Serbia, Days 7th to 14th (last part)

One of the first thoughts i made as soon as i woke up that Wednesday morning was that at last i was for one whole week in Serbia. However, should i stay one more week in Nis, without walks around and "ups and downs" ? Just as i thought it, i decided it and so i did!!!

Most of my friends have already been informed, they know that i am in the city, so i begin to meet all of them, in random order ( not in order of "priority" ) and in "random" places! I have to run a bit, but i like it!!!

On Wednesday i go to Dream café with Mima, the "married mum" , as i used to call her while we studied (she was and still is a mother of two children, so i wasn’t lying). Later on, i meet Maria from Skopje and drink a juice in the shopping centre Kalca.
On my way home, i take some pictures of known buildings, café in the park, the church of Saint Sava, but also… something new: Grill Goldy's!!!
The same evening, we go out with Emy in club Scena