you all!

M

 

   

We're Here!!

We have made it safe and sound!  The trip was really not too bad, 7 1/2 hours direct from Orlando to London, a 2 hour layover, then 2 1/2 hour flight to Sarajevo.   We all received our 1st stamp in our passports!!  It was exciting!   Jen and Freddy were at the airport to meet us, along with a friend of hers to help transport all our luggage (all 7 suit cases plus carry ons and our pillows!)  

The drive from the airport (Butmir)  was our 1st glimpse of the city and how interesting it was!!  The roads and drivers are, well, different than home!!  There don't seem to be too many traffic laws, or at least ones to which people pay attention.  And to add to the chaos, people often walk in the road, as sidewalks are far and few between.  Once we got closer to Jen and Heath's neighborhood, it is quite hilly and the roads are literally, 2 car widths wide and people always park on at least one of the sides and the roads are NOT one way, plus the people are walking and it's icy!!  So it's quite an adventure!

The building where they live is so neat, very unassuming from the outside, but it has 4 apartments and you get to each by climbing this marble, circular staircase.  The veiw from their patio is really cool, too.  There is plenty of room for all of us, so hopefully 2+ weeks won't feel like 6!!  We had a GREAT dinner of take out from a restaurant that they often visit.  It was yummy chicken and steak dishes, a great salad, amazing potatoes, and tons of bread!  We all enjoyed the meal immensely!  The Heath and Arthur went "out on the town" to a party hosted by a Bosian colleague of Heath's celebrating the birth of his new baby!  So many people smoke here, everywhere, I mean everywhere, so Heath and Arthur smelled like a Lucky Strike when they came in - it was hilarious!

The girls are loving playing with their cousin, Freddy - 2 3/4 years old. He is an absolute doll, very sweet natured and gentle, and what a little ham for the girls!! All three of them slept together last night like little angels!

Today, after Emma and I finally woke up, we went out for another adventure - we ate lunch out.  I tried to use Bosian for "hello, may I please have" and the requiste point at the menu, then I tried to end with a "thank you" in Bosian.  I was feeling like a self-conscience American, but she was certainly friendly enough, and Jen knew enough to get us by.

Then we went to one of the big grocery stores - so you can relate, it was sort of like a Super Walmart - inside of a small mall with some upscale clothing and ski shops.  It was incredibly crowded, as it is the night before Bajram (pronounced bye-rum) - it is another word for Ramadan, the major Muslim holiday.  So... it was like being at SuperWalmart on Christmas Eve at home!!  It was a little crazy - in a good way!

We have been invited to a Bajram celebration at the home of some friends of Jen and Heath tomorrow night, it should be pretty fun.  I'm really looking forward to it!

I'll try to post more tomorrow, and maybe try to get Ott to post some of our photos so far!

peace,

monique et. al.

Hi Everyone!

It's the day before we leave and so far it hasn't been too crazy.  Doing laundry, packing, and, believe it or not, a little last minute Christmas shopping!!'m starting to get nervous about leaving the dog, this will be the first time in 11 years Mulligan has ever been to a kennel.  I know I'm going to be a big cry baby when I drop him off tomorrow.

Speaking of tomorrow, all of us go to work and school, then we leave straightaway to the airport, as our flight leaves at 6:30 pm on British Air.  I'm keeping the girls up late tonight in the hope they will fall asleep early once on the plane.  We should land in London at 7:30 am local time (which is 5 hours ahead of us).  After a 3 hour lay over, we will take off for Sarajevo and should land at approximately 4:30 pm  local time (6 hours ahead of US eastern time).

This is my first blog ever, so let's see how we do!

love you all!!!