Serbian Sightings_Ninja Nuns

Yesterday, I went to the grocery store. Everything was business as usual till two Orthodox nuns came in. I have only seen them at a monastery previously. On a day when the weather could melt any normal human, I was shocked to see this couple out and about in their black, almost burka type dress. They must have been sweltering! OR they must have super human properties that shield them from heat. I would like to believe that later. It is more interesting.

I was taking the pics on the sly…. as a result, they are BLURRY!

I was at the counter when I heard the cashier giggling under her breath remarking about the Ninjas. I didn’t understand what she was saying as she was speaking Serbian at the speed of light, but the word Ninja was repeated and I finally got it.  OMGosh!! the Nuns did look just like Ninjas!!

I must tell you, that these words are very rude in Serbian orthodox culture. I hope this will not be an offensive, but humorous post. I have nothing but respect for these ladies.

Ninja Nuns sounds really cool too! Imagine the series that could be written about that. In my mind I can see a battle that is a mix of old world orthodox traditions mixed with the interworld battles of  Mortal Kombat. I must say, I fancy that idea more than a “Flying Nun”!

My only regret on this post is that I could not share the mental images I have conjured. Maybe this video will do as a substitute.

Ninja Nun video!

In my search for that video, I found that the idea of Ninja nuns is not a new one. There are LOTS of ninja nun videos. But nun are very good.

The only thing that could have made the sighting even better would have been to see those two in this VW hot rod that was sitting outside.

A worthy Nun-mobile if I ever saw one.

It was even sporting a Serbian flag. Now, all it needs is an Orthodox Cross painted on the hood and we are good to go! Oh, that and a Ninja Nun theme song!

On a very serious note:

My hope with this post is not to offend, but to look at nuns in a light that shows the good work they do. They are selfless in their work for God. This demands the respect you would have for a ninja’s training and skill.

I have studied Islam, and I do know the burka well. It is worn by the women for many of the same reasons the nuns wear similar costumes. At the root it is modesty and the desire not to draw attention to themselves. But, when they are out of their natural habitat, so to speak, it does exactly the opposite.

Advertisement

Weekend Fun Dr. Suess-ovic

Here in Serbia, I get lots of ideas for Blogs. I have had this one for a while now. But I had to get some more pics.

I do get that if Dr. Suess was Seribfied, the name Suess would have to be spelled with only one “S” at the end. The only Double lettered word I know of in the Serbian tongue is Zoo. That is only because it is a Latin based word.

For those of you who are unaware of Dr. Suess, he is only the greatest children’s book writer in the English world. If you saw the movie, “Horton hears a Who”, then you have had a glimpse of his work. I believe he is the equivalent of the Jovan Jovanovic.

My favorite Dr. Suess book is, Green Eggs and Ham. It’s a classic!

I have blogged before about the ever prevalent old Fiats here in Serbia. They are called Feetcha, but spelled completely different from that. Spelling phonetically is good enough for this little post. 😉

Without further ado, Let me present to you the alternative to One Fish, Two Fish, Red fish Blue fish.

The Serbian Dr. Suess title remake

One Feetcha

SONY DSC

Two Feetchas

SONY DSC

SONY DSC

Red Feetcha

SONY DSC

Little White and Blue Feetcha


Above are all old, Below new.

I love Both Dr. Suess and the classic Fiats. But these new sporty 500 fiats look like so much fun! they have been marketed as super sexy toys in the commercials.  Here are my two favorite U.S. Commercials for these newer versions.

The 500 Abarth with the Sexy Italian woman: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H-fH73qIvsQ

The 500 “Imigrants”  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XKUrYf1z9Bg

Dobar Dan Y’all!

Cars 365-28

Cool cars here are all over!

Plastic Blue

This car is made of plastic. I can’t remember the name, but I love it. I see him every time I go see Deda.

My absollute favorite is the Fitcha. and I found the cutest version just the other day when I was going to the Pijats.

my new fav car

I have written about the Fichka car before. It includes on of my most embarrassing and funny Serbian language transgression. You may like to read about it here.

The cars are often adorned here with lots of fun things. At Pijats last week, I saw something so cute.

Tiny dried gourds hanging from the rear view mirror.

By law, everyone here must have a safety kit in their cars. Included is a fluorescent  vest. The vest must be close by if you are stopped. For that reason many people keep it right on their seat. I think that is so cool. It’s like you are dressing your car up.

The car wearing the traffic vest

This stuff never gets old. I learn about the culture little by little or as they say here, malo po malo. It is precious. I am cherishing the way I learn. Every little thing holds a new lesson. But it isn’t boring.

Old cars last forever here. Back in the States more often than not they get rusted out from the salt lain down in the winter. Many of these cars rarely made it to the U.S. because back in the day, importing cars wasn’t that common. I guess that is why I enjoy seeing them so much to. They are such a novelty!

I am not such a car buff back home. OR here. I just like the different makes and models. Zastava, Citroen, Renault, and gobs more!

Pardon me, do you have any Grey Poupon?

This was one of my most favorite finds. a strange old Russian army  “Jeep”

 

This would be a super cool car to bring home to mama!

I am sure this won’t be the last of the cool cars I post here. I am always finding a new one to enjoy looking at, and I will be sure to share them with you.

(Please excuse me for using my camera phone for all the pictures. I wish I had time to take the good camera, but I am always in a rush to beat the clock… The baby is like the most unforgiving boss. infinitely demanding my presence. Someday I will miss that. but for now…it is just annoying. Can’t wait to take nicer pics with the good camera!)

Baby on Board 365-25

Calm down, this is NOT a pregnancy announcement. It is the 11 month birthday of a certain little munckin. One month til the big 1 year mark!! Wowzers.

Baby on Board signs are everywhere here in Serbia.

Baby in car

I find them much more adorable in a language other than English. Even comical at times. (Just wait til I get to that part!)  There is a certain je ne sais quoi, that is conjured when I see Bebe u Auto. I guess that is that is cool because it is foreign.

When they came out in the U.S. years some years back, I remember hearing a comedian making a joke them. He made it clear that was not going to make it less likely you would be in an accident. I mean, someone isn’t gonna have time to react to the sign on your car. Maybe you should just drive more carefully. The best idea: Put your baby in a car seat. Something this Russian guy certainly have done! Have you seen this?? it is crazy scary! Click the link below if you haven’t seen the baby that survive being thrown from an SUV into the path of a HUGE truck and SURVIVES!

MIRACLE – Russia Car Crash Baby Thrown Into Path Of a Truck

This totally proves my case and point. Drive carefully!! Sticker or no sticker.

Another funny sign

After seeing so many of this around town, I had considered posting about them. but thought it would be a bit too dry. I mean, they aren’t that interesting.

But then, I saw one the other night that absolutely deserved a post!

Yes, that is right, Bimbo on board

Yes, that is right, Bimbo on board.

I couldn’t believe it when I saw it. But then I went on-line and found them.

th (1)This sign is from Italy. Straight from the wiki site I got this explanation:

In Italy, “bimbo” is a common nice word, used as a diminutive of (male) child. Child = bambino = bimbo.

Obviously, this sign refers to a baby, but in the U.S. it has another meaning. According to wikipedia, in English it is a woman who is attractive but dumb or a woman who is promiscuous. I couldn’t help but think this sign was amusing.

For the record. Our car will not be sporting any of these decals. I think they are cute on other people’s cars only.
Dobar Dan