ABC Wednesday "X" is for....

I was stumped for an X-word for my maritime photo, so I Googled "words beginning with X," and on http://phrontistery.info/x.html I found:

--xebec, a small three-masted pirate ship;
--xeme, a fork-tailed gull;
--xanthometer , an instrument for measuring color of sea or lake water. (Not river water, apparently.)

None of these are in my photo, so I'll just call it "X is for tables with legs like X-es."

Happy New Year!

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Hey! Look up here! We've got glasses!

Sveti Vid is a clinic that offers world-class opthamology to people in this region. Since it's difficult for many Serbs to travel to Europe (visa requirements, financial, etc.) to obtain certain medical assistance they cannot or do not wish to have done here, Sveti Vid brings "Europe to them."The origin of the name Sveti Vid (Holy Vid) appears to come from the deity Svetovid, who is associated with war and divination and depicted as a four-headed god with two heads looking forward and two back. In Croatia, on the island of Brač, the highest peak is called Vid's Mountain, and there is a peak called "Suvid" and a Church of St. Vid. Among the Serbs, the cult of Svetovid is partially preserved through the Feast of St.Vitus, "Vidovdan," one of the most important annual events in Serbian Orthodox Christian tradition. "Vid" also means "sight." The windows in the photo are from Sveti Vid's location on Knez Mihailova, the pedestrian street, not from the clinic.

Note: Having been treated here for a long-term major illness, I can vouch for Serbian doctors' knowledge, skill, and professionalism.

Tropical Belgrade

You can have the best of both worlds, or sort of, here in Belgrade. Visit one of the city's floating bars or restaurants, many of which offer a view of the city. How about "Karibi," which, after a few shots of rakija or šljivovica (RAH-kee-yuh/SHLEE-vo-veet-sa), local brandy/plum brandy, just might make you imagine you're in the tropics. You'll feel warmer anyway.

Corporate housing

Miroslav Mišković, whom you can find more about on Wikipedia, is the second wealthiest person in Serbia. Among his other dealings in insurance, banking, government, real estate, and a chain of shopping malls, he also acquired not long ago several supermarket chains, one of which is called Maxi. And now, it appears, even our feathered friends' homes have fallen under his wing.

Not black and white

Believe it or not, this is not a black and white photo, but just trees I photographed early yesterday morning under dim light!

Got my wish...

Yesterday a wise blogger reminded me, "Be careful what you wish for," when I had said I wanted snow. But Belgrade did get some snow yesterday, just enough for a White Christmas (western Christmas anyway, since the Serbs celebrate on January 7th). It was quite pretty, but I didn't go out much, since Bibi is scared to death of firecrackers, and though there's been a crackdown on them here, they're still illegally available around town, and kids buy them. Bang.

Happy Holidays

No, it hasn't snowed here yet, but I am hoping. I know many of you are snowed in, but I'd just like a little. This is a photo from last year at this time. Not an original shot, but one to wish you readers the very best for the end-of-year holidays you celebrate and a healthy New Year. Be kind to each other, and appreciate each moment.

UPDATE: It's now 10 a.m. and it is SNOWING, so the scene from my window actually does look like this!

ABC Wednesday "W" is for "But WHEN did you leave?"

This sign on my local newsstand reads "I'll be back in 30 minutes."But WHEN did you leave? "

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A flag, of sorts.

I always carry my camera with me wherever I go, as I imagine you all do, too. Sometimes at first I don't see a single thing worthy of a shot, but when I look harder, there's always something there. Such was the case yesterday while I was waiting for the bus after a trip to town. Bored, and still with an empty camera, I turned around to peek through a dilapidated fence and spied this alternate version of the Serbian flag! The flag of Serbia is a tricolor with three equal horizontal fields, red on the top, blue in the middle, and white on the bottom. The same tricolor, in a number of variations, was the flag of Serbia throughout history, and is the National flag of Serbs. I imagine the lady of the house didn't have patriotism in mind at all as she hung out her sheets, but that's the way I saw her arrangement.

