Riots

Yes, there were riots at the US Embassy today in Belgrade. Also Slovenian Embassy. There's some video here. Also here is B92 coverage.

I've learned also that I'm a bringer of evil. That's what some of them say on the news - my Serbian has definitely improved.

Perhaps on a slightly irreverent note, I must add that today my cumin lost its will to live and plunged from my spice rack. Coincidence? No. Moved by its plight (as well as its own identity being in question - was it really cumin seeds after all? Or caraway?), separated from other spices by glass, perhaps also it harbored sympathies for those who also want to be apart, independent. Even if that independence means leaving via the trash bag. Sacrifice and all that.

So yes, they've stormed the McDonald's downtown. But I'm safe. And plan to continue being so. Reminds me of when I was in Paris during the riots - there I wasn't a car or police officer; here I'm not a public building so not a good target for rioting. I'll post more as I know it. But still no one seems to be really worried yet.

Oh the pain...

Some excitement here in Beograd. I hear there are tons of cops outside the US Embassy but no protesters. Kosovo is talking about "sticking to its agenda" (whatever that means exactly), I'm watching my news sources but everyone I've talked to expects it to stay a governmental, non-violent affair. Whew. Our recent warden notice (sent to registered US citizens in this fair nation) simply warned against going to public demonstrations of any sort because they could become messy. They always say that though.

We also had a low-level earthquake the other day - I'd thought it was just my neighbor doing something odd below, but no. Crazy. See, anything can happen here. No lie.

Past few days have been very quiet for me - my low back decided that it hated me on Valentine's Day (which I have no explanation for) despite my chocolate consumption. I went to a lesson anyway but could barely walk afterwards. Stayed over at Julia's and two doctors told me they didn't see anything wrong, so loaded me with painkillers and I lay on a bed of pain since I couldn't really do anything else. I did make it home the next day though (and up all those stairs) and haven't left my place since. I've had some visitors for coffee, watched some good movies, just taking it totally slow. Frustrating how my first three day weekend in months and I can't do anything on it (and I for once had what looked like a full social calendar, just to add insult to injury). Since the weather is totally freezing (could this be the reason for no protesters? Possibly.) being inside and warm isn't such a bad plan after all. Today I'm moving less like an old woman and plan to be back on my feet tomorrow no longer taking the simple miracle of locomotion for granted.

That way I can not attend protests more easily if nothing else.

Party photos!

I'm inordinately proud of the party I threw before I went to the states in Dec - more people than I'd expected came, it ended up being an all-night affair and lots of fun for just being a "gathering." There were foreigners from the US, France, Congo, a mix of Serbs from English teachers to art students to doctors - truly a motley crew and a lovely way to see folks before going away for a month. Just when things seemed to be winding down (Nicholas, Raphael and I were the only ones left) Miloš showed up with a French girl, two American/Serbian girls, and sandwiches, starting us off again until past 6 a.m.

Finally I've gotten the photos up - I even had Christmas lights courtesy of Julia and Kata (hvala!). Hope to get some other winter photos of Beograd and beyond posted soon as well. Enjoy!

Elections

In case you've not heard, Tadić won the elections here on Sunday night. It was a close election, although there were record numbers of voters that came out to pick the new president. I didn't vote (for some reason I think I'd have a hard time passing for a guy named Vojin at the polls), but everyone I know did. Which is great to hear. I'll freely admit some relief that the pro-EU guy won (I don't think I'll need to pack up my bags anytime soon for political reasons), but the results show the country's deep divide, he only had about 3% more than his pro-Russia opponent.

Huh. Where have we heard this before? Again I'm struck with the similarities between Serbia and the USA, especially among the people I call my friends as well as those I meet randomly. Figured that elections are a good subject to write about on Super Tuesday- chatted with Tom this morning who freely admitted to being obsessed even though we're both transatlantic. Read a great opinion piece on Obama that made me want to believe so very much that our country might actually turn around, or at least start going down a different path.

So here's to believing that change can actually happen still. Even in this era of cynicism.

(And here's hoping you enjoy Mardis Gras! I went to Carnival party on Friday night thrown by Brazilian embassy types; there were some costumes, lots of dancing, generally a great time. The counsel dressed as an old lady for half the night and rocked out on his guitar, his mother playing percussion. Fabulous. I ended up chatting with a pocket of consultants for US Steel near the end who came from Columbia, Argentina, India, the US (but all based in USA) - again, small random world. Perhaps someday I'll stop saying that...)