Cao drugarica (hey friends)! How art thou all?! Today is a hot and sweaty day here in Sarajevo, but beautiful none the less. Ana and I had another full day at the centre, working on our needs assessments. I feel like I keep saying that we're "ALMOST" done, but we truly are. There are many pressing issues going on at the centre, so emotions have been running high. The mothers are under a lot of stress in attempt to finish the curtains they're making for the fashion show, and there are a few family issues with some of the members. With a lot of the trauma that has occurred in these people's lives during the war, I don't doubt that a lot of them suffer from post tramatic stress disorder. Over coffee it some of the past and present issues brought up and it was explained that with new issues that arise in their lives (a sickness or death of a loved one, etc), they are hit with a whole wave of past emotions in combination with their current feelings and fears. But they managed to collectively support eachother, and move forward bearing grins and laughter to get through the day!
Our first interview was with Silva, the defectologist who is capable of speaking for an hour straight on a single breath, and needless to say, it took 1.5 hours to complete an interview that should take about 20 minutes. But we love her dearly, and she gave us a lot of insight and depth of the social issues not just at Radost Zivota, but in Bosnia in general. She explained a lot of the themes and topics that she discusses in workshops, what's worked, and what hasn't worked in the past. She has the largest heart, and explained that you can't do anything without hope for a better tomorrow. She explained how the economy in Bosnia is still suffering tremendously, and although the best thing for the "kids" would be for them to get jobs, how are they supposed to get jobs when the unemployment rate is already through the roof? The job market is so competitive for every job, regardless if you're a city worker or a rocket scientist. But she talked a lot about the positive aspects of the centre, and the hope she has for it's future.
We carried on with more interviews, only to be interrupted by Nermin calling us for lunch that Hana had prepared. Nermin said that Ana and I are so Canadian, working non-stop. Comparing the work ethic between Europe and North America is like comparing apples and bicycles- they're polar opposites, with Ana and I stuck somewhere in the middle. We're in a constant battle between getting everything done in our utmost efficient and studious manner, and taking it easy, embracing and capturing the cultural essense of our surroundings. We managed a balance of both today, spending time with the mothers, the professionals, the members, and getting our interviews done.
The members are getting VERY excited, as there is a planned outing on Friday to Igman, one of the Olympic sites from the 1984 Winter Olympic Games here in Sarajevo. It is an excursion planned and paid for by a group of Americans that are here visiting. We don't know much else about the day, but the members are preparing. We found out that the region is known to have snakes and tics, and we are to prepare ourselves for that (I already have anxiety). But Ana and I walked into the group room today while Silva was facilitating some group discussion and I learned some new tips and important Bosnian lessons regarding sun safety. It all started when Ana and I sat down, and Silva commented on the differences between Ana and I's skin. I being the blonde hair, blue eyed and pale human I am, should be careful in the sun (this part I already knew... I've been battling a heat rash for 10 days now!), and should maybe consider using sunscreen if I'll be in the sun for long periods of time. But IF I were to get a burn, I great remedy is 1) JOGURT (amazing thin plain yogurt that is found throughout the Balkans--try it.. it'll change your life) that is known to "pull out your burn", 2) a cold beer (not to drink, but to use topically on your skin), or 3) cold water and soap. If I'm looking to get a great rich brown tan, Silva suggests that I mix half a bottle of olive oil with half a bottle of beer. I don't care how great the tan is, it wont make up for the stickiness of your skin (you ever had beer spilled on you at the bar- not fun!) and millions of bee stings you'll get. So, again, I pass on the great ancient knowledge of these fabulous people. I'm sure they'll be more I'll learn as the days go on...
I must comment on some of the current hair styles throughout Europe and the Balkans. A few years ago, when I lived in Spain, I was infactuated with the plethora of styles and various European flares of the classic mullet (you know, business in the front and party in the back). Although this is one of the reasons I refused to get my hair cut in the year and a half I lived in Madrid, it was always a sight seeing a multi-coloured or dreadlocked mullet, the she-mull (the almost stylish female mullet), the skullet (bald on top, long in the back), and so and so on. It was always a great day when you saw a beautiful or strange and amazing mullet, leaving you with a smile on your face, and a story to tell the next friend you saw (considering most people shared my appreciation for mullets). Well over 2 years later, you still do see mullets running around, and although I haven't lost my appreciation for a unique mullet, I have a new infactuation.... rat tails or RT for short.
Rat tails are thin strips of hair that flow off the back of peoples (generally short) hair. They are sometimes braided (BRT for braided rat tail), sometimes long (LRT), sometimes dreadlocked (DRT), and they sometimes protrude from various areas of one's head. But today we saw the most beautiful combination of a thick long dreadlocked RT (TLDRT) protruding from the top of his occipital lobe (mid-skull), and 2 BRT protruding from the base of his skull on either side of the TLDRT that were half as short. Ana and I were speechless in it's beauty, and have named it "The Trio", and we're certain it has magical powers and is the answer to many of life's unexplained events.
After "The Trio", there is nothing else I can say about today, and we should get back to work over a glass of appropriately priced European wine! Miss thee!
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