Some new places to discover

So the original plan after my training trip in Eastern Europe was to go back to Croatia for more sun and party... but then thought, why don't i actually go somewhere new? So i did... From Budapest to Sarajevo... beautiful quant tiny city in a valley with big green mountains all around. They actually had the 1984 winter olympic games here... so there you go. On the same theme - it was frigin freezing (in here Mr Bigglesworth). Yet the cold (14C) and rain didn't put me off as i headed out to see what was going on there. My hostel guy, Tark, was so kind as to show me around and i had a fantastic opportunity to get an incite as to what its like to live in Sarajevo, be Bosnian and what life was like during the war. In the oldest part of the city (wierd to call it a city as it's so small!) is the Turkish quarter and that's exactly what its like! I thought i was in Turkey! I really enjoyed this as i thought i was a little off the beaten track and definately not in Europe. Mostly because of all the mosques everywhere. There are heaps of them, small and beautiful, you hear the call to prayer around this area (which is where i stayed). I met some guys from Brighton on the train on the way there and we hung out that night and smoked Arghile (or sheesha or hookah... whatever you want to call it). It seemed pretty popular with the majority of the muslim youth (can't drink... so smoke some flavoured water pipe).

The next day i took the 8hr bus journey to Belgrade, Serbia. I'd heard many great things about the nightlife of this capital city, so my expectations were high. Admittedly, i was disappointed on the first 2 evenings as i headed for the barges on the river, but apparently the 'shitty weather' we were experiencing at the time corresponds to the popularity of these floating discoteques. RnB just aint my thing! Hung out with some other aussie travellers i met and once again, one of the hostel guys, Gagi, showed me around the city. He took me to a very cool/beautiful Afganastani bar, can't remember the name, but you should go there... very nice Rakija!
Finally on the last night, a friday, i went to a party in the fortress called GreenBeat. Progressive House with Felix da Housecat and Darren Emerson. The latter suprisingly sucked big time, but the people i met were awesome. Big up to Darko and his crew!
Serbian people, no, let me say that the younger generation plus some of the older generation - are some of the most friendliest, up for it people i have met. Plus, from what i saw at this party, extremely goodlooking (and i'm talking about the guys even more so!) Now, in contrast, i also had the WORST customer service when i purchased my bus ticket to Zagreb, but it was so bad, that i thought it was funny...
Was eating a piece of pizza, waiting in the line
Saw a window without anyone there, my mate asked if she was open, finaly she said yes...
I went over and asked through the tiny air space in the plastic window for a bus to Zagreb at 11.30 tommorrow...
She took about 1 minute to look up at me and with the most disgusted look i have ever
witnessed she finally says, 'finish your food, then come back to me'
I give my food to my mate who then steps out of sight.
Then i ask for the same thing again, this time with 'molim' at the end (please)
Another minute passes.
Finally she looks up at me (trying to think of a good similie that really describes that look of disdain - fuck it, its taking too long!)
'what do u want?'
i say the same thing, the third time now...
she presses some things on the computer and asks what time
Then how many passengers
then asks that again...
She points to the price which comes up on a screen, i hand the money over.
I ask what platform it leaves from... (maybe it was too much?)
And with the final look that could have shattered that flimsy communist time plastic window (maybe i can start a new cliche or myth or something - you know, like being ugly can shatter mirrors, so too and being so fed up with life and showing it everyday in you services job)
she finally tells me '26' ... wow, never had such a... not painful, i actually thought it was hilarious, experience at buying tickets!
I understand it all though. During communist times everyone had a job therefore, u didn't have that much work to do, and because everyone else around you were poor, it was probably more bearable. Now there is less work, and the pay is shite (average €300 per month) but due to inflation things are getting relatively expensive (ie clothes etc).
I loved the laid back attitude of the Serbs... they only do enough to get by, and live more in the moment.

All in all, i loved the two places, and can't wait until i go back to Belgrade. Will definately go to the EXIT festival next summer.