Well, what can I say? It's a "Winter Wonderland"! So I sing the song, walking along, walking in a "Winter Wonderland". There was a call from Ljubica; a special Serbian sandwich was consumed; and some violent television programs. Sometime later in the afternoon, Benito took the bus into town to the holy place of all in Serbia, Saint Sava! It is the largest Orthodox Church in all of Serbia and what a sight to behold. It is something like Aya Sofia in Istanbul. Benito approves of this message. Leaving the crowded bus once again, Benito found himself at the stop light before crossing the tracks and entering the holy site. He stopped to take a photograph from a distance where little boys and girls were playing together. Suddenly from behind there appeared some Serbian police. Benito had been warned by Ivana: "Don't speak English near the police!" Benito was afraid, so he shut his eyes and counted to ten. When he opened them, they were gone! After a few more pictures, Benito entered inside. The place had been under construction and had been damaged in the bombings, so it was some site to behold, with large concrete ceiling and icons everywhere. Benito passed by the small shops, making the sign of the cross in the Orthodox style and kissing the icons. Then coming around the side passageway, he came upon a side chapel or place of worship. There were people here, some lighting candles, others kissing icons. Benito stood there for awhile, taking in the scene, then after awhile standing there observing, Benito did as the Serbians did and went up to the middle icon, making the sign of the cross. Which shoulder was it? Left or right? Benito observed carefully and carefully made the sign of the cross from right shoulder to left, then chest, then lips, and finally to the floor. Then he hit up the Virgin Mary, kissing the cloth below the icon. Suddenly there appeared the Orthodox priest, hurrying in from the cold. The whole church, you see, was open to the weather outside and an urn burned nearby yielding warmth. Benito, however, stood by another young lady so that he could better observe when to do the crossing of oneself. A choir formed nearby and started to chant. Benito had found himself as part of a service and had no choice but to attend, so he did his best to follow the rituals.
An elder lady went around kissing icons as the service progressed, making the sign and singing along in a low murmur. She struck Benito as being very devout Orthodox. Benito, on the other hand, while he had no idea what they were singing, hummed along nevertheless and followed the signing of the cross. He also noticed that people, after kissing the icons, were petting something next to it. He did not want to stick out like a sore thumb in the presence of these fellow Serbians! Especially with the guard behind the glass. One foul move, and... He thought himself to be doing a pretty good job, however, and when the priest moved around with the incense, he turned his body in the direction of the priest and achnowledged him as he passed by crossing himself at that time, just like he had done in the Russian Orthodox Church back home. When the service finished, Benito moved to acknowledge the other icons. (NB: Ivana has just found a perfect Serbian restaurant! But back to the story...) He kissed one to the right of the "high altar" and moved to kiss the one to the left, but then another lady moved in to do the same, and then the priest, boxing out poor Benito, who had prepared himself with money to put in the slot. The Orthodox Serbians were not petting the icons... they were putting money into the slot! But, as noted, the priest was there to bless a woman, kneeling down by that particular icon, so there was nothing for it but to wait and see. So wait Benito did. For awhile, at least, until it became apparent that the priest would be taking quite a bit of time. So, Benito found himself another suitable icon, kissed and "petted" it, and went on his way. He stood there from the back, observing the ceremony for a time, as others filtered in, lighting icons and witnessing this ritual. Perhaps he was admonishing her for her sins, or performing some sort of exorcism: Benito could only guess! After a long time or a short time, Benito left the sanctuary and made for the exit, but not before buying a holy icon in the shape of St. Sava itself, which will be a nice present for his kitchen back home. Exiting the church, Benito made his way through the snow around the side as the bells were ringing outside, wondering where was the National Library. Benito was about to ask a lady passing by where it was, but then noticed the police station nearby and decided against it. Benito figured that they might be able to hear his English within a 10 km radius of where he was speaking. And it was too cold to spend the night in jail (!), so Benito kept silent, and also kept his cool, moving around the side of the adjacent, dark building, wondering if this was indeed the National Libary. He come upon an entrance, but it was not what he was looking for, so he continued onward. Jovanna had told him that the library was under repair and there was indeed another building nearby under repair, but how many buildings in Serbia are under repair?! As Benito could make out from a distance, it was not the National Library. So, Benito continued along, passing by some kids who were sledding. At this point, Benito did not know what to do. To go left or right, that was the question. Benito spotted a statue in the distance nearby that looked like some remnant from a Stalinist past, and decided to make for it. A dog came up to Benito's side and the owner called it back with strict words. Other children were playing 'King of the Mountain' nearby the statue when Benito approached it from the back, and people huddled along in the cold. A few people were taking pictures of the statue and the temple behind, but Benito paid them little heed. He gave them a wave, but lest they be Soviet conspirators with the police, he did not engage with speech! His picture taking at an end, Benito made for the Apotheka, desiring of some dental floss. But how to get in?? The door he tried found himself in a small grocery store! Argghhh. So, Benito exited and tried again, but try as he might, he just could not find it. He felt like "K", searching for the entrance to the castle. Finally, like his quest for the National Library, he just gave up and headed for the bus where he would wait for an eternity, buying a magazine to ask for directions while another cop strolled on by. Heavens! How long for bus #78?! But bus # 78 it was, and come it did finally! AFter twenty buses marked #48 and several #33. Oh, and another thing! This bus station was like "make-out central". It seemed like every guy with his girl was making out at the bus stop, and Benito was sure to notice this point. Hmmm.... (if only.)
When Benito got to his final destination, there was Ivana coming up from behind. Oh, what a pleasant sight to see all that snow around the home sweet home. A group of kids was playing soccer next to their building and the ball landed close to Benito. Benito flashed them the 'peace sign' and continued on his merry way.
What do you get for a Klondike bar? These were some of the thoughts running through Benito's head that night as he played Happy Acquarium on his F/B, successfully mating two of his virtual fishes. But enough of these children's games! Time for Serbia: Day 4!
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