Winter To Spring

First snow, October 13. Snow Day (no school), March 10. Unlike the two week winter we experienced in Southern China, the Balkan winter has some bite. During this time we've sledded (thanks to the Stalkers and their steep driveway across the street), introduced the girls to skiing (thanks to Igman, Olympic ski jumping site and home to a great bunny hill) and generally made the most of the white stuff.

Spring, however, may have finally arrived this weekend. Enjoy the photos.
View of the hill just outside our house. Trying to drum up support amongst the locals to build a lift.
Our house, early March. The bag you see is Jim's skis, about 8:30AM on a Saturday. 40 minutes later, on the mountain.Talin and Alma playing with Vera Stalker. Our house is white one partially hidden by tree on the left.

This is where we buy lift tickets at Jahorina. Great thing about the Bosnians, they don't like to get up early to ski. However, at 11AM or so, you can stand in front of this shack for about an hour waiting to buy one. In the background, brand new 6 seat high speed lift. The mountain has 2 of them, both installed this season.
Talin on skis for the first time. Dad was the the instructor. Jury still out as to whether Talin learned anything. Talin has enjoyed skiing this year, biggest challenge is getting Dad and Talin (or Alma) on the rope tow at the same time.
Alma didn't miss out. Alma's favorite part of skiing is when Daddy let's her ski by herself at the bottom of the run.
Rose gearing up on "snow day". Wednesday off of school, so we hit the mountain. Notice all the cars in the lot, it's about 9AM. Believe there were 6 or 7 by middle of the day.
Jim enjoying a pivo (beer) with Melissa after a day of skiing. Stalkers outdoor fireplace/bbq serves as a gathering point, regardless of season.

Bombed out hotel, Jahorina. Jahorina was in Serb controlled territory, and served as a military HQ during the war. Surprising how many bombed structures still visible in Sarajevo and surrounding area.
Yesterday, March 20. Bluebird day! Another great thing about the Bosnians, they like the groomers, never ski off piste. Last snowfall about 7 days ago, and still laying down fresh tracks.
Alma at Igman. Our favorite place to take the girls. While Jim instructs one, Rose sleds with the other. We wrap it up with a lunch of cevapi and french fries, home in time for naps. The still intact ski jumps and larger surrounding mountains provide the backdrop.
Jim and Rose at the Burns' Supper in downtown Sarajevo. In honor of Scottish poet Robert Burns. Never read his stuff. Didn't stop us from attending his bash. If haggis, scotch, meat and dancing are your bag, great event. Expat community was out in full force.

Spring. Talin is a big time tree climber.

Talin and Alma checking out books at school. On Friday, Alma comes to school with us in the morning to return, then check out books. Skirts of every color a theme in the Tyvand household.
Relaxing at the Stalkers, March 20. Jim had spent the earlier part of the day on the mountain, latter part of the day soaking up sun (and pivo).
Rose's sun dance with Heidi.

Spring dress up day!
Sheep. On occasion, the kids chase and herd the flock.
Princess Alma. May the force be with her.

Dubrovnik - You Gotta See This Place

Late in November we took advantage of a long weekend and drove to Dubrovnik, Croatia, about 4 1/2 hours from Sarajevo. We'd seen photos, had the guide book, heard the good word of mouth about the place, but all that didn't seem to prepare us for the amazing sight that is the walled city of Dubrovnik. Naturally, we first witnessed it driving around it on less than a one-lane road looking for a place to park. Amazingly, the parking "dudes" had little patience for a caravan of three cars blocking traffic, asking for directions in English, and generally disrupting the calm, non touristy, non cruise season, late fall Dubrovnik.

Alas, we did find a place to store the autos, and entered the walled city where we would be staying for the next three days. The idea to stay at a small pension inside the city proved a good decision, and we would highly recommend to anyone thinking of a visit.

We spent our first evening dining at a waterside pizza place, looking back over the city as the sun went down. The kids had a plaza to run around, and the adults had copious amounts of red wine to enjoy.

