History and Haggling

There are some things I feel that I know a lot about and then there are times when I realize the more I learn, the less I know. I have been very fortunate in my life to have had some wonderful, inspiring history teachers who have taught me so much about the world around me. However, I realize there is so much history of this great world that either I have forgotten, or perhaps I never knew. I have learned so much in the last couple of days about Sarajevo and I still feel I have so much to learn.

Leslie has been a wonderful tour guide. She has become very knowledgable about the history and culture of this region and has graciously shared her knowledge with me, one who has felt so incredibly ignorant.

To increase my knowledge of the area, I also visited two museums today and I feel like I have a pretty firm grip on the BASICS. I've enjoyed learning more and getting a grasp on the history of this nation that has been so torn apart for so many years.

I also walked back through the street markets today, determined to find a small keepsake, preferably a copper one as that seems to be very popular and a very common art form. I searched and found a beautiful small plaque that I thought was just perfect. I was determined not to be taken advantage of even though I was clearly the tourist. So, prepared to haggle, I asked how much and when he said "5 marks," well I gave right in. Where else could you buy a piece of artwork for about $3?

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The Second Day of School

Image
What a difference a day makes!  Today was not a perfect day, but it was a much better day, and I have no doubt that each day will help me to feel more and more comfortable in my new "shoes." This morning, after checking in with my little lost ones and making sure they knew where to go, I had my Year 6 English class for two class periods, so one hour and forty minutes.  Yesterday, I had them during the fire alarm, so there was very little time to spend with them.  I thoroughly enjoyed my time with them today!  They were attentive, hard working, kind, curious and very bright - what a joy!  I felt better too.  I knew what had and had not worked from the previous day, and I felt very confident in the material I taught today.  I did things with them that I enjoy doing at home like bringing them to the floor to read a story and doing the Hokey Pokey after they had been sitting for a while (by the way, they said the US version of the Hokey Pokey was much more fun).  It was a wonde
Read more

Good-byes

Life is full of hellos and good-byes, and so to begin this new adventure, we decide that a Hello/Goodbye party would be just perfect for Kelly and I.  It was a wonderful way for me to say farewell to so many friends and loved ones and a way for Kelly to meet many new faces. The party made me realize even more so, what a life-swap this is.  Kelly and I will depend upon each other's friends and family members to help us find our way and help us make a home away from home.  I realized even more-so how incredibly blessed I am not only to have so many friends and family supporting me along my journey, but supporting Kelly through her journey as well.  They have welcomed her with open arms, just as I expected them to, and I know they will look out for her throughout the year.  For that, and for so many other things, I am incredibly thankful. I am so excited about my trip, and eager for the journey to begin.  For months, this seemed so far away and now, I'm on the eve of my "
Read more

A Letter to My Family and Friends

Dear Family and Friends, A couple of years ago, I got an urge to teach abroad.  It wasn't all of a sudden, but it felt like something I needed to do.  I was in my twenties and I felt completely settled in my life and for some reason, that scared me.  Was I where I was supposed to be?  Was I doing what I was meant to be doing?  Was I as happy as I could be, or did I just think life was good?  I felt that if I went out to explore a bit, I could find the answer to all of these questions.  I never had a desire to move overseas permanently, but I sort of wanted the reassurance that I was doing the right thing. A year ago, in meeting rooms in Denver and Washington, D.C., I sat side by side with my fellow Fulbrighters listening to the advice of alums of the program and experts in the field.  They spent a whole lot of time telling me about this "W" of emotions that I'd go through this year.  I knew that when I went abroad, I would certainly experience ups and downs, but
Read more