A Photo a Day Keeps the Parents at Bay: Dream Come True

Day 30 - Belgrade, Serbia:

This morning welcomed us with moooore rain. Rain, rain, go away.

After breakfast we all walked over to the Kalemegdan Fortess about 15 minutes away. The moats we passed leading into the castle have been transformed for other purposes, which I thought was really neat. One of them had basketball courts down there, another ping pong tables, and the best of all, clay tennis courts in another. We walked along the castle wall, although we weren't rewarded with good views due to the rain. There was a statue called the Victor we came across that I happened to get an interesting photo of (see below).

Next was the military museum which I spent about an hour walking through. Unfortunately there wasn't much English so it was a little confusing to figure out - the pictures helped. I then made my way back to the main drag in Old Belgrade and walked down there. There were lots of shops and cafés. I came across a big clear box covered in pictures of the flooding that affected Serbia a month or more ago in the middle of the boulevard. It was a donation box. Continuing along, I came to St. Sava's church - the largest Orthodox Church in the world. It seemed as if the ceilings went on forever when standing inside - quite impressive.

I was pretty sleepy at this point and started to crash. Lunch time. I just went to a supermarket and got some fruit and a sandwich and then of course, some yummy baklava at the bakery on the corner of the hotel. I sat in the room and relaxed and ate. It's nice having time alone sometimes!

I had dinner reservations for dinner at 6:30 at Novak Djokovic's (my favourite tennis player, and future husband) restaurant. Originally I was just going to go alone, but our leader, Brian, heard of my plan and decided to join me. Then 4 others decided to as well, which was good! I got ready and tried to dress up my appearance a bit, just in case Novak happened to be there. You never know!

At 5 I met with the others in the hotel courtyard for some pre-dinner wine and chocolate (it's become a tradition) and did some journaling. When the time came, we all hopped into cabs into New Belgrade, across the river. The restaurant was in a very residential, apartment filled area.

I was so excited to be there. I took pictures of anything and everything once inside. There were tennis ball pillars, paintings of tennis players all over, a fountain with Djokovic engraved into it doing a fist pump, and then downstairs was an area with photos of him at each tournament he's won.

I asked the waiter if he's ever met Djokovic and he said, "yes of course, he's my boss". I asked if he comes often and he said yes. I told him I was a huge fan and he replied with "one second...,"

and then walked away, so I figured he thought I was crazy and had left. Then he came back and said, "that's his father and brothers right over there," and sure enough, I instantly recognized his dad. They were sitting there watching the Australia vs. Netherlands football game. I became a bit of an annoying giddy school girl, but I couldn't help it.

Dinner was amazing. Everyone enjoyed their food. I had chicken burritos, as you do when in Serbia?

After eating I noticed the family was getting up to leave and our waiter was over there talking to them. He then motioned for me to go over there. I was so confused! Next thing I know, Marko, Djokovic's second youngest brother, and also a great tennis player, was coming over to introduce himself to me. He was so kind and spoke perfect English. He shook all of our hands and asked about our time in Serbia. Our waiter kindly took a photo of me with him as well (see below). I was blushing like crazy. It was too much for me to handle. Everyone at dinner was making fun of me, but also excited about the timing as well.

Riding on my high, we all went from there into the Bohemia Quarter, back in Old Belgrade across the river again, for some drinks and to watch the Spain vs. Chile football game. It was a really cute area with outdoor restaurants all along both sides of the cobblestone street. I had some not so good white wine to cap off the night before heading back.

Tomorrow is an early morning bus ride to Nis, Serbia!

Great use of old fortress moats: