{"id":10735,"date":"2019-12-19T03:45:11","date_gmt":"2019-12-19T11:45:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/malimish.com\/blog\/?p=10735"},"modified":"2019-12-19T03:45:11","modified_gmt":"2019-12-19T11:45:11","slug":"a-day-in-mostar-bosnia-and-herzegovina","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/malimish.com\/blog\/2019\/12\/19\/a-day-in-mostar-bosnia-and-herzegovina\/","title":{"rendered":"A day in Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina."},"content":{"rendered":"<p>As we wandered through Mostar in the dark, a little brown dog not more than a few months old ran up to us and decided not to leave our side. She was panically looking for someone but still walked right by our side. After darting into the busy street and us motioning for cars to stop more than once, we scooped her up and took her with us to the van. Now with some clothesline attached to her collar, we safely walked to a cafe to find internet and figure out our next step. Some people in town mentioned lots of dogs are dumped here, some shrugged their shoulders and others showed us which FaceBook group we could leave a message on. We knew in our hearts she was lost, not dumped, especially with a brand new yellow bandana around her neck. We also knew that we had to leave Bosnia the next day so finding her owner was our top priority. After no returned messages on FB, we returned to the van with a little brown pup. She immediately curled up and went to sleep on a little rug. We were worried she would chew up our cabinets, have an accident or bark all night. But nope. Not one peep (or pee).<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" id=\"49234411927\" alt=\"Mostar, Bosnia in our Sprinter van\" src=\"https:\/\/farm66.static.flickr.com\/65535\/49234411927_cec40838b2_c.jpg\" \/><\/p>\n<p>In the morning, we all woke up unusually early worried about our new little friend.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" id=\"49238314068\" alt=\"Lota Mostar Bosnia\" src=\"https:\/\/farm66.static.flickr.com\/65535\/49238314068_cca6690e63_c.jpg\" \/><\/p>\n<p>With our clothesline back on her collar, we found ourselves back at the same cafe with good news.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" id=\"49238795996\" alt=\"Lota Mostar Bosnia\" src=\"https:\/\/farm66.static.flickr.com\/65535\/49238795996_e90ae57b73_c.jpg\" \/><\/p>\n<p>The FB group found her owner and the pups name was Lota. As soon as we said &#8220;Lota&#8221; out loud, she tilted her head.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" id=\"49238314028\" alt=\"Lota Mostar Bosnia\" src=\"https:\/\/farm66.static.flickr.com\/65535\/49238314028_d7d61844f4_c.jpg\" \/><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" id=\"49234182856\" alt=\"Mostar, Bosnia in our Sprinter van\" src=\"https:\/\/farm66.static.flickr.com\/65535\/49234182856_703cd2132a_c.jpg\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Within minutes, Lota and her owners were reunited and a huge weight was lifted off of all of our shoulders. We all knew what would have happened last night if she didn&#8217;t find us. Be safe, Lota.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" id=\"49239011812\" alt=\"Lota Mostar Bosnia\" src=\"https:\/\/farm66.static.flickr.com\/65535\/49239011812_ac508aafda_c.jpg\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Back to the van we go now. With all the excitement this morning, some of us forgot to brush our teeth.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" id=\"49233721288\" alt=\"Mostar, Bosnia in our Sprinter van\" src=\"https:\/\/farm66.static.flickr.com\/65535\/49233721288_db1c65560f_c.jpg\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Now that Lota is back home, we are ready to start exploring the old town of Mostar.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" id=\"49233719168\" alt=\"Mostar, Bosnia in our Sprinter van\" src=\"https:\/\/farm66.static.flickr.com\/65535\/49233719168_aff2cb52e2_c.jpg\" \/><\/p>\n<p>The Stari Most (Old Bridge) was first built of wood but then was built out of stone by the Ottoman Empire in the 16th century. The original stone bridge was destroyed during the Balkan War in 1993 but reconstructed again in 2004.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" id=\"49234183651\" alt=\"Mostar, Bosnia in our Sprinter van\" src=\"https:\/\/farm66.static.flickr.com\/65535\/49234183651_00d5b4cc17_c.jpg\" \/><\/p>\n<p>The old bridge divides the old town into the east side and west side. The west side is considered the Croatian Catholic side of town and the east side is considered the Bosniak Muslim side of town. This is the view from the bridge looking east.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" id=\"49234409117\" alt=\"Mostar, Bosnia in our Sprinter van\" src=\"https:\/\/farm66.static.flickr.com\/65535\/49234409117_474573fbe0_c.jpg\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Petting cats always.