A little extra holiday cash

This fountain in front of the Cervantes Institute on Knez Mihailova, Belgrade's pedestrian street, is often a place where people sell books or odds and ends. Kids sometimes sell their old toys, too. This takes place pretty much year-round, but yesterday it seemed as if some folks wanted to make some extra money before the holidays. Nicely displayed books!

On a wing and a prayer

Very busy today and didn't have time to take any photos here in Belgrade! This one is from last Wednesday, when my son and I left Athens. These Greek Orthodox priests were on their way somewhere, but not on our plane. I feel reassured when there's a man (or woman, for that matter) of the cloth on a plane I ride on....

My hand is cold.

It's getting colder. Early the other morning I came across a construction site with a number of large metal pipes. I couldn't resist leaving my stamp on one of them. (Yes, I know better than to stick my tongue on frosty metal!)

Sveti Nikola or Saint Nicholas' Day

December 19th is Saint Nikola's Day, according to the Serbian Orthodox Church calendar. Each Orthodox Serbian family has a patron saint, and my late husband's is Saint Nikola. Serbs who celebrate St. Nicholas as their slava or "celebation," mindful that the holiday occurs in the midst of the Christmas-Advent Fast, observe the holiday in the traditional religious manner and, prepare only no-fat meals on this day. In the first photo you see a slavski kolač (SLAHV-ski KOE-lahcth)or "slava cake," which is like a large brioche. Along with this cake in the second photo, there is the "slava" candle, an incense holder and incense, an icon of Saint Nikola, a glass for wine, and "žito" (ZHEE-toe, cooked wheat berry mixed with nutmeg and sugar), which are the traditional offerings. The priest comes to the house to cut the cake, pour a little wine on top, and light the candle and incense. The custom is for people to drop by in the evening, wish the host "happy Slava," have a bit of refreshment, and perhaps move on to another family celebrating the same occasion.

"Dogs on Thursday" -- Who goes there?

I'm back in Belgrade and it's Dogs on Thursday. Here are two fellow (or maybe girls or one of each) who were very intrigued when Bibi and I walked along in front of their house near the town of Zrenjanin. They were very quiet; just stood and looked.

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ABC Wednesday "V" is for "Very Proud on The Big Day"

Yesterday was the big day for this year's MBA graduates of Athens University School of Economics and Business, and a big day for the entire program, since it marked the 10 years of the program's existence. This is my son, who just received his diploma, yee-HAH. I'd have liked to have cropped the photo for better composition, but I'm working on my little laptop, which doesn't have a photo editing program to do so, but that's not the essential now, right? Proud mama.

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Not Belgrade, but Piraeus

Flew down to Athens last Friday to attend my son's MBA graduation from Athens University of Economics and Business, which is today. We took the train to Piraeus, where we came across this parrot and his owner. The parrot could talk, but it was all Greek to me....really.

Which way to the Galapagos?

Couldn't help but post these guys, the results of a colleague's 6th grade art class at the school where I teach. The New Year 2009 marks the 200th anniversary of Charles Darwin's birth (Feb. 12th like President Lincoln). Students are learning all about Darwin in their cross-curricular program and will celebrate Charlie's birthday when the time times.

If this looks like deja vu, it is. On December 11th, I was using scheduled posting to upload some photos and goofed on this one, putting "1" instead of the intended "15"!

Branka's "Crazy Boxes"

This is my friend Branka, a psychologist by profession and artist by personal choice. She makes these catch-all "Crazy Boxes" out of papier-mache and each one is unique. This photo was taken on Wednesday at the opening of her exhibit downtown. I hope she sells them all!

P.S. It's Branka's birthday tomorrow.....! Happy Birthday!

Mysterious traveler....

Another "taken while stopped at a light" shot. I couldn't make up my mind which version I liked better, so I posted them both. Which do you prefer?

