Another day, the same city. At least, that’s how academic life feel sometimes, as a student (and as a student of life at, the same time).
But when I first got the notice that I’d be attending a
scientific conference to present a part of my work in Belgrade, I didn’t know quite what to expect. But the
idea of finally going somewhere after being stuck, for different reasons, for
many months, was surely a welcomed change. Conferences come with their own mixture of
stress and excitement, but there was something gentler beneath it all, the
secret thrill of (finally) discovering a new place, for free!
After 5 days (of presenting to a roomful of peers, and networking for the sake of science), I finally hit the city streets. As always, the Balkans, with their storied landscapes and wallet-friendly offerings are the best. And Belgrade did not disappoint. Days gave way to discovery in its most delicious form. I tried cevapcici, with silken kajmak, and a punch of ajvar. The Zeleni Venac Market also offered a bounty of cherries; cherry on top, quite literally, as I sat quietly with my bag of cherries in Kalemegdan hill. Their sweetness grounded by the view of two great rivers holding the city in their embrace, chef's kiss. The night also brought its own enchantment. I went to join a pub crawl for the first time, since Tartu, exploring winding alleyways and unmarked doors for Belgrade’s underground scene. I met fellow travelers from different corners of the world, some chasing music, others just there for the beer (like me).
Belgrade might wait years for my return. But whenever life becomes a
blur of deadlines, I will remember the fortress, the rivers, and the taste of
cherries at sunset. Isn't it sweet?
