eEurotrip

So unless you travelled with us at some point or know us (and the ridiculously ridiculous things we say) inside out, the following will make zero sense to you. So I'll say this one is for Clauds and G especially, because every time I hear these words escape my mouth, it's because of them (and Adam Sandler).

We Are (practically) Family :)

Having travelled together for 3 months, it's safe to say we've learned a thing or two about each other and the different ways in which we do life. As is considered normal, there were plenty of times when we wanted to simply punch each other in the face, but just as many times (and hopefully more) we've laughed, joked and shared precious memories in foreign countries that we may never visit again, and these are things we will look back on with fondness.

Here are a few traits/quirks that I picked up on through our little adventure and that will be sorely missed!

Saint Sava Cathedral

Belgrade, Serbia

Porto Montenegro

Out and About

This is Tanja, Dina's cousin and probably the wittiest 12 year old I have ever met. She talks faster than anyone can absorb, but once you do and can process what she's said (and in my case, after it was translated) you can appreciate her amazing ability to insult, humour and just generally poke fun at anything and anyone in an incredibly clever way. A little sample follows:

Tanja to Sofija: "Last year, Balsa brought Nicole, this year you're here. Now all that's missing is Dina and feta (referring to Tom and his Greek background...) [Sofija retells this story to Dina who adds: well don't worry, I brought fried rice. -.-

*looking through her sister's formal photos and noting how distasteful some are* D: Well let's just wait to see what your dress is like! T: I'm going to shoot fireworks from mine.

*re: her sister's friend in a formal photo* T: This girl is really smart. She's as smart as a person that can jump in a hole. *followed by* T: This girl is a little bit smarter. She can also jump in a hole. But 5 minutes later she knows how to get out!

The Ascent

Kotor, Montenegro

A 5 hour bus ride from Bijelo Polje and I found myself in heaven. Well, pretty close to it anyway. I told Dina my only complaint of Tivat was the lack of sandy beaches and although the concrete (literally, just concrete. Imagine lying beside a less polluted and more coastal version of the Yarra on Southbank) took some getting used to, it was a small price to pay for a full week of doing little but eating, sleeping, tanning and swimming.

There's something comforting about staying in someone's home, even if it's not your relative and especially after staying in hotels and apartments for a couple of months. Many a kiss on the cheek (x 3, the Serbian way of course), sarcastic remark, random hug and aggressive Serbian swear word passed through the house with the presence of Bubba, Dina, Marina, Sofija, Tanja and Branca (Dina's mother, sister, cousin and Aunty) making it all the more inviting!

We formed a comfortable routine of waking early, grabbing a quick bite to eat of some traditional Montenegrin food that Bubba had laid out on the table (think cured meats, bread, cheese, yoghurt, savoury donuts, chocolate milk, maybe everything at once...) then hitting the beach before it got too unbearably hot. With Melbourne being in winter and all you're probably thinking 'unappreciative b*ches...' but trust me, there is such thing as too hot, even at the beach!

At this point we'd retire 'home' for another home cooked meal, followed by maybe an afternoon nap or a trip to the internet cafe (Jenny_Franco wifi got switched off the day after we arrived...Jenny Franco apparently being the nice elderly lady living in the apartment below us...) before heading to the beach for session two!

Evenings consisted of balmy strolls through the little town, where the few cafes situated on the main street were perfect for people watching and who, after a few drinks, we realised don't actually do very nice drinks. A night or two consisted of some competitive dart playing, dancing to random Serbian pop songs, crazy South African yacht-worker meeting and well, a bit of vomit. Followed by more dancing, of course!

Bijelo Polje, Montenegro

Many a morning, afternoon and even evenings (thanks to long, hot summer days...sigh) were spent lounging around El Greco Resort in Santorini. My only complaint was getting absolutely mauled by mosquitos. I don't think mosquitos are actually capable of mauling anything, unlike bears, lions or anything else that can rip your limbs apart, but words like 'bitten' and 'stung' just don't cut it in this case.

Nights one and two were spent half awake with arms ready to flail, slap and defend when the dreaded buzzing noise of those wretched creatures was heard close to my ears practically screaming 'your blood is MINE'. By night three my blood practically was all theirs dammit, as I gave up the fight, shoved ear plugs in and wrapped myself in sheets leaving only my face exposed. 

I practically had no face left by morning. Well, I did. It was just covered in roughly 30 bites, making out that I was an adolescent teen going through puberty rather than having been raped by Grecian mosquitos. Neither of which is pleasant, of course.