I was born in Belgrade, Serbia and have lived in North America for all but the first two years of my life. I grew up speaking Serbian with my parents and almost every year since moving to North America they would ship me back to Serbia for the summer months. Some of my greatest memories were born during those burning Belgrade summer days, and now as a somewhat “grown-up” my heart yearns to go back. Almost all Serbs outside of Serbia suffer from nostalgia and when I discuss this feeling that comes creeping over me with my other Serbian friends, we always notice that it arises around spring. The warmer weather triggers something inside of me, a calling for home, a need to go back and be surrounded by my own. It’s strange how it works considering how little of my time I actually spend there- yet there is this great attachment, an instinct to go back to the land, the people, the culture, the food, and the city of my birth: Beograd, “White City”.
A View of New Belgrade from Fort Kalemegdan
There is a time in the spring, the spring, always in the spring, it always reminds me of you. And no matter how hard I try, no matter how hard, I always, always, will miss you. There’s something about you, the way that you, that you, remind me of home. And even if only I spent so little of my days, my days, those days are the ones I long for most. My house, my old house, the only one I’ve known. You wait for me and I yearn for you, and in summers one day we will rejoice. My people, those people, so sad and proud, you are mine and I am yours. Your streets, my streets, crowded with spirit, the spirit of resilience and poise. Your nights so turbulent and unexpected, I wake with a hangover of joy. Sunrise, oh sunrise, over the rivers two, kissing eternally for lovers on the fort. The view majestic, old and new, our problems, one day, eventually, we will sort. Onward and forward, let shells fall again, our passion, this passion, is here great lady, till the very bitter end. My White City.
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Here are a couple of links with info on the beautiful city of Belgrade. I highly suggest Belgrade and Serbia as a fulfilling summer destination outside of the usual European hot spots.
http://www.bbc.com/travel/slideshow/20130122-serbia-s-seductive-charms
nikprose 