Dovidenja Bosnia i Herzogovina

Two years ago we saw a documentary that mentioned the Una river. We were mystified by its clear blue waters. Now after spending two weeks along its banks I can say that I am even more enthralled. We swam in your water, as best we could (average water temp was in the 50`s). Took on your love of

high diving, testing the limits of courage. I think 5 meters was the highest. ( Not for me I stoped at 2). We pulled fish from your water, with an abundance we have never seen. The water was so clear you could see the fish strike the line. You made us all look like the pros. We marveled at your waterfalls a combination of your hydrology and geology. Deep spring water mixing with limestone causing the most magnificent calcification of debris to form stair step tuffs some many meters high.

You traveled us back in time to place where homemade Alcohol is the norm. Orchards of tart plumbs and apples grace your hill sides, grapes and blackberries fill your ditches. Every house has a garden plot with cabbage, potatoes, sweet onions, tomatoes, cucumber, green beans and peppers. Don't get me started on your peppers. You woo flavors from peppers I have never tasted before. Ajar a sauce so rich and sweet it is hard to imagine leaving it behind. Most everything you eat comes from so close by it as if we puled it from our own home garden.

You have a storied past, but don't we all. Yet you wear yours for all to see. Your grandeur lies in these fissures and your willingness to tell the whole story. Sarajevo a town split in two by it architecture. Half is Turkish the other Austro Hungarian. You house, orthodox and catholic churches, jewish temples and more mosques than I can count. Most recently you were under siege for 4 years by Serbian forces with little help from the outside world. Yet, you survived again, rebuilt where you could and decorated old wounds in red naming them Roses of Sarajevo, after a flower that grows abundantly throughout the country. Only these roses are meant to never fade a reminder of the shellings that happened. Your conviction to Gaza is heartening, your protest and art exhibitions ring from a place of we `know`, you are not turning a blind eye.

Bosnia we came for your water and mountains and fell in love with so much more. The people we met were warm, hospitable and more than willing to go out of there way to be kind. The world might underestimate you, but not us, thank you for showing us all that you have to offer.