The Evil Chipsy Eaters

Okay, well, maybe they're not all evil, but the girl on the right definitely has a malicious look as she bites into her chip. The one in the middle looks seductive, and the one on the left just looks happy, as most of us are, to be nibbling a potato chip. "Chipsy" chips are really good, too. I took this photo out of my car window while waiting for the light to change.

Dogs on Thursday: And you're worried about YOUR wrinkles!

Many visitors to Belgrade's recent Dog Show thought this Shar-Pei puppy was awfully cute. He'll grow into his skin a bit as he develops, kind of the opposite of humans, who are born nice and smooth, but develop wrinkles as they age!

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ABC Wednesday "U" is for "umbrella"

Not too original with "umbrella," but it has rained recently, and it's supposed to pour tomorrow! Where's the snow?

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White door and wreath in "Bela Crkva"

Taken just a few weeks ago in the town of Bela Crkva (BEH-la TSURK-va), which means "white church." Wreaths here are usually hung on doors for saints' days or village celebrations. Not sure what this one was for, but even though it's seen better days, it's still pretty.

Nadezda Petrovic

Nadežda Petrović, born 1873, is considered the most important Serbian female painter from the late 19th and early 20th century. She is also known as Serbia's most famous Fauvist. In 1912 she opened her own studio, which was sadly short-lived, as Nadežda volunteered in 1914 as a nurse in World War I and died with many other soldiers in 1915, of typhoid fever. Nadežda Petrović on the 200 Serbian dinar banknote.

Fresh fish!

In medieval times, signs like these (without the text) helped people recognize shops. This shop in Zrenjanin (ZREN-ya-neen), about 76 kms from Belgrade, sells all kinds of fresh river fish and will even grill or fry it for you. The Cyrillic text reads, "Ribarnica" (Ree-BAR-neet-suh), and means fish shop/market.

Almost symmetrical

The ground floor of this building is a "bistro-baked goods" shop in Pančevo, a half-hour drive from Belgrade. I was struck by the building's symmetry (or almost!) and that it looks a bit like a movie set. Looks like "things go better with Coke" here, too.

Bugs in Belgrade!

Every year Holiday on Ice comes to Belgrade and is a big success. Every year of course it's on a different theme, and this year it's our friends from Warner Brothers, Bugs and the gang. Here Bugs Bunny is known as "“Duško Dugouško,” the latter word meaning "long-eared." “Duško" is the shortened form of a man's name. Whatever his name is, he's an awful lot of fun, and I am considering buying a couple of tickets. The least expensive mentioned on the billboard ones are 999 dinars, or about 11 euros or $14.00. Just under the word "Bugs" are a number of our City Daily Photo landmarks! Free advertising!

Dogs on Thursday--Out on a ledge

This dog looks pretty scared up there. He doesn't even have room to wiggle.

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ABC Wednesday--"T" is for "Tibet"

I was intrigued by these Tibetan prayer flags, not only because I've hardly ever seen them here, but also because they're displayed around a dwelling way up on top of these stairs, like Lhasa is high in the Himalayas. The chain link fence that I had to photograph through symbolizes for me that Lhasa was once known as The Forbidden City.

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Spotted in Belgrade

Boy, am I glad I had my camera with me (but I always do...) Look who I saw downtown yesterday! He's a bit early, considering that Serbs celebrate Christmas according to the traditional church calendar on January 7th. In any case, Santa distributes presents on New Year's, not on Christmas, which is a quiet family holiday.

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Theme Day--Spheres/Circles: It's NOT from outer space!

Nope, I didn't have a close encounter of any kind with a spaceship. This is the ceiling of the main exposition hall at Belgrade's Fairgrounds, but it sure does look as if little green men could descend from it....

Note: the circles you see are not light bulbs, but little windows that let the light shine through.

