Exploring Bosnia-Herzegovina has been such a beautiful, immersive experience. I am constantly in awe of how much there is to see, explore and experience here. Sarajevo is completely different from Belgrade in so many ways – it’s a significantly smaller town, but for some reason it seems extremely more vibrant.
Sarajevo is a melting pot of cross-cultural influences, where East meets the West (literally – there’s a line on the ground that shows the East vs West separation). Not only is it filled with Balkan tradition and culture, as well as the remnants and architecture of the Austro-Hungarian empire, there is also a lasting cultural and architectural influence from when the Ottoman Empire controlled the region. Exploring the mosques and hearing the call for Muslim prayer 5 times a day was a really unique experience, and it was amazing to see how individuals of different cultural and religious backgrounds respected this. Sarajevo was also surrounded by vast mountains and nature – a hiker’s dream!
As a true Bosnian, I love to explore around the Old Town of Sarajevo, exploring the colorful bazaars with the wafting aroma of traditional Bosnian delicacies (which are insanely delicious) enveloping me. The food here is incredibly flavorful and unique – with my favorites definitely being Bosnian pot (a hearty broth filled with meat-stuffed vegetables) and Klepe (something like a Bosnian ravioli). One of my favorite activities here is partaking in the daily ritual of enjoying true Bosanska kahva – bosnian coffee. Served in a beautiful hand carved copper/tin plate, this delightful coffee was truly a treat to enjoy while spending at least an hour everyday with friends reflecting on our experiences.
