Wandering Pristina

Monday, July 19th

I decided to take advantage of potentially cheap mechanics in Kosovo and Louise was kind enough to escort me to a garage. Unfortunately everyone but one mechanic were on holidays for 2 weeks so we tried a second place with some luck. She explained the problem with Betty and we left her there to pick up the following day. Louise took me to her office where I then hopped in a cab to go back to her place. The plan for the day was that Garth, Holly and I would check out Pristina on foot.

Near the university:

Garth and Holly:

We strolled through the small university, down a pedestrian street, had a nice lunch on a patio, and visited the national museum and a few art galleries. The museum consisted of two floors, the first being ancient artifacts but one couldn’t help but notice the posters claiming that most artefacts had been stolen by the Serbs and they would like them returned. Upstairs was completely dedicated to the relationship that Kosovo has with the United States. The Kosovars love the US for their aid against Serbia in gaining their independence, so much so that there is a Bill Clinton Avenue in Pristina.

One of many people who went missing during 1999, when the Serbs cleansed the area (granted, I think this guy was a pirate):

Outside the museum:

The call for artefacts to be returned:

The US tribute:

A strange book on display in the museum:

The love for Tony Blair:

After a visit to a couple of small art galleries, we grabbed a drink on a nice patio before heading back to Louise’s. I decided to check out Rugova Park for a few minutes which consisted of a poorly maintained grassy field and a graffiti covered concrete new age looking monument. Rugova’s grave was pristine however, thanks to the ever present police protection.

I found a local office of my previous employer:

Rugova's grave:

We enjoyed a beer on Louise’s balcony as we watched the sun set followed by a lovely fajita meal. Her friend, Justin, originally from Rwanda, joined us later as Garth, Holly and I gleaned information from them for our imminent travel to Montenegro. Although it was a Monday night and Louise had to work the next morning, we were up until 2:30am enjoying our last night in Kosovo. Louise was a hostess extraordinaire...big shout out to you Louise!

Feeding grapes to our gracious hostess:

Judith and the sunset: