I decided to spend this last weekend, my last weekend in the Balkans, exploring Kosovo. For a brief background on the politics surrounding the relationship between Serbia and Kosovo, please refer to my previous blog post.
It was a great feeling going from Serbia, a country where Americans are not very well-liked, mainly due to the bombing campaign coordinated by NATO, to Kosovo, a country where Americans are LOVED. I actually don’t think I’ve ever been to another country where Americans were so highly regarded.
I could feel the love even through a music video I saw on one of my many bus rides of the weekend. Behind the singer, three flags were displayed: from left to right they were Kosovo, Albania and the U.S.
Here’s a quick photo summary of my weekend in the country.
Pristina - View of Pristina, Kosovo.
Mitrovica Bridge - This is a bridge in Mitrovica that dividies the Albanian side of town from the Serb side of town. On either side of the bridge the flags, languages and currencies are different - Albanian and euros on one, Serbian and dinars on the other.
Mother Teresa - While Mother Teresa was born in Macedonia, her parents were of Albanian origin.
Serbian Flag - Serbian Flag hanging on the Serb side of town in Mitrovica.
EU - Political graffiti is common all around the country.
Self-determination - Political graffiti stating "No Negotiation, Self-determination."
NEWBORN - The NEWBORN sign in downtown Pristina - this was erected right before Kosovo declared independence. At first I thought all the writing was graffiti, but it's actually people's signatures.
Destroyed Homes - In 2004, riots erupted against Serbs in Prizren, Kosovo. These are remnants of destroyed Serb homes.
Destroyed Homes 2 - Broken windows in a destroyed Serb home.
Destroyed Homes 3 - Barbed wire around a destroyed Serb home.
Destroyed Homes 4 - Inside of a destroyed Serb home.
Mosque - A mosque in Prizren.
UNMIK - Building for the UN Mission in Kosovo.
KFOR - The Kosovo Force is a NATO-led force in charge of keeping security in Kosovo.
Bill Clinton Boulevard - There is a huge picture of Bill Clinton on Bill Clinton Boulevard in Pristina.
Amazing photos, please post more! I am so curious as to what Kosovo looks like. Safe travels back to the states.
laurie