BEGINNING IN BOSNIA 

My first week in Bosnia was so eye-opening. Before coming to Bosnia, I thought all countries were alike. I knew there would be differences, but I thought that it would just be small things. I mean we’re all from different parts of the world, but we couldn’t be all that different from each other. Let me tell you one thing though, Bosnia is nothing like the United States.

Everyone wanted to visit each other! It didn’t even matter what time it is. One-time Senadin’s neighbors came over at 12:00 am. I mean I was young at the time, but in Salter Path (my hometown) no one was out of their house after 10:00 pm. They also don’t visit for just an hour. Oh no when you have guests coming over it will be about a 4-hour gathering. Maybe it’s my antisocial tendencies but I was not familiar with having so many guests! In Bosnia, it’s also a custom to give your guest first class service when they visit you. I’ve seen Senadin’s mom cater to some very demanding requests from guests. Usually, the woman of the house is the hostess. Let me tell you those women know how to make someone feel welcomed and taken care of. Bosnian ladies are some of the best people I have ever met!

The next thing I noticed is that everyone dresses so nice! It’s true Europeans have better style. Something Senadin taught me was you have your around the house clothes and you have your city clothes. You won’t ever catch a Bosnian at the grocery store in sweatpants and a tee shirt. If You go to the city, you better be ready for the runway. Who do you know that has never worn sweatpants to Walmart? I love fashion and I love to dress up, but come on I’m not getting dressed to the nines, just to go buy some eggs and milk! When Bosnians aren’t getting dressed up and hosting guests, they are drinking coffee at a café in the city. It’s kind of the “it” thing to do. Since traveling all over Europe drinking coffee in a café is the cool thing for all Europeans to do. Before coming to Bosnia, I didn’t even like coffee but after 1 week in Bosnia all I wanted was coffee. So, I do understand it coffee in Bosnia is more than just coffee. It almost like a ritual. It’s time to spend with your friend or family. It’s nice to be able to catch up with someone, you get to have a heart to heart or just take your mind off the day.