This article was submitted by ISA BELLE, a Dutch student studying in Herzegovina.
The Ottoman rule over Bosnia officially ended in 1908 when the country was annexed by the Austro-Hungarian Empire. They have left the Bosnia for over 100 years now, but their influence over Bosnian culture is hard to ignore. The famous burek was a traditional Ottoman food; Bosnians still drink a lot of Turkish coffee; 40% of the population are Muslims; folk music sounds remarkably Turkish, and most old buildings in Old quarters were built in Ottoman style.
This article was submitted by ISA BELLE, a Dutch student studying in Herzegovina.
Bosnia-Herzegovina must certainly be the world-champion in fitting several schools under one roof. A common phenomenon in this country is the so-called ‘two schools under one roof’ which means that there are two different ethnic groups enrolling in a different school curriculum in the same building. One group usually starts early in the morning until noon, and the other begins right after until dinner time.
By ISA BELLE
The Old Town, or Stari Most as the locals say, is the pride of Mostar. It was inscribed on the UNESCO world heritage list in 2005. The showpiece is the famous Old Bridge (Stari Most), built by the Ottomans in the 15th century and characterized by cobblestones, truly a beautiful place. The bridge, however, is not as old as you may suspect. It was destroyed during the Bosnian war and has been rebuilt since and opened just in 2004.
This article was submitted by ISA BELLE, a Dutch student studying in Herzegovina.
I was abruptly woken up by the alarm clock. My head was heavy, and I could not properly open my eyes or get out of the bed. Why should I anyway when the bed was so warm? But you know what? It was not even my alarm clock. Shit! I could have slept for at least half an hour more.Situations like these await you every day living in a three-person dormitory room. But who complains? There are some sacrifices you have to accept when you want to experience the adventure of finishing your high school abroad, sharing a small territory with two incredibly interesting roommates from the United States and Russia in an incredibly interesting town called Mostar.
This article was submitted by ISA BELLE, a Dutch student studying in Herzegovina.
A student’s life is not the most active. Thus I like to go for a run once or twice a week. Running keeps me fit and makes me feel healthier and stronger, but most of all after the exercise I feel an incredible surge of energy. Running gives me the opportunity to empty my mind and to listen to the rhythm of my steps and the beating of my heart.
This article was submitted by LISA DRITTENBAS, a traveler in Bosnia.
My friend Yanush and I arrived in the pouring rain one cold, early December day in Mostar. We tried to find a couple of hostels but they were all closed. Finally, we ended up at Hostel Miturno, the last hostel on our list, whose doors were also closed. The nice lady in the shop next door called the hostel manager, Armel, and soon we were comfy in our sleigh beds with a big powerful heater drying our drenched clothes. Although there were only a few guests, Armel was so hospitable.
This article was submitted by ISA BELLE, a Dutch student studying in Mostar, Herzegovina.
Trebinje is a city in the far south of Bosnia and Herzegovina, part of Republika Srpska entity. Only 10km from the Adriatic Sea and 24 km by road to the jewel of Dubrovnik makes it a perfect day trip from there. It is a little bit longer by bus from Mostar for those who want to start the excursion from there.
This article was submitted by ISA BELLE, a Dutch student studying in Mostar, Herzegovina.
People in the Balkan love football, and Bosnia is no exception. They play, watch and support big clubs from the English Premier League and then fight about it. There have been several occasions when I was not allowed to leave my house in Mostar because the city’s rival teams were playing against each other resulting in riots after the game. Local people say that it has less to do with the match than the temperamental Balkans who need to burst.
This article was submitted by ISA BELLE, a Dutch student studying in Mostar, Herzegovina.
In my last article, you can read about the cross on the Hum, the hill dominating Mostar. Although being a topic for argument, it’s one of my favorite places. Not because it is a cross (I think it’s ugly) but because the space takes me away to nature while being in a big city, and offers stunning views of the hills and mountains that surround Mostar.
This article was submitted by ISA BELLE, a Dutch student studying in Mostar, Herzegovina.
You cannot miss it when you are in or around Mostar: the huge cross (33 m tall) on the Hum Hill which dominates the city. You can see the cross from most spots in Mostar because it is illuminated even at night. It seems to stand there quietly and peacefully, but nothing could be less real.
This cross has been a topic of discussion ever since it was first erected in 2000. The cross is, of course, a religious symbol for the Catholic Croats in Mostar; it’s a part of their religion. According to Bishop of Mostar who spoke at the opening ceremonies and dedication for the cross, “its presence there is “to spread the fruit of peace to all sides of the world.”
My name is Cindy, also rhymes with travel junkie. A friend said I was probably a gipsy in my previous life. One of my many secret missions in life is to convert you to run off every once in awhile.
