Serbia: Day Four!

That afternoon headed out the troops for to report at the Police Station and make known what was to come! In there was another scene from Kafka's novels. People waiting in line for who knows what. It reminded Benito of the DMV back home. Oh, my! Well, at least they didn't have to wait, for sure enough, Ivana found out that they needed to be elsewhere, just next door. So away they went back outside and around the corner. There was some more Serbian spoken in hushed tones and the policeman indicated that they ought to fill out some form. So fill out the form they did and returned it as asked. Unfortunately, it could not be done, for Ivana was not the owner of the household. Oh, well. So off they went again into the snow. What's to be done! They headed away. They could deport me? Well, that's the truth. I'm thinking, said Ivana. And that's all she wrote. So they headed for the next place, noting the snowy weather all around. There was some large department store across the street, but Ivana knew where the best mall was. And that's where they went later, but for now, more bus riding in this never-ending story. You know your way around, said Ivana, so you can go around by yourself now. Sure! Benito said. Whatev's. Departing the bus, they came to the next corner, and there appeared suddenly Ivana's sister, Jovana. Hello, Jovana! So off the three of them went on another adventure in Belgrade. To that hallowed place, the Bohemian quarter!

Benito followed behind, looking in the little cafes scattered here and there. What you gonna do?! This is where the poets and playwrights come, exxplained Ivana. Ok, said Benito. They stopped to take some pictures there in that place, and Benito noted the Stella Artois above the door, promising himself that he'd come back for a pint at some point. One beer, ok. Two beers, ok. Three beers, not so good. Beer before liquor, never been sicker. Rakkia before beer, you're in the clear! hahaha. After a few more photos, they continued on their merry way, past more hang-outs and outdoor cafes, until crossing the street they arrived at the Little Bay Restaurant. Benito was betting that they had a piano, and he was not far off. They had an electric piano. So, so. Immediately, Benito asked to play in this, the restaurant near the National Theatre. All over the walls were painted paintings of classical quality and opera music sounded over the loudspeaker. This was a good point about this piano: it had a great sound speaker. It was electric, but what you gonna do? First, Benitoo asked where the bathroom was so that he could warm his hands, eventhough they were already warm. Then coming back, he sat down and they silenced the overhead music for his benefit so that he would have the mastery over the music. Benito had thought to play the Debussy first, but then elected for the Beethoven, as they had been so nice as to silence the overhead music. So, Benito the pianist commenced his performance in the restaurant. It wasn't perfect, but Benito wasn't trying to be perfect. He was simply stretching his fingers and seeing what the effect might have on the people gathered there. It was quite the experience to play there in that place!

That afternoon they feasted on such a feast as was fit for Kings! Haha. Ivana and Benito shared the El Grande Guapo portion and Jovana had some other chicken dish. It was quite nice: the girls were having lemonades and Benito elected for the zizzy water. We must do this again sometime! said Benito, and so they would, four days later (at least, that was Benito's prediction). In Serbia, we eat like kings! It's very cheap here. In fact, it's so cheap that no matter what you do, you can't spend more than $4, as hard as you try. True, Benito had spent close to $15 on an icon at Sava's, but that was all. His gloves he purchased on the street for an affordable 10 cents. Hey, even 50 cent could get along in the city! What a drag! And that's what they did later on: drag on cigarettes, but more on that later!

The doors opened wide for the guests to depart, just as if you were exiting the theater and their waitor said to Benito, "That was a wonderful performance." And so it had been, and Benito was glad thereby as they went past some more Serbian Republic buildings and the National Theater. At that point, Jovana took her leave and went off in another direction, leaving Ivana and Benito to fend for themselves. Well, that is what you have to do in Belgrade at least: fend for yourself! And so was it another successful venture among the streets of Belgrade, and so did they take in the sights, although Ivana had seen it all before... They picked up a bus nearby another cafe and took that to another McCafe, where Ivana had a hot-chocolate, which was also Benito's favorite, but Benito got an espresso instead.

Suddenly Anika appeared and there was much rejoicing. They talked for a time, then went on their merry way to a scheduled appointment about exchanges abroad, at which Benito pleasantly slept. Ivana had expressed her fear of elevators from her time as a small child and this carried forth from that day. But no matter, she was brave. So on they went to catch the next bus to the mall. There Benito bought a new sweater. Such a nice mall it was, and Benito felt like breaking out to the hip-hop music, but refrained lest it be taken the wrong way.>> Ivana had an appointment, but promised they would come back again for the winter boots. At this point, Benito had a pair of hiking boots that he had picked up on his journeys to the west coast.

Thus ended Day Four in Serbia. Oh yes, and the girls, as always, were playing "that game": dice. Haha. Benito has yet to indulge in such trivial pursuits, but maybe one day in the future, as in not at all, but he does not judge... ;) Peace!