I like, love, adore and enjoy traveling.

(Which shouldn’t come as a surprise since you’re reading what I imagine to be a travel blog.)

Yet so it happened that I’m mainly traveling abroad. It’s more available than ever, and the world is so big and beautiful and waiting for me to discover it and see in person everything I’ve been longing for since… well, forever.

It’s easy to end up seduced by the very world and forget about what’s in my backyard.

Well, not literally. (Though there is a cherry tree and I should pick some while they’re still good.)

I’m talking about Serbia, my home country.

Foggy Home

One morning in December I had to get up really early because I had a contract to sign somewhere in Belgrade (I'll spare you the details). The venue was really far away from my friend's place, and honestly I don't even remember when I'd gotten up that early the last time... Anyway, it was a very foggy morning, and as I was done at about 8:15 and had nothing to do until 3 PM, I decided to take a walk instead of a bus and just hang around by myself. And my precious Belgrade. I've always had a feeling of home there, which annoyed my parents when I was at the beginning of my studies there, but after some years they got used to it. I like places easily - I fall in love with places easily. There are a ton of places where I would like to live just for a little while, if not more - if only I could be a nomad! But there is not one single place in the world that makes me feel like Belgrade does.

Instagram Jul & Aug: It Should Have Been Summer

This time I won’t mourn over the past two months and how time flies and this and that; we’ve entered September so it means New Year’s is just around the corner, and you canot neglect that fact. Moreover, it’s my birthday in few weeks and to be honest, it’s hilarious that I’m turning 26 and I’m still being asked for my ID when buying... ummm, when entering clubs. :) So, if you’re living in Europe, this past summer was probably one of the worst you’ve experienced – weather-wise. Actually, did I just say summer? I don’t know what was wrong with it, but it was summer for maaaybe ten days. Two weeks? Apart from the beginning of June, Germany was cold. I was looking forward to going home to Serbia, wholeheartedly hoping it would be warmer there because hey, it’s in the south, right? – but nope, Serbia bailed on me. I mean, okay, I did experience some sunny days and a few were even hot, but rarely would it exceed 30 degrees Celsius. Which is fine if you ask me, but it’s not normal for this time of the year! In Serbia we’re usually swimming in our sweat during the whole months of July and August, so excuse me, but this sudden change is not normal, no matter how convenient! And back in Germany I had to admit that the fall was here – not later but in mid-August. How awful is that?!

Summer in the City: Belgrade, Serbia

Few weeks ago my friend Tamara had an idea of us and some other friends exploring Belgrade for a whole day and taking photos of it for my blog. Yay! Such a sweetheart. We wanted to make a locals' insight for prospective tourists - what to see, where to go, where to eat breakfast, lunch, dinner, where to go out. But eventually, my visit was much shorter than I had expected and then we only had a couple of hours to fool around with her camera. Plus two more girls, whom I hadn't seen for a long time, joined us, and you can imagine that reunion with old friends is more about fun than work. I'm not complaining though, it's how it should be. :) It reminded me once more what a beautiful city I used to live in. I mentioned it in an earlier Belgrade post, I will always consider it home.

Instagram Spring

It's been a while, again. This semester is actually much more demanding than the previous one - which is good! I've been reading a lot and really enjoying some of my classes. Before I started my master's I had a vague idea about what I wanted to do in the future. But now I feel even more lost, because every week I'm discovering new amazing stuff that can be done in linguistics, and eventually I would have to choose what to do for my thesis, not to mention PhD if I eventually decide I want to pursue one. (That's a really tough decision to make and I keep delaying it, even though it's high time I did it...) Not to mention the fact that there are some really inspiring people teaching us here at the University of Potsdam, and they make even the disciplines I was never much into look waaaay more interesting that I ever thought they could be!

Anyway, the beginning of the semester was a bit more relaxed, so I had the chance to travel a lot. It was hectic, but very exciting and so much fun! Looking at these Instagram photos makes me want to go back to all the marvellous places I had the chance to visit. I'm one lucky girl, I must admit. :)

Home Is Where Your Heart Is (How many hearts can you have again?)

I adapt quickly. I like to consider that one of my best features. I tried to explain that to my friend, but unfortunately I started with "I’m a really cool person" and then she couldn’t hear anything else. But I am! :) Haha, what I really wanted to tell her is exactly this: I adapt easily and I don’t make a fuss about where I live, and plus I tend to like it quickly as well.

I still remember the date I moved to Belgrade (another of my features, I remember dates, not because of the dates themselves, but I usually make a connection to something. The same goes here). It was September 27th 2007, the day after my 19th birthday. I think in not more than three days I felt as if I’d always lived there. As if I belonged there. That’s also the feeling I still have when I get to Belgrade, even after not living there for more than a year, and it sometimes scares me. Because it’s not the only place I belong to anymore, and I’m a bit scared of a moment where I would have to choose where to go and settle down. But as a book character would say – "I’ll think about that tomorrow."

When I travel to Belgrade from my hometown, I have to cross river Sava while approaching the city. For years crossing this bridge made me have butterflies in my stomach. I felt as if I was hugging the city with my eyes. I’ve always regretted not being able to hug a city. I think it’s a love equally important as love for humans.

Where Polka Dot Grew Up (If She Ever Did)

Main street

Hello everyone,

Last time I mentioned that I was in Serbia. That's right, I skipped two classes to come home - I better not do that too often! :) I had a lovely time home, spending time with the two most gorgeous people in the world a.k.a. my parents, then visiting my sister in Novi Sad, where she studies - she's a bit more serious about her studies so she could only spend a couple of hours with me - and finally I was off to Belgrade where I attended a friends' wedding and met as many friends as I could for a weekend. The wedding party was lovely, and to tell you the truth, it was actually the thing that was the crucial factor in me deciding I was coming to Serbia!

Anyway, as I keep posting lovely places on my blog and informing everyone where I live and travel, I decided to show you where I came from. This time the star of my blog post is Sombor.

A Very Late Instagram Post

I was really surprised to realize that I haven't posted Instagram posts for quite a while now. So here's a very late Instagram post, from November and December last year. I look at these pictures and see how I fell in love with Finland. It took me a while, but then it struck me as a lightning and it's gonna last forever.

Clockwise: wool hats displayed in Joensuu Arts & Crafts market; learning colors in Finnish; beautiful autumn
landscape in Joensuu; vitamin D pills called Aurinko - "The Sun"

#lifestyleserbia

I am absolutely in love with the campaign Lifestyle Serbia by National Tourism Organisation of Serbia! Three girls joined to show a youthful, urban Serbia. Contemporary and fast, but never missing an opportunity to sit down and catch up with friends over coffee. Serbia of 21st century, but one that respects tradition. And shares it on Instagram. Serbia that loves sunshine, its rivers & mountains, and knows how to enjoy every moment. Serbia that knows – you only get one life. 

I hope you enjoy the photos of my beautiful country. See some more on the website or on Instagram under the hashtag #lifestyleserbia.

Edit: Unfortunately, after some time, the website was shut down.