Savi and I headed out of town for the last time on Wed. Overall, my time in Tuzla was pretty great, but I think that may have a bit to do with the fact that we got out of town every chance we could! The people I have met have been some of the most genuinely friendly individuals I have ever encountered. It was actually a little sad to say goodbye. Of course, I assured everyone that I would return someday but I had to make a little money first.
One last goodbye to Portland, Stephanie, and Allison. It was great to hang out with some other Americans on the other side of the world. Best of luck to you with your futures, I'm sure you will all do amazing work.
I've met up with some classmates in Sarajevo to finish out the summer with. For those of you who couldn't make it, we miss you! The perfect ending to our two months here was Čevapoff 07. Unfortunately, Scott wasn't victorious but he had a good showing. Quite frankly, I think both of the men in our program are insane.
I've got two days to go before heading out to Dublin. I'll post my picture with Seamus as soon as I can!
e premte, 3 gusht 2007
e hënë, 23 korrik 2007
Heat Wave
Scott came up to visit us this weekend, those of you who chose to stay in Sarajevo missed out! We showed him everything there is to see in Tuzla, including the town center and the river (where everybody hangs out at night). It took about 20 minutes. I'm sure the bus without air conditioning totally made the trip for him. On top of that, it also happened to be the hottest weekend on record for us so far, with temps. well above 100F. Savi and I spent most of the time in our pjs because its the coolest clothes we own. If we aren't the perfect hosts, I don't know who is?!
The director of our program was nice enough to let us know that the heat wave in Bosnia made the local news in Denver. Great! I don't want to hear any complaining from people in PHX when I get back. I know who has taken over my air conditioned room!
The director of our program was nice enough to let us know that the heat wave in Bosnia made the local news in Denver. Great! I don't want to hear any complaining from people in PHX when I get back. I know who has taken over my air conditioned room!
Taxi Drivers
I'm going public with an extremely frustrating problem that up until this weekend I've been a little embarrassed about, my love-hate relationship with taxi drivers. Each day I have to hop in a taxi to get to and from work. I've been doing this for six weeks now so one would think I'm a pro at it, sorry to disappoint! I know the names of my stops, and the correct pronunciation (I think) but everyday its a different story. Perhaps instead of saying 'SLAVinoviči', I wind up saying 'SlavINoviči'. People look at me like I'm from another world. I know I should have learned more Bosnian before coming over here, but is it really that hard or are they just trying to make me look like an American idiot?!
I'm coming clean with this now because of a conversation with Scott and Savi this weekend in which we all fessed up to having the same dreaded knot in our stomachs when hailing a cab. I can't tell you how nervous I am every morning knowing that I have to go through this twice each day! I never thought I'd say this, but I actually miss the cab drivers in Chicago! The upshot is that I can take a taxi from one side of town to the other and pay the equivalent of 75 cents. Today, I was victorious getting both to and from the clinic looking like a true Bosnian (so far as I know)!
I'm coming clean with this now because of a conversation with Scott and Savi this weekend in which we all fessed up to having the same dreaded knot in our stomachs when hailing a cab. I can't tell you how nervous I am every morning knowing that I have to go through this twice each day! I never thought I'd say this, but I actually miss the cab drivers in Chicago! The upshot is that I can take a taxi from one side of town to the other and pay the equivalent of 75 cents. Today, I was victorious getting both to and from the clinic looking like a true Bosnian (so far as I know)!
e mërkurë, 18 korrik 2007
My new boyfriend!
I'm sitting here in the Mercy Corps office which is shared by about eight different people and I strongly suspect that the computer tech has taken a liking to me. I don't know why because I haven't said a word to him, but he keeps offering me all sorts of refreshing beverages. I've sampled his homemade juice (it was actually pretty yummy), and he just brought me a tasty macchiato. That is precisely what I needed to cool me down on a hot summer day in an office without air conditioning! I think my chin is sweating again.
Just so you all know, he might be ten years younger than I am but I think he has all of his teeth! He's a keeper!
Just so you all know, he might be ten years younger than I am but I think he has all of his teeth! He's a keeper!
M.I.A.
I realize that it has been a couple of weeks since my last post, the internet is not always easily accessible over here. I could tell you that I've been slaving away at my internships, but lets get real! No one else seems to be working too terribly hard over here, so I decided to take a little time for myself. After a quick trip to Dubrovnik to work on my tan, I headed back up to Sarajevo to attend a genocide conference. I think the highlight for me was trying to slink further down in my chair as some political science prof. from Rutgers attempted to explain to a room full of Bosnians just how the war actually started over here. Apparently, he is always right and those people who lived through it don't have a clue. Its moments like that which make me proud to be an American.
