Arrival Shock...

Ok here in Sarajevo and todays arrival shock could have been the worst. I stayed out all night last night till 5am and partied figuring I would just sleep on the bus, it worked out fine, as I thought I was going to take an 8am bus, but there was a 6:15am bus that was leaving, so I got there just in time and got my seat. For the first 3 hours slept peacefully, then it was the border crossing, this was actually one of the easier ones, only taking a total of 30 minutes to get out of Serbia and then seperate border guards to let you into Bosnia. In Bosnia the ride was lovely, when I could keep my eyes open, it was lush green mountains and valleys, the bus went thru a few mountain in tunnels and even did one harrowing mountain climb that reminded me of the tour de france.. speaking of which, damn how damanged is cycling as a sport, you thought baseball was bad with the roids, cycling is just filthy dirty... Anyway the ride was great, went thru some small bosnian towns, and eventually got to Sarajevo, now upon arrival I asked the only english speaking person on the bus, an Aussie if this was the last stop, he was like yeah.. To call where we were a bus station was being nice, it was more like a dust bowl, with a roof and a few buildings. It was total arrival shock, no tourist information office, no money exchange, but naturally lots of shady cab drivers waiting to take you..

I fended off the cab drivers, it was burning hot and I was wearing my same jeans from the night before, threw the backpack on and started off walking.. After about 1km, I saw to the right something to resembled civilazation, found both a bank machine and internet, used the internet to check location of Hostel and in talking to girl at Internet Cafe realized the bus station we were in was in New Saraejo, everything else is in old.. it was so far so I had to take a taxi, I asked how much it would be and she was like oh about 8 USD, I was like damn.. my ticket for a 7hr trip from Belgrade was only 20USD, my accomidations for the night is going to be 12USD, and the damn taxi is 7 freakin bucks.. I asked if there was anyway to take the bus/tram and they seemed to explain in bad english, no you would have to transfer too much..

Thought of other ways of getting to the old town, and even after seeing a Police car, figured if I got arrested I could get a free ride to jail, maybe even a meal, shower, or whatever.. thought about what it would take to get arrested but not deported, figured if I pulled out my dick and peeded on a statue that might do it, and I did have to got the bathroom, but then again this is europe and after going to the beaches and seeing what some people are wearing, public nudity might not be enough to get arrested.. So just dealt with the damn budget busting cab ride and took it all the way across town..

Finally at the main old town square and walked around in a circle for apparently no reason, as the tourist office that books hostels was like 10 feet away in the direction I did not look. Their website was really nice and slick, but this was basically an office where they book you in other hostels, not a hostel itself. anyway handed over my last 20 Euro note and paid for 2 nights, then was told its 5 minutes by foot.. everything in europe is 5 minutes away, its like people in LA who say oh it only takes 30 minutes with no traffic, but when the hell is there no traffic in LA??? So after a hike up the steepest steps ever and down what looked like abondonded and bomed out building, came to a shack that serves as my hostel, at least I have a key and the door locks, so some decent security, but I think I should be worried more about stray animals up in the hills than about robbers.

I was sweated out like a pig, and after the shower and change of clothes I felt human, then the weather changes and the afternoon thunderstorm rolls in.. I have actually learned to expect this of any city located in a valley, and this is the same, the valley is lovely but you pay the price with bad weather in the middle of the day.. ran inside to eat Pizza.. yeah I know Curt eat the locals.. but after not having eating in over 15hrs and being on a 7hr bus ride I was in no mood for mystery meat.. Then walked about the town a bit and felt more human..

Doesnt look like its going to be a big social town on a saturday night, but then again Bratislava was sleepy by daytime and came alive at night. Prices are about the same as the last 3 countries I have been, so that is good considering my dwindling bank account.. shout out to CMG who even without pictures left a very generous donation... you should have your pictures now, after all this anticpation I know they can only disappoint, so sorry about that..

One thing I have noticed is this is the most muslim, almost downright turkish country I have been to. Many turkish mosques, turkish music, more damn donar kebabs, I swear I never want another kebab in my life.. Also seen alot of people with headscarfs and vails, first time in this region for me. Not sure where I am going to next, but probably to Croatia, but not the beaches, too expensive for me, but a stop over in the big city of Zagreb. So far after the arrival shock, its been decent, we will see what the night has to offer... upcoming assuming I have decent internet access a few good posts, stay tuned...