And so to continue with the story, for they did not have to wait long for the bus, as it was there. Do you have your ticket? Oops. Must have left it at home along with the camera... Oh, well, buses in Serbia are like half-free anyway.... yeah. Whatever. They said "Vidimo se kasnije" to the Serbian student/ And Jovana is a very intelligent, pretty girl, just like Hermione Granger, for the record. But in any case, Benito continued to study his Serbian on the bus, learning how to say "See you later" and other such phrases such as this. Note to self: Buy Ivana a Christmas present. But to continue with the story... So they got off at their stop and that is rather fuzzy, but now I remember yes, it was near the McDonald's and Benito wants a hamburger (NOW!), but Anika's threatening to shoot him for this, so he shuts his mouth, and doesn't bank on the computer, for Ivana might shoot him. Oh, dear. But they went through the Chamber of Secrets and came upon Diagon Alley, from which point they passed through the Darkness and came upon a place of light where the sun was shining brightly and all the world was in a harmony with itself, and so was Belgrade at this moment. But enough of recollections fondly remembered well. They entered the Main Street where lots of shopping took place, including the buying of hair coloring, for indeed many a hair had been colored the previous night, and that's not all! For Benito engaged in such activities, as mentioned previously, and now is a blondie. Haha. But back to the story.... He found himself in a busy scene of lots and lots of Serbian girls, all looking at dresses and such things as this, and Benito was quite overwhelmed by it all, until Ivana found him once again and saved him from a cruel fate. Haha. Ok, well at least he survived all that shopping, lots of looking and not too much buying. But who's to judge?! Belgrade is shopping centrale!
After a long time or a short time, they came to the Serbian fortress, or Kalemegdan. This was quite a sight to see from a distance and they waited in line after having bought some tourist paraphanalia and Benito noticed a dog just laying there peacefully, just like he had seen from the bus. But enough of such pleasantries. They waited patiently (or not so much) for the light to change.
Then embarked on a path of buying! Such trinkets were placed in front of them for easy access, and more and more rings and things and everything nice was there for the taking. What a fond scene it was, truly! I buy you this for Christmas, said Ivana. and so she did. Benito, in turn, bought some things for the sisters Ivana. and there was much rejoicing! Finally, after taking another card from the salesman, they came to the fortress. And Benito was pleased to find tennis courts just outside the fortification's walls. Wow! That is cool, thought Benito. And so it was. Truly. But Benito did not stop there. He continued through the doors of the fortress. He wondered how many wars had been fought on these very grounds and soon encountered the treasured tanks from the Serbian War Museum. How... pleasant! These must be some remnants from a Soviet past, but Benito continued on, through yet another gated passageway, Ivana snapping pictures as they went. 
there was a guard here as well, but he looked friendly enough, and they passed by without further inquiry. Such was the manner of their going. And then they encountered an open field with many different paths, all leading around to the walls of the fortress, such steep walls, and a level plain below, extending out to the water, the Sava and the Danube, the beautiful waters everywhere. And this, the place where the waters meet! Benito took in the scene there for a time to his heart's content and then moved past yet another set of guards to the platform below, where he went into a little cave, which was a lookout point for viewing the waters below, at this strategic position, all could be seen in four different directions. Benito imagined how it had been in the past with the Turkish invasions and these rivers serving as strategic points of landing upon the capital city. Belgrade, the last stand! Haha.Then they surely came upon the remnants from a Soviet era, and the end of WWII. yes, these important men were remembered there. And there was much rejoicing (!), yet again. I wonder how Sanja is enjoying her time in Italy? Indeed, Benito had met up with her the previous night, meeting at RED Square, that is, the central square called the Square of the Republic, which features a mounted horseman. No sooner had Benito arrived (after being yet again paranoid about the many policemen he encountered, but nothing happening badly), then Sanja showed up and they went off together to Globaltrekkers. It was quite pleasant and the rain came down all around inside. Well, at least, you could hear it, and indeed, there were a few drops coming down on Benito's head. So much so that he had to move his chair. But there was this other American, sitting with some Serbs, who was studying Serbian truly, for then a couple of Seriban girls came and sat beside him, looking over his papers, critiquing. And Benito wondered how to say "Good luck!" in Serbian. But then Sanja's friends showed up and there was much rejoicing. It was made evident that there was indeed a piano here and Benito would one day play it, that was for shizzle. But for now, he was content to sip his Gluh-wein, err, mulled wine. But only one glass! They talked about a range of different subjects, including teaching in Japan and other interesting topics of discussion in Serbian, for truly I tell you, you shall speak Serbian so that everyone can understand you. And so it was coming into town from that faraway monastery that was not to be found. Indeed, Benito had found some sort of basketball court, but no monastery. But that was cool, for he found his bus after a lady was like, here is the stop, and speaking only in Serbian so that everyone can understand, as the saying goes, and she indicated that Benito should depart the bus at that time, so that is what he did. And another nice Serb instructed Benito that he take the bus with them downtown. And that is what they did. They waved goodbye and so he was there. It was familiar to him at that time, as it was the following day. But back to that night where they embraced and said goodbye, promising to meet again in Japan, for that was quite a special occasion for them all. And so it was, and so it was. But back to the story....
Ivana was getting a bit tired, as was Benito, for their time at Kalemegdan was coming to an end. Benito had seen a man walking his dog from the upper ramparts and watch-point, and now he saw a man writing on a bench, and envied him for that poetic scene. Indeed, Serbia has many poets and great writers of note, including but not limited to one author of "The Bridge over the Drina". Fast forward to another time of shopping, stopping in various stores, including 'time out', brands from California. Indeed, Benito was a 'Lo Ridda, so he naturally gravitated to these brands. But buy it right away he did not, for Benito was not an "impulse shopper". Instead, be bought a belt with 'che' on the front, passing up the jeans in the "thrift store" and deciding not to gamble that night, for fear of what the trouble he might cause, but telling himself that he would indeed visit the Casino on the river one day. And all rejoiced for they were to see Avatar the following night, which may seem like a movie about these computer-animated creatures that can fly, but is really about race. Just a thought put out by one Hakim Thompson on F/B. Peace and good will for this very Merry Christmas! And special thanks to all of Benito's loyal fans. Hvala!
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