WATCHING THE WORLD GO BY
"Something's going on down there!"
A Yankee-in-Belgrade
Impressions of Belgrade and Serbia and maybe photos from an in-country trip by a long-term ex-pat.
Latest posts
NIGHT BASKETBALL
Too hot in the day for serious basketball, but evening temps make a game possible. (And yes, the ball went in the hoop.)
GANDHI WALKS
I got my hair cut the other day and as I was walking with my walking stick and billowy dress, I noticed I resembled Gandhi! I've posted about India's spiritual leader before and even posted another Gandhi shadow, which you can see RIGHT HERE.
WORD GAMES
Crossword puzzles! I don't do them on a daily basis, but when I have no book to read (or Internet, ha) I like to challenge myself. I do them in English and in French, but was reluctant to do them in Serbian. Over the past weekend, having neither a book or Internet, my granddaughter prodded me to try. Next day I bought my own magazine and it is with the English and French ones on my night table!
WAITING
Came across this trio awaiting their owner/s outside a shop. I sometimes leave my dog tied in front of a store, but only where I can see her since she is of snatch-and-run size.
MELON TIME
No surprise to tell you it has been darn hot here--high 90s, slipping into 100s from time to time. I indulge in melons, all kinds, from watermelon to canteloupe to this honeydew. When very cold, it temporarily soothes the heat.
HOT SUNSET
Last evening's beginning of the sunset. You can tell from the sky (I think) that it was a very hot day, and tomorrow's not going to be any better.
PRACTICAL OR DECORATIVE?
This is the ceiling of a passage leading to a park under a building in my neighborhood. I have no idea at all why these oddly-arranged egg cartons are there. For decoration or do they serve a purpose?
NIKOLA TESLA FOUNTAIN
There is a small green space near a high rise in my neighborhood which is cared for by local residence. They've made one section into a toddler park, another for plants and little statues, and now this one with a small fountain in Nikola Tesla's honor (see the sign in the upper left). Nikola Tesla, the famous Serbian/American inventor did indeed design a decorative water fountain that you can READ…
GREEN GRAPES
I think these grapes will never be wine. They are part of a larger mass of grapevines that form a trellis for shade over an outdoor patio. They are edible now though, albeit a bit on the sour side.
NIKOLA TESLA TAKES A BREAK
I am sure NIKOLA TESLA tiij a wekk deserved break now and then. Wonder what book he's reading. Here he is on a mural.
REFLECTION
The reflection cast from one of the new buildings on an equally new area of the city called Belgrade Waterfront sparkles on the Danube. Belgrade Waterfront is disliked by true Belgraders and long-time expats like I am, because it really clashes with the soul of the city. Visible in the foreground are the ruins of one of the many (now abandoned) floating bar restaurants, which were deemed too tacky…
CINDERELLA TREES
I just had to take this photo of these three evergreens which looked to me like they're going to the ball. See photo I pinched below. Apologies to Walt Disney.
THEME DAY AUGUST 2026--PURPLE
Purple is the theme for August 2026, and for a while I was avidly hunting something purple. Unfortunately, I found it, sort of. I have MISPLACED my purple Transcend external hard drive!!! Unthinkable. I have ABSOLUTELY NO CLUE where it could be. I have looked in all the logical places, the illogical ones, in the refrigerator, etc. and it is nowhere to be found. I truly believe it has found a…
SUMMER FASHION, THE LONG AND THE SHORT OF IT
Two different takes on summer fashion. Me, I prefer loose, billowly cotton or linen dresses.
WATCH YOUR BELONGINGS
On a few local (Belgrade) Facebook groups, I have recently read a number of posts from persons who have been pickpocketed. Most claim they were careful, but we all know pickpockets are extremely skillful and usually work with a partner or two. There's no sense in making their 'job' any easier like this young woman did by leaving her purse behind her on the bench between us. Not once did she look…
THE FROZEN BIKER
Biker on the sidewalk along the Danube (Yes, this is Serbia....) who appears not to be moving, therefore frozen, despite the heat!
WALKING TEDDY
Mom and son are doing okay, but Teddy must have been tired.
THE GAME GOES ON
Two chess players meet downtown for a game of chess. It's still hot here.....
NEEDLEPOINT
This empty field across the street from me is a far cry from an art gallery. Nevertheless, my dog and I discovered a framed (albeit a damaged frame) needlepoint. Any takers?
WAITING FOR THE BUS
I was waiting for the bus, too, though I wasn't nearly as stylishly dressed. The photo behind her is of Hotel Moskva downtown, which I've shown you MANY TIMES BEFORE.
'THE NAME IS POPOV, DUSKO POPOV"
This may seem hard to believe, but it is true. Please read THIS LINK. You will learn that Ian Fleming, author of the James Bond books, was inspired by the flamboyant Serbian counterspy, Dušan "Duško" Popov. Popov came from a well-established Serbian family and this entire building at #5 Francuska Street belonged to them. If you'd like to read the book he wrote (and shell out big bucks since it is…
THE PAINTER
There is a painter who lives in one of the long, concrete, drab Brutalist-style apartment buildings in New Belgrade. apartments near me. For years he's taken it upon himself to beautify the colorless walls separating the building's entrances. Here is an example.
NO PIROSHKY FOR ME
I adore piroshky, but not in 90-degree weather. The little stand selling same is closed....wondering why, ha.
OPEN YOUR MOMENT OF JOY
The sign reads, "OPEN YOUR MOMENT OF JOY". Somebody should go and boy these girls a bottle of this juice.