Knjazevac Museums~ Zavičajni muzej Knjaževac

Posted on December 3, 2014 by Cao Mila

The yellow building with the statue on top is the largest museum in town. It houses a continuous collection as well as short term exhibits.

Zavicajni means homeland. This museum is all about the homeland. Local artifacts and exhibitions of local art and history are displayed.

The entrance of the museum. The grand old home was built by a man who owned a long ago coal mine in my hubby’s village Vina. Now, it is well-kept and a glorious reminder of antique architecture.

A work of art by a local artist, Dragoslav Živković, and the reconstruction of homes created by the orignal inhabitants of the region ages ago. The cavemen type of people even left their mark in local caves with drawings! Cool, huh?

Just a few weeks ago, I went to check out the new fruit exhibits, and the very exciting ancient Roman artifacts found just a few miles down the road!

An aerial photograph of the excavation. It is a massive site.

Ravna, a village 6 or 7 miles from Knjazevac is the home of the most recent archeological dig in our region.

Painstaking work by international groups of archeologists have unearthed some amazing finds. Including glass goblets! How freaking awesome is that!?

glass goblets and a glass vase

I got to talk to the Senior Curator of the museum, Milena. Her English is spectacular. We had a great chat. The most spectacular part of the visit was being shocked with meeting another American. I have NEVER run into a foreigner in my little town. Coming in contact with one of my own peeps was a complete shock.

He was a Dept. of State guy doing some public relations stuff, repairing relations with Serbia. His advice to me was to basically be friendly and help mend the tear between Serbia and the United States.
Some days, I think I am days I think I am very diplomatic… other times, not so much.

Please come visit our beautiful town and museums. We have lots to offer! Just like the rest of Serbia!

Photography Friday~ Meteora

Posted on May 3, 2013 by Cao Mila

I went to Greece this week. It is a hop, skip, and a jump from Serbia. Well. Actually, a few hours stretched out to several hours if you are traveling with Serbians who know how to relax, have coffee and smoke like a chimney. 🙂

I was traveling with a bus trip of teachers. I was invited by my very good friend M. I am so happy I went. I made new friends. Enjoyed Greek food. and took 4 GB worth of pictures (That is 800 pics). No doubt, photography Friday will have a long Greek hang over. 😉

Today’s post is all about Meteora. This is directly from wikipedia:

The Metéora (Greek: Μετέωρα, pronounced [mɛˈtɛoɾɐ], lit. “middle of the sky”, “suspended in the air” or “in the heavens above” — etymologically related to “Meteorite“) is one of the largest and most important complexes of Eastern Orthodox monasteries in Greece, second only to Mount Athos.^[1] The six monasteries are built on natural sandstone rock pillars, at the northwestern edge of the Plain of Thessaly near the Pineios river andPindus Mountains, in central Greece. The nearest town is Kalambaka. The Metéora is included on theUNESCO World Heritage List. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meteora)

I count myself super blessed to have been able to see this natural beauty.Maybe these pics will bring a little more sunshine to your Friday.

The point of vising the Meteora was to visit a monastery atop the jutting rock formations. This is a sacred place for Orthodox people. It was a stronghold kept from the Turks who terrorized the Serbs, the Greeks, and others for centuries.

Back in the day, rope ladders were dropped to allow entrance. Also, basket like nets were let down for someone sit in. Then they were pulled up to the safety of the monastery. Now they have even cooler ways of getting from one place to another.

Seriously, that is better than the pope mobile!!

Only some of the monastery was open to the public, and pictures were prohibited in much of that area. I am not complaining. I would rather take pics of the rock formations.

These sites don’t get old. I could snap away all day long!

Tourist do not only flock here for the monasteries. many people come from all over the world to climb these magestic monsters.

This is some impressive stuff!

Meteora was a highlight of the the trip. I would go again in a heartbeat!

Happy Friday!

Dobar dan

Church on Sunday

Posted on April 21, 2013 by Cao Mila

My Grandpa doesn’t know what it is like here in Serbia. I just talked to him a few days ago and he told me to go to church. Something I would do if I was home.

The name of the Church here is Saint George… only in Serbian it is pronounced a bit different.

This is a picture of his icon. He is pretty and valiant looking at the same time.

The sermon is all in Serbian, it is sung or chanted like the old monks do in a monastery. Normally, it isn’t as pretty though.

The Churches are always freezing cold in the colder seasons. They aren’t heated for the few people who show up on Sunday. It would take hours to warm it. I am not sure that it is even possible. For the few occasions I have been there, A wedding, a christening, and just to go to church, it has always been super cold. Not good for the munchkin at all.

Plus there are just about 5 seats. Well, five seats on each side. The right side is for men, and the left is for women. Like they do in Mennonite and Amish churches back home.

There are no nurseries that I know of in the Churches here. Bringing a child to church is a bit more difficult here if your tot is ornery. I am sure there must be a bathroom somewhere, but I have no idea where it is on the property.

I did go to Church today Grandpa, I took Millie in the afternoon. I didn’t feel the need to go to the service at 8 AM. It would have been much colder at that time of day. Neither Millie or I would get much from the liturgy.
I had a nice chat with a bloke inside who gave me the icon of Saint George and the postcard of the church.

As I was leaving, a gypsy lady was coming in. But only went as far as the door. As I left she kept talking to me, and then asked me for money for medicine, then money for alter candles.

The alter candles here are actually outside, so the church can be locked but people can still light a candle if they want? maybe?

This is a pic I sneakily took of her.

The church grounds are lovely. I took a walk around the church. The side door is really small. I don’t think it is used much anymore.

Millie went to sleep pretty quickly when we got to the church. it was her nap time. I don’t think it was the church itself. Though I have fallen asleep during a sermon or two. 😉

Green Thumb Thursday

Posted on April 11, 2013 by Cao Mila

There is some sort of magic dawn brings. The new day with no mistakes made. (Yet.) A fresh head after a good sleep. (If I am lucky.) Time to myself. (again, if I am lucky.)

Mother nature’s Green thumb is at work all over the world right now.

One of the many snails I saw this morning. They are everywhere.

The sun cast its beams all over town. Dew shimmered in the early morning light.

Understated homes blossomed with the newness of the day.

I wish I could take these early morning walks more often. They are soo good for the soul, especially when accompanied my such lush greenery brought by so much rain.

Imagine the yummy baked goods some Baba makes in this enchanted yard or what a great Easter egg hunt cold be held just inside the gate. Remember, we are still awaiting the Easter bunny here. It will be glorious.

More fun spring pics tomorrow.
Dobar Dan!

The path of the righteous is like
the light of dawn, that shines brighter
and brighter until the full day.
Proverbs 4:18

Photography Friday~ Svetozarevic House

Posted on April 5, 2013 by Cao Mila

A few years back, last time I was in Serbia, I made this video for some friends. This is their house. And just like it says in the video, it is the most relaxing place. We went for a day, and it was like I had a week vacation.

The pictures were all taken in March. Just imagine how even more magical this place would be if their were leaves and grass of in emerald and lush verdant green to add to the natural beauty.

If you are looking for a relaxing vacation, Contact the Zubetinac Village house

Email: svetozarevic@medianis.net

or through this site: www.gorskikonak.com

Dobar Dan

Munchkin Monday

Posted on March 4, 2013 by Cao Mila

A walk in a Fairy Tale Village

Last week we went for a walk in Vasilj, a little village not far from town. The initial reason to meet an expat like myself lives there. That didn’t happen, but the village was so quaint that I was thrilled we had come.

The Munchkin was thrilled to make the acquaints of some house cats and two adorable miniature Doberman Pinschers that played in an ancient school playground.

The old school playground and building looked mostly neglected.

The Schoolhouse gate

School house windows with paper snowflake cut outs

We were accompanied on the village trip by a friend of the Muz who’s father was from the village. It was lovely to have him as a tour guide.

Not only did he love on Millie, but he picked us some early spring flowers. The lovely white Visi Baba or Snow Drops as they are called in the English speaking world. I have seen those same flowers on each of the visits here in Serbia, but this time I discovered they are hiding the most beautiful upside down green heart that rests in the shade of the white petals.

The village was filled with gorgeous old homes. Sadly, it was an overcast day, so the pictures aren’t as glowing as they could be. Next time I will go on a sunny day when there are leaves on the trees. That day is not long off. Already, blues skies are more prevalent than they have been in months!! Yippee!

One last pic to make this a Munckin Monday post.

The little one enjoying a well deserved drink after a long day.

Windows and doors camera phone pics 365-42

Posted on February 11, 2013 by Cao Mila

I am a sucker for windows and doors. I love really cool colors or old antique dark wood. If I am out with the camera, odds are I will get a pic of at least one window or door.

Today I got both in one shot. I was carrying the munchkin and had to use my camera phone. 😦 It is grainy, but the picture speaks for itself. The building is so old it is made kinda like an old sod house.

old Turkish house

At the bottom you can see where it is falling apart and the slat frame is exposed. The backyard is a mess, but sports a fading well and a building at the back of the property that had some fabulous old arches.

In the village I took this at a distant relatives home. I always find new subjects to shoot when out for a stroll.

Grape vines and herbs drying upside down.

There are some unusually tiny window in most of the homes here. They are for bathrooms or shpice closets. Shpice closets are pantries that are usually a bit cool and used for storing food as well as pots and pans.

Tiny window at the neighbors

Sometimes there are separate kitchens to keep a place from over-heating in the summer. This is our tiny summer kitchen in the village and the little window for venting.

Notice the ancient cool stove. I love sitting beside it when it so cold outside and so do the cats. 😉

This arched old door from Turkish times is one of my favorites. The green comfortable color could only be upstaged if it were a byzantine blue.

Story book entrance

Enjoy your Monday.

Dobar dan

Arches 365-12

Posted on January 12, 2013 by Cao Mila

I have heard that the arches in architecture here is a result of Turkish influence. I don’t care where they come from. I love them. They are so inviting and ancient looking in some cases, in others modern and stylish. Here are a few I’ve seen lately.