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" id=\"49234180506\" alt=\"Mostar, Bosnia in our Sprinter van\" src=\"https:\/\/farm66.static.flickr.com\/65535\/49234180506_f758199377_c.jpg\" \/><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" id=\"49233719243\" alt=\"Mostar, Bosnia in our Sprinter van\" src=\"https:\/\/farm66.static.flickr.com\/65535\/49233719243_6c5a41847a_c.jpg\" \/><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" id=\"49234176041\" alt=\"Mostar, Bosnia in our Sprinter van\" src=\"https:\/\/farm66.static.flickr.com\/65535\/49234176041_7a199130d8_c.jpg\" \/><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" id=\"49233280738\" alt=\"Mostar, Bosnia in our Sprinter van\" src=\"https:\/\/farm66.static.flickr.com\/65535\/49233280738_de88ce5e04_c.jpg\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Because we were awake so early for the lost puppy, we got to enjoy the soft morning light. Thanks, Lota.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" id=\"49234175876\" alt=\"Mostar, Bosnia in our Sprinter van\" src=\"https:\/\/farm66.static.flickr.com\/65535\/49234175876_3dd3509450_c.jpg\" \/><\/p>\n<p>And with barely anyone else around.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" id=\"49233238508\" alt=\"Mostar, Bosnia in our Sprinter van\" src=\"https:\/\/farm66.static.flickr.com\/65535\/49233238508_0636a8d8e7_c.jpg\" \/><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" id=\"49233744326\" alt=\"Mostar, Bosnia in our Sprinter van\" src=\"https:\/\/farm66.static.flickr.com\/65535\/49233744326_e2598db101_c.jpg\" \/><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" id=\"49233702576\" alt=\"Mostar, Bosnia in our Sprinter van\" src=\"https:\/\/farm66.static.flickr.com\/65535\/49233702576_76712820ce_c.jpg\" \/><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" id=\"49233702516\" alt=\"Mostar, Bosnia in our Sprinter van\" src=\"https:\/\/farm66.static.flickr.com\/65535\/49233702516_034db6c31b_c.jpg\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Too. Bright. Mama.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" id=\"49233927302\" alt=\"Mostar, Bosnia in our Sprinter van\" src=\"https:\/\/farm66.static.flickr.com\/65535\/49233927302_8d7832bb63_c.jpg\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Not for us!<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" id=\"49233917767\" alt=\"Mostar, Bosnia in our Sprinter van\" src=\"https:\/\/farm66.static.flickr.com\/65535\/49233917767_6943403230_c.jpg\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span>As we walked around the city of Mostar, we passed by a large number of bullet-riddled and destroyed stone buildings.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" id=\"49233918217\" alt=\"Mostar, Bosnia in our Sprinter van\" src=\"https:\/\/farm66.static.flickr.com\/65535\/49233918217_0b50a2dd47_c.jpg\" \/><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" id=\"49233918027\" alt=\"Mostar, Bosnia in our Sprinter van\" src=\"https:\/\/farm66.static.flickr.com\/65535\/49233918027_f9919b5640_c.jpg\" \/><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" id=\"49233692676\" alt=\"Mostar, Bosnia in our Sprinter van\" src=\"https:\/\/farm66.static.flickr.com\/65535\/49233692676_9062889f5f_c.jpg\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span>Between neighborhoods, we also passed cemeteries with headstones all ending with the year 1992.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" id=\"49233917172\" alt=\"Mostar, Bosnia in our Sprinter van\" src=\"https:\/\/farm66.static.flickr.com\/65535\/49233917172_7a44d7575f_c.jpg\" \/><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" id=\"49233917912\" alt=\"Mostar, Bosnia in our Sprinter van\" src=\"https:\/\/farm66.static.flickr.com\/65535\/49233917912_2ae2422d3b_c.jpg\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span>The signs of the past war are still so visible here. So instead of rushing back to the van to start our math lessons today, we carefully tried to answer all the questions that came from our children and soaked in the beautiful with the not so beautiful.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" id=\"49233916762\" alt=\"Mostar, Bosnia in our Sprinter van\" src=\"https:\/\/farm66.static.flickr.com\/65535\/49233916762_39e493801c_c.jpg\" \/><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" id=\"49233916427\" alt=\"Mostar, Bosnia in our Sprinter van\" src=\"https:\/\/farm66.static.flickr.com\/65535\/49233916427_f1a73220d1_c.jpg\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Now it was time for a well deserved treat.