After the conference was over, I hopped in a car and headed to Montenegro. Savi and I will be forever indebted to Julie and Hannah for letting us crash their vacation. Our quest was to learn more about the culture of the area and I think we came up with a few surprises.
After the conference was over, I hopped in a car and headed to Montenegro. Savi and I will be forever indebted to Julie and Hannah for letting us crash their vacation. Our quest was to learn more about the culture of the area and I think we came up with a few surprises.
- Apparently it is ok for the Montenegrin police to swig down a few beers while setting a speed trap. Then when the only currency that four silly American women have is the lowly KM, they're nice enough to offer to hold on to your documents while you hit up a Bankomat. That didn't go over too well with our driver so they finally let us go with a blast from their siren. I know its hot out and I'm all about cooling down with a pivo, but come on!
- There really is a difference between the languages in each country. For instance instead of hvala (Bosnian), in Montenegro its hvala. Still haven't figured that one out!
- Finally, diesel is a great fuel and can take you on a super long road trip while only having to fill up once. That is of course unless you insist on having the gas station attendant put in unleaded gas. At least we now know why Julie is referred to as JDiesel!
e enjte, 5 korrik 2007
Happy Fourth!
Patrick from Portland came to the rescue and threw a 4th of July party last night, complete with potato salad, cole slaw, hot dogs, and beer! We had a great time sharing our holiday with his Bosnian friends from work and our Argentinian friend. I even duped her into wearing her red inspi(red) shirt from the gap to show off her patriotism! I'll try to post pics later. We also met another student (from Stanford) who is over here volunteering for the summer as well.
We didn't have any fireworks, but its incredible how rain always seems to intrude on this holiday! We tried to make a break for home when it was only sprinkling out, by the time we finally found a taxi we were completely soaked. Serves me right for complaining about the heat :o)
We didn't have any fireworks, but its incredible how rain always seems to intrude on this holiday! We tried to make a break for home when it was only sprinkling out, by the time we finally found a taxi we were completely soaked. Serves me right for complaining about the heat :o)
What am I doing here anyway?!
So things have changed slightly from what I have posted at the bottom of the page, here is an update of exactly what I'm doing. On Mondays and Tuesdays I sit in on group therapy sessions at the community mental health day clinic. The people seeking help here have all experienced some form of trauma. Basically, I sit there for three hours and listen to people discuss their issues in Bosnian. Believe me, there is only so much you can pick up by watching body language and facial expressions! After each session, the therapist explains what was discussed. Then we go over any questions I might have. For instance, I am curious why they have women who are still in domestic violence situations in the same group as war veterans. While learning how they handle group therapy is interesting, I think it will provide me with more examples of what not to do!
At Mercy Corps/CRP I have been working (I use that term loosely) on a reintegration process for people who are still waiting to return to the home they were forced from during the war. We have traveled to several collection centers to interview the beneficiaries in order to determine what they need to make their return successful. It has been amazing to see how different people have adapted to life after the war. Some have created a nice little home, while others live in horrible conditions and don't know what they can do to change their situation. My project description originally called for overnight travel, however, someone at DU forgot to include my accommodations in the budget (I know those of you who are affiliated with DU are completely shocked!). Easy to overlook. Needless to say I will be meeting with our director as soon as I get back to Denver. As a result, I am working in the office for a few days to come up with information regarding vicarious trauma and self care for the staff. Apparently they have never received any training in these areas, and I recall this being mentioned once or twice over the course of the year. I think next week I make have to practice some self care of my own and head to Dubrovnik, Sarajevo, and Belgrade.
At Mercy Corps/CRP I have been working (I use that term loosely) on a reintegration process for people who are still waiting to return to the home they were forced from during the war. We have traveled to several collection centers to interview the beneficiaries in order to determine what they need to make their return successful. It has been amazing to see how different people have adapted to life after the war. Some have created a nice little home, while others live in horrible conditions and don't know what they can do to change their situation. My project description originally called for overnight travel, however, someone at DU forgot to include my accommodations in the budget (I know those of you who are affiliated with DU are completely shocked!). Easy to overlook. Needless to say I will be meeting with our director as soon as I get back to Denver. As a result, I am working in the office for a few days to come up with information regarding vicarious trauma and self care for the staff. Apparently they have never received any training in these areas, and I recall this being mentioned once or twice over the course of the year. I think next week I make have to practice some self care of my own and head to Dubrovnik, Sarajevo, and Belgrade.
Abonohu te:
Postimet (Atom)