We spent most of our weekend exploring the many plazas, courtyards, alleys, and nooks that make up the walled city. There was a noticeable absence of kids, and guessing that when the six we had engaged in a light-saber battle in one of the squares, a few locals may have noticed.

We'll be back for another look, in the meantime, enjoy the photos.





OUR PIZZA PLACE

Riga - It's Dark Here

In November 2009, the adult version of the Tyvand family attended an AP conference in Riga, Latvia. Highlights included a 5 hour layover in Vienna without children, a hotel with an extensive sauna complex (reminded us of Russian banya experience) in the basement, good restaurants and an evening in downtown Riga.

Given the time of year, the latitude of Latvia, and the fact that we spent our days locked up in meetings, we really only got to see Riga at night. Another way of saying that if you dropped us off there in the daytime we may not recognize the place. Theme of the trip, "Riga, it's dark here".

We spent our first night in the hotel utilizing the extensive sauna system in the basement. One had their choice of sauna rooms based upon temperature. Small pools were available for the inevitable cool down.

Our last evening we explored the historic cobblestone downtown area and celebrated our 8th wedding anniversary.

The daytime picture you see is taken in Jarmala, location of our hotel, approximately 20 km from Riga. Beach resort town, and judging from the photos posted in local restaurants, quite the place to be during the summer months.

Friends, Futbol, and Snow

October 12. Snow. After three years of "summer" in Southern China, welcome to Sarajevo. Two days prior we had been enjoying a Saturday picnic in 75 degree weather. So much for fall.

The girls did not see the snow until the morning of the 13th. By 7AM they were fully outfitted. Mom and Dad had to work, while Talin was "sick", so that she and Alma could play. Talin loved the snow. Alma has yet to make up her mind. The snow was deep and thick enough that Alma kept getting stuck where she was. We figure by "sledding" season, she'll come around.


About six inches of the fluffy stuff (actually a heavy, wet snow) fell. Great for snowball fights. Lots of tree damage as the leaves had yet to fall off, in fact we lost a small tree as it fell in our driveway.

Futbol - This Wednesday Jim was fortunate enough to attend Bosnia v. Spain World Cup qualifying match in Zenica, about an hour north of Sarajevo. Spain had already clinched first in the group, Bosnia second (see further explanation below), so little at stake except pride. Bosnia had plenty of it, unfortunately, Spain (#1 team in the world) had the better futbol team. Despite the 5-2 loss, Bosnian fans in full chanting and singing mode throughout. It was impressive to see Spain play, making the US victory over Spain this summer seem that much more incredible.

A few days before Bosnia v. Spain, Bosnia had traveled to Estonia for a World Cup qualifier. By winning that game, Bosnia assured themselves of at least a shot of qualifying for the World Cup. I continue to mention futbol (soccer), as it has been the dominant theme for this nation of late. The victory set off a city-wide celebration that we were fortunate enough to witness. Our good friends Sean and Dianna were also in town to share this experience with us.

Tyvand's and Egusa's enjoying ourselves at a downtown cafe watching Bosnia v. Estonia.

Rug and artifact shop just off the main promenade in Old Town (Bascarsija District)

People of Sarajevo streaming into the Old Town District after the victory over Estonia. A source of immense national pride as arguably the most positive national event following the 92-95 war.

Scene from a mosque during the evening call to prayer (approximately 9:30PM

We were very fortunate to have our good friends, the Eguasa's, as visitors last week. As you now know, they could not have picked a better time. Thursday evening (their first day) started with a visit to a local Bosnian restaurant on the river, Imidz. They spent Friday downtown exploring, and then joined us that evening for a party at the British Ambassadors residence (sponsored by the school's Parent Organization). Saturday was a staff BBQ (The 75 degree one), then Saturday night downtown for futbol and celebration.


Jim and Sean enjoying the downtown revelry.


Scenes from Old Town. Above, Catholic Church (steps from an Orthodox Church, and many Mosques). Below, Bosnia fan celebrating at the eternal flame.


Posing in front of the School Logo. Yep, we work in Sarajevo.