Days 8+9: A Weekend in Belgrade
Updated: Sep 12, 2022
5/14 + 5/15/22
I had a free weekend to spend however I pleased, and in true local fashion, I took a laid-back two days enjoying the city life.
Saturday morning, we went to the Belgrade Farmers Market. This was a semi-outdoor area, and all around me was the bustle of shoppers and crates of strawberries, cherries, and every manner of fruit, nut, herb and bean. My new favorite from the market. is the rose Turkish delight. It is so good, and the flavor is like a rose in the best way possible. I've never seen so many strawberries in one place. The produce was so fresh and so inexpensive. My friend got what must've been a pound of strawberries for around $6! The berries were so ripe and sweet, and I snacked on them that morning. Also in the market were tons of cut flowers, and one of the most popular being sold was Sweet Williams (see Plant Report No.2), which I am noticing is a Balkan favorite. It took everything in me not to come home with a plant- most were only less than 100 dinar ($1) for some exotic kinds- wow. They also sold there teas, herbs, and fresh cheeses and creams, and meats in the indoor portion.
I was checking out all the plants at this stall, and she told me what they were called in Serbian, and while I didn't catch most, she called the purple sweet potato vine "Ipomoea" which I also knew as Ipomoea! I wanted to have a pet plant for the trip, but my advisor reminded me that going between countries (non EU here) would be more complicated. .The vendor selling some plants and flowers must've seen my excitement with her wares, and she gave me a gorgeous peony flower to keep!! I told her "hvala hvala hvala!!" Now to find what kind of peony it is- because it's my new favorite flower.
One of the biggest cultural differences (and one I love) is how laid back dining is. It's perfectly acceptable and normal to order a coffee and sit at a cafe table, outside especially on a nice day, for hours and hours, even an afternoon. No one will try to give you a check and rush you out like they do in the states.
I ordered a delicious pancake and caramel coffee (and all for under $8) and sat outside at a booth all morning. Only when I flagged down a waitress and asked for a check did I eventually leave. This dining culture is so laid back, and I felt super relaxed.
The ice cream here is also WONDERFUL, and abundant! Every street has an icecream shop, and the flavors are varied and delicious.
I ended my day with some pineapple and lemon-mint ice cream, and we ate it overlooking the city. What a view...
Sunday, I had another laid back day. Truly blissful... Here is a rose cappuccino I had, all for the stunning price of a little over $3.
I sat in the sun and fed some pigeons with the bread my colleague offered me (it was pretty tough bread) and seeing the birds slowly come over and then eat was fun. There was also a sparrow who would fly it, scold the pigeons and swoop out with a whole piece. This little park is full of people, especially families and kids. It's such a nice feeling to be a part of it all.
After a slow morning, I went to take a class at Invictus Pole Studio. The instructors I met had 8 years of training under their belt and were super strong and had lots of expertise. Away from my home studio, they made me feel welcome and I got to experience a class with the Serbian girls! My instructor Andriana switched between Serbian and English, and what I loved is that the word for accomplishment of a combo or move was "bravo!!" I had so much fun in class, and got a great workout with tons of conditioning. I'll be back :)
Ćao for now!
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