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" id=\"49233914372\" alt=\"Mostar, Bosnia in our Sprinter van\" src=\"https:\/\/farm66.static.flickr.com\/65535\/49233914372_00fd48f467_c.jpg\" \/><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" id=\"49233226403\" alt=\"Mostar, Bosnia in our Sprinter van\" src=\"https:\/\/farm66.static.flickr.com\/65535\/49233226403_b07e62e31a_c.jpg\" \/><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" id=\"49233690161\" alt=\"Mostar, Bosnia in our Sprinter van\" src=\"https:\/\/farm66.static.flickr.com\/65535\/49233690161_95b1b7152a_c.jpg\" \/><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" id=\"49233225493\" alt=\"Mostar, Bosnia in our Sprinter van\" src=\"https:\/\/farm66.static.flickr.com\/65535\/49233225493_d53cfdd1dc_c.jpg\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Before.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" id=\"49233225933\" alt=\"Mostar, Bosnia in our Sprinter van\" src=\"https:\/\/farm66.static.flickr.com\/65535\/49233225933_25985b37ca_c.jpg\" \/><\/p>\n<p>During.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" id=\"49233686596\" alt=\"Mostar, Bosnia in our Sprinter van\" src=\"https:\/\/farm66.static.flickr.com\/65535\/49233686596_3eacc10da8_c.jpg\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Our overnight spot in town.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" id=\"49233915942\" alt=\"Mostar, Bosnia in our Sprinter van\" src=\"https:\/\/farm66.static.flickr.com\/65535\/49233915942_e704cd3337_c.jpg\" \/><\/p>\n<p>And after.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" id=\"49233911927\" alt=\"Mostar, Bosnia in our Sprinter van\" src=\"https:\/\/farm66.static.flickr.com\/65535\/49233911927_64faa5cdc9_c.jpg\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span>Because we have our US-plated vehicle in Europe just temporarily for a few years, it is only allowed to be in the EU for six months at a time. The last time our van was out of the EU was back in June when we were in Serbia so we are collecting proof of our border run with diesel receipts, in addition to our liability insurance receipt.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" id=\"49233912157\" alt=\"Mostar, Bosnia in our Sprinter van\" src=\"https:\/\/farm66.static.flickr.com\/65535\/49233912157_dc9ea4715b_c.jpg\" \/><\/p>\n<p>And just like that, we are back in Croatia again.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" id=\"49233223588\" alt=\"Mostar, Bosnia in our Sprinter van\" src=\"https:\/\/farm66.static.flickr.com\/65535\/49233223588_e3504942b5_c.jpg\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Headed back to Split.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" id=\"49233223938\" alt=\"Mostar, Bosnia in our Sprinter van\" src=\"https:\/\/farm66.static.flickr.com\/65535\/49233223938_55af81f25b_c.jpg\" \/><\/p>\n<p>To say goodbye to my parents who are headed back to the US.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" id=\"49233912177\" alt=\"Mostar, Bosnia in our Sprinter van\" src=\"https:\/\/farm66.static.flickr.com\/65535\/49233912177_7431cc2cb1_c.jpg\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Here&#8217;s a little video clip from my Instagram stories summarizing our day in Mostar.<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/AhVohNNm_ZI\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>Thanks for reading,<br \/>\nMarlene<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>As we wandered through Mostar in the dark, a little brown dog not more than a few months old ran up to us and decided not to leave our side. She was panically looking for someone but still walked right by our side. After darting into the busy street and [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":10737,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[215],"tags":[254],"class_list":["post-10735","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-europe","tag-bosnia"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/malimish.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/49233280498_8112c165f3_c.jpg","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/pkBzA-2N9","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/malimish.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10735","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/malimish.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/malimish.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/malimish.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/malimish.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=10735"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/malimish.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10735\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/malimish.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/10737"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/malimish.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=10735"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/malimish.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=10735"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/malimish.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=10735"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}