Novi Stan!

(Means "new apartment" in Serbian)

Zdravo again. Made it back to Belgrade and have slowly catapulted back into "real life" (notice two posts in one day!). Objective number one was to find an apartment, so Julia and I signed up with an agency that looks for you and then you pay them afterwards (there are tons that demand money upfront but not trusting that so much). Dusan was my fellow apartment looker/translator as we tramped around most of last Wednesday afternoon and evening with Marija, our agent. Saw tons of stuff and then was struck by one in Vracar. So looked at it again next day (in the daylight) and decided it was what I wanted. I've never rented an apartment before, so this whole process (in a language I still struggle to speak) has been very challenging but positive on the whole. Friday morning came to sign the contract, the owner was late and going to be later when we called, so went to cafe nearby with Marija and Dusan, he joined us. There's something very civilized about reading contracts and discussing terms over espresso. Terribly Belgrade as well. We then all went to the place, did final check through, I handed over ridiculous sums of money and then we had coffee on the roof terrace (and now I've learned how to make Greek/Turkish/Serbian coffee from my landlady). Just fabulous.

Here are some photos of pre-moved into apartment, but it's basically a living/bedroom with a little terrace, entryway with bathroom, then kitchen (with study corner and excellent comfy chair that I'm typing this on). The kicker (besides the natural light) was the roof access - whole roof deck that I share with across the hall neighbors (who I still need to meet), just fantastic. Also the fact the kitchen and bathroom are black, red, and white - what I wanted to do my first kitchen in (so my scale matches!). The neighborhood is residential, pretty quiet but right next to one of the major thoroughfares. I'm about a half hour walk from center where I've been working (was 20 minutes before), and close to both Julia and Dusan. Just great. Already had folks over on the weekend for iced sun tea and then watching "Aladdin" on the roof outside in the dark (power had gone out on the block so better out there).

Of course, the other big event of this weekend was the release of Harry Potter - I picked up my copy at 1 a.m. Glad I'd pre-ordered it since the line was so long. Met another American there, she's also teaching here - maybe we'll get together sometime. It was hard though needing to pack and move-in whilst Harry was calling my name. So adjusted to new digs mostly by reading, unpacking is taking its sweet sweet time (although now that I'm done with the book have no real excuse left). People have left for the sea, I'm going to Kopaonik mountain on the weekend for a 2 week English camp for kids - must be summer in Beograd.

I'll post moved in photos after I get good paintings up and all that, so be on the lookout. Also will send out my new address after we've made everything official with the police.