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Corn husk dolls

These dolls are made by wrapping dried corn husks to form their shapes. Depending on the artist, the dolls are made of natural color husks or combinations of natural and vegetable-dyed husks. Some have painted faces, such as these. These dolls are not very expensive, and are favorite souvenirs among Belgrade visitors.

Hurry, hurry! Get married now!

If you're single and live in Jagodina (YAH-go-dee-na), you might want to take advantage of the City's offer. If you get married by the end of 2008, you'll be offered a job, 200 euros for your first child (not necessarily before the end of 2008...), and up to 200 euros monthly for every fourth child until he/she is 18. Any takers?

P.S. The text written on the column supporting the billboard reads, "Please do not put posters on this billboard." Considering the billboard is at least 3 meters (9 or so feet) tall, that won't be easy.)

Skywatch Friday-Landmark Lineup

Still cold, but sunny now. This couple is walking in part of the vast Ušće park in New Belgrade. Visible behind them are several landmarks that I've shown you before. From left to right you have The Eternal Flame, then the Beogradjanka building, which used to house a department store and offices, the rounded dome of Saint Sava Cathedral, the Ušće Tower, which had been bombed in 1999 and now is a fancy office building (renovated!), and under the crane is the site of a huge new shopping center, which will feature IKEA, among other shops. WOO-hoo.

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Dogs on Thursday "Waiting for a bite"

It's getting cold....and I guess the fish are still biting. I think both the man and the dog are waiting for a bite here. And speaking of bites, Happy Thanksgiving to you who celebrate. I do, but only this Saturday, since I don't have off today.

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ABC Wednesday "S" is for "Street Art"

Found this on a wall downtown the other week. Yes, on a wall, and that little yellow leaf was just hanging there, probably blown onto the wall when one or the other was damp, and it just stuck there. Street art loves you, but do you love street art?

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Unintentional art

I'd kind of like to have this abstract on my wall. In fact, it could actually be the wall. I found this piece of serendipidous art not long ago down by the river at a construction site. It's a large metal fence/wall panel that had been probably used flat at one time, since it bears traces of rust and paint that form abstract patterns. I actually have a whole series of these photos, and can't make up my mind which one I like best!

Slaving away

Not easy even being a bush these days, especially a lovely topiary creation like this one. Seems as if the statues behind him had other plans for this little guy and didn't want him just standing idle. Water those petunias! (Can you believe this photo was taken just three days ago in nearby Pancevo? It was a freezing cold day, with a major wind...I wonder if the flowers survived.)

Fish Soup

From time to time I do restaurant reviews for a local English-language newspaper and a column on places foreigners may want to visit around Belgrade. It's getting pretty cold, and people may not want to go far, so yesterday I visited the nearby town of Pancevo (PAHN-cheh-vo), about 16 kilometers away. While there, my friend and I stopped in a restaurant and had some spicy fish soup. We even had some extra red pepper on the side, as you can see, some warm bread, and shared a salad, topped with feta cheese. Fairly light meal, since I had to do another review that evening at the Hyatt...oh, la belle vie.

"Lying down" policemen

What do they call them where you live: sleeping policemen, policiers couchés, speed tables, speed cushions, road humps? Here in Belgrade, they're called "lying (down) policemen," and they're basically of three kinds:

1) the "just-keep-speeding-no-damage-will-be-done-to-your-car" type as shown here in front of a school; (?!)
2) the "if-you-don't-slow-down-your-wheels-will-be-knocked-off" type;
3) the "gently-rounded-hill" type;
4) the "obstacle course" kind that are scattered across the road at intervals.

I have heard that in some cities there are even "dynamic" speed bumps, activated only if a vehicle is travelling above a certain speed.

According to a local news station, 7 pedestrians are struck by motor vehicles each day in Belgrade. Some say speed bumps don't prevent accidents. What do you say?

Protective hand gear?

At first I thought this skater was wearing shoes on his hands to protect his hands in a fall. I mean, perhaps he didn't want to invest in protective gear, since other than those shoes, he's not wearing any. But then I thought it's just because he had no other way to carry his shoes to put back on when he's finished skating! Then again, both my guesses might be correct!

