Thursday and Friday

The past two days have been full of briefings, events and meals that I have yet to fully explain. So I guess now I will try! Also, this is probably the most boring thing I have ever written, so I do understand if you are not interested!

            Thursday was dedicated to learning about the justice process of war crimes. In the morning we visited the International Criminal Tribunal to the Former Yugoslavia and were briefed there. After a lunch in the building’s cafeteria we took a European Union Police Union truck to the state Court of Bosnia-Herzegovina that deals with War Crimes, Organized Crime and general crime on the state level. After a taxi ride back to the hotel we regrouped and head up the hill to the Phoenix pub where we met informally with some individuals involved in the international political scene in Sarajevo for dinner and drinks. The pub offered Pimms, which promptly sent me back to my summer in England during High School. After watching youtube videos (as mentioned below) and testing the local brandy, called rjakja, a group of the group went out to a dance club called Sloga. When we first arrived there was a band playing covers of American and Bosnian songs. After a few hours the music switched over to a more common “house” or techno music including some songs that I happened to know from Zumba. For my fellow dancers one of the songs was the one that Tara teaches when the step goes forward, back, walk around. I recognized it almost immediately and had to forcibly stop myself from teaching the packed club the dance that minute. The walk home included a late-night food stop at one of the local bakeries (although not as good as the secret bakery in Florence).

            Friday’s briefings did not start until 1:30 PM, which was a welcomed change from waking up at 8 AM every day. After a lazy morning, some delicious nectarines (all of the produce here is fantastic) we hoped on the tram to the USAID building. There we met with US Ambassador English to Bosnia-Herzegovina and other members of the US Foreign Service. After a walk down the river we went to the Office of the High Representative and met with the Deputy Officer. He was a very aware man but also equally hopeful, which was a refreshing change.

            The weekend is free of briefings but will be full of adventures, and as such more interesting information from my end of the world. Happy weekend to everyone!

 

With love,

Lauren