Belgrade

Dura Jaksic Famous Serbian poet, painter and writer

Belgrade is the capital and the largest city of Serbia, full of history and legends. The people are really proud about their culture, language and lifestyle. In the recent past Serbia was involved in one of the biggest conflicts of the XX century (The Balkan Wars) after the dissolution of Yugoslavia. Now Belgrade is a strong city with a crescent economy, the people enjoy the  bohemian quarter full of good restaurants and we can see people doing exercises all around.

The legend says Dura Jaksic has decided to quit drinking, but he didn't want to lose his social life so he started his next day as usual and as usual he went to the bohemian quarter and all his friends were there inviting him to have a drink, at the end of the day he achieved to do not drink the all day long, so he decided to have a shot of the traditional Serbian drink rakija to celebrate.

That's Belgrade the city where it's cheaper to buy beer then water (it's true).

How did I get in there?

Looking on line I found the Web site "The man in seat 61" and then I started planing my trip. Departing from Sofia at 8:35 pm aboard the night train I'd arrive in Belgrade at 05:00 am. 

Price: €34.00 (1st day #nohostel #noshower) 

*(notice: there is no longer an overnight train, since December 2016).

 

About 8 hours in the train? It was good enough, the cabin was clean, supplied with sheets and pillows, there was even a duvet, too much for the end of summer time. It was comfortable and I found it very safe, what was my biggest worry. Well anyway I came alone in cabin. In the middle of the travel a border agent has woke me up  asking for my passport, what was expected, 10 minutes later he brought my document back and I could sleep four hours more.

Breakfast

In fact soon after get in Belgrade I've realised that something was happening there, no clue about what was. After a good walk, caring the backpack on the shoulders looking for food, finally I found a bar/restaurant.

The waiter had good English, probably better than mine. I've got coffee and bought cigarettes. Got a sit and asked to the waiter what was the matter of the mess around. Why every-were it was closed with barriers in the streets, the police and even the army was around., then he said:  Gay pride.  

No, thanks the backpack is heavy and I need to charge the phone. I am gonna stay here for a while!

I've spent few hours in the bar having few beers (1€ PER PINT!!!) and a sandwich.

After leave half sandwich behind (that was a damn huge burger) I left the bar and started walking around the city waiting for the ending of the parade. First I went to the market, a place full of different things, traditional food, clothes, toys and many other things.

It was a September's sunny day, about 28°C and a good day for a walk, so I went across a place called Kalemegdan Park

The Belgrade Fortress consists of the old citadel (Upper and Lower Town) and Kalemegdan Park (Large and Little Kalemegdan) on the confluence of the River Sava and Danube, in an urban area of modern Belgrade.

There is a open air war museum in there, lots of tanks.

A planetarium, sports area and...

The museum of the torture.

And much more.

Kalemegdan Park

Saint Petka's Chapel

Lunch time

I've got my lunch in a lovely typical restaurant where I got some of the local deliciousness : A refreshing Felen beer, hamburger served with potatoes and a salad bowl. For everything the bill it was less than 5€!!!

After lunch, I still had some time to find the meeting point to the free walking tour group so I went to walk around the down town, I took this time also to shopping, after all I still had another night in a train in my backpack I had half glass of gherkins, a 3 days old bread and a empty water bottle besides a 3/4 roll of toilet paper.

Shopping done I still had Dinars enough to buy a bottle of rakija to bring to Budapest. Happy days...

Prince Mihailo Monument

Finally I found the group and the best guide that I ever meet, I am gonna put her name here when I find it. Anyway it worths a lot to visit their web site belgradewalkingtours.com
I learnt a lot with  her, histories that the teachers don't tell us.

That's my impressions about Belgrade, a fascinating city, wonderful people and culture. Good food and cheap beer 🍻.
And people doing exercises in everywhere.

Next stop: Budapest