Sarajevo, Bosnia Hercegovina

Culture excursion to Sarajevo, BiH, where the people are louder and more quick to smile.
Prior to this trip, we were required to read two books: The Cellist of Sarajevo by Steven Galloway, and Sarajevo; A War Journal by Zlatko Dizdarevic. Seeing what we read is quite the experience.

A tour guide whisked us around to brief us on the complex historical web of Sarajevo. Fun Fact: our tour guide once led a tour for Morgan Freeman!

Two important details of Sarajevo's history is that Franz Ferdinand's assassination happened here which started World War I, and a Serbian siege (basically a genocide) happened from 1992-1995. The effects of the siege are still present and the hurt still remains.

Erin pumped for our first local dish of Ćevapčići 

Grey clouds and rain for the weekend. Pedestrian street by our Hostel. 

Bosnian Coffee and Turkish Delight. 

They call this a "rose." Brought to you by a mortar shell.
(Mind you, this only happened 20 years ago).

Sarajevo nestles in the Balkans. 

My pal, Jesus. Heading up the Catholic Cathedral. 

Panoramic of Muslim Mosque. ("Reading" from left to right; tilt your head to the right first and then to the left. The Center was my zenith.) 

Rugs for Islamic prayers. 

Jewish Synagogue. Chandelier and Dome. 

If you haven't noticed; yes, there is a rather diverse mix-up of religion. All within a half mile radius from each other. The prevailing religion however, is Islam.

Souvenirs! Lots of copper and Bosnian Coffee sets. 

Sure, this seems like an innocent street corner.... but this is the street corner of
the heir Ferdinand's assassination.

Smoking men in the midst of a heated chess match. 

Cobblestone and Minaret.

Hercegovina's city of Mostar. 

Famous for this "crooked" bridge. 

Sarajevo's Muslim cemetery on a hill overlooking the city.