The Journey Begins...

 

While I have been in Belgrade for almost two weeks now, for the first time I fell like I finally have a grip on the whirlwind that brought me to this beautiful city. So let me start this blog from where it all began...on the plane. 

Flying across the Atlantic, I got the chance to see one of the most beautiful sunsets. A great distraction from my otherwise consistent train of thought: "what the hell are you doing?" Of course, I knew I was going to Serbia to intern at the Belgrade Center for Security Policy for two months. Of course, I understood that this was a great opportunity to travel the world, meet new people, experience new things, improve my resume, make myself more marketable to the international affairs organizations and institutions I would be applying to in 1 year. BUT..."what the hell was I doing?" 

I have an elementary knowledge of Serbian--achieved after 1 year of study. And I know absolutely no one that lives here. I had an iffy idea how to get to the apartment I rented from the airport, and how to get to my internship the next day. So I guess that was a start. Trying to prevent a major panic attack 1000s of miles above land, I concentrated on the lovely dinner courtesy of Delta. For those who can't identify the meat, it is chicken (or attempted to be chicken).

 

One thing I have to say, Delta sure kept us fed. As soon as the plane took off, we received snacks. As I started dozing off (around 9pm), we were served dinner. And right before we landed in Amsterdam (around 1am US time, but 7am local) we were given breakfast. None stop gluttony. 


Amsterdam was lush, green, and foggy...

 

I love that we were able to catch a glimpse of the North Sea as we were approaching the airport. The photo below makes me think the world is flat after all, and if you go too far you will fall off. Amsterdam is at the end of the world.

    

Interesting tidbit about the Amsterdam airport, at least for all the flights I saw going to the Western Balkans (me, me, that's me!). You have to go through a second round of security right at the gate. And at first I thought it was going to be just a show, but no! It's just like the initial security checkpoint to get into the airports. There is a metal detector, you have to remove shoes and belts, take out laptops, dispose of drinks (which were bought at the airport), and let a big Slavic woman pat you down. Although it was in such a small space that while she was patting down the least suspect of characters (ie. little old grandmas), other people just kept walking by despite setting off the metal detectors. Oh, but its the old folks you have to worry about.  

Anyway, on the two hour flight (I repeat 2 hour flight), we also got fed! Take that cross-country flights across America who handout peanut bags. Granted it was sandwiches, and by sandwiches I mean two slices of Wonder bread, with one slice of cheese, one slice of deli cut, and there might have been a tomato. But, take that American airlines! 


Flying into Belgrade Airport was gorgeous. Lush fields, clearly plowed, and full of... perhaps wheat? (I don't claim to be an agriculturalist.) Sunny skies, quaint little villages, Mediterranean rooftops.

 

 

That last picture is not Belgrade by the way. The city is just a tiny bit bigger. 


And, since I am writing this blog, you have by now figured out that I made it safely to my new apartment. Found my internship the next day. Registered with the police. Bought a cell phone. Found food. And managed to more or less survive. So I leave you until next time with this... 

   

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