Dogs on Thursday: Let sleeping dogs lie.

That's what the proverb says, and it's probably true most of the time. These dogs have settled themselves down on part of a cast-off couch not far from where I live. The black one is looking at me rather ominously, but we are friends, so I passed by unscathed. Stray dogs here are a big problem, and only fairly recently have there been campaigns to get people to spay or neuter their dogs, and to not abandon their pets when they "don't want them anymore." If you'd like to join Dogs on Thursday, click on that box in the left margin.

ABC Wednesday "R" is for "red" facade

My bedroom is painted red, almost a blood red, and I love it. If I owned a house rather than an apartment, I just might paint it red too, like this one in Vršac (VUR-shots), about an hour and a half drive from Belgrade. Click on the photo and admire the ceramic tile grapes above and below the windows. Vršac is known for its vineyards, and you can read a bit more about the town

here .

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Branislav Nušić

Branislav Nušić (NOO-sheech; 1864-1938) was a Serbian novelist, playwright, satirist, and essayist. He also worked as a journalist and a civil servant. When he was 21, Nušić fought in the Serbo-Bulgarian War of 1885. After the war, he published a controversial poem for which he spent two years in prison. The poem ridiculed Serbian King Milan's decision to attend the funeral of the Serbian-born Austro-Hungarian general's mother instead of the funeral of the war's hero, Captain Mihailo Katanić, who died as a result of wounds sustained while saving the regimental flag from the hands of Bulgarians. Nušić's plays in particular are still appreciated today. My favorite is the comedy Gospođa ministarka (The Cabinet Minister's Wife), in which the minister's wife's goes to great lengths to try to be cultured, as befits a woman in her position, which recalls Monsieur Jourdain's ridiculous attempts to do the same in Molière's Le Bourgeois Gentilhomme. Reflected in the building behind this statue you can see the National Museum.

Kissing Carrots

Well, I thought I'd heard it all until I read in the paper the other day that there had been stipulations on the size and shapes of certain vegetables and fruits sold in the EU. Although certain ones of these standards have recently been revised, a cauliflower used to have to be at least 11 centimeters in diameter and a wreath of garlic had to have 16 heads. Worse, small carrots couldn't be any lighter than 8 grams and large ones had to weigh 50 grams with at least a 2 centimeter diameter, and could not display more than one root! So, if even in the fruit and vegetable world, if you weren't good looking, you just weren't going to make it to someone's table. Now that's been changed, EXCEPT for bananas, which have to still be at least 14 centimeters long with a 2,7 centimeter waistline. All I can say is I'm glad I live outside the EU, since I frequently browse the markets for odd fruit that reminds me of artwork....

A present from JFK

Josip Broz Tito was a towering figure in Yugoslav politics for more than 30 years and even after his death his legacy is still felt in each of the former Yugoslav republics. He is largely credited, and rightfully so, for keeping Yugoslavia together for so long, for better or for worse. Tito is also famous for his policy of non-alignment during the Cold War. There's a museum in Belgrade called The House of Flowers, where Tito was laid to rest. I had never gone, but a friend and I dropped by not long ago. I was pleasantly surprised at how interesting it was---you can see his famous blue suit and white suits, massive desk and bookcases that stood in his office, his Mercedes, over 200 batons, each more elaborate than the next, carried by runners during various celebrations, and hundreds of presents received from local and foreign dignitaries. Above is a stationery set received from John F. Kennedy. Well worth the visit should you be in Belgrade...and so far, the museum is free!

The Sleeping Gypsy Part Two

Another "camera on my lap discreetly" photo from me. This poor young Roma or gypsy mother had just conked out while breastfeeding her baby. She slept all through the ride downtown, but the baby woke up as I took the photo. I'd taken another photo of a different Sleeping Gypsy (art lovers will know the painting I'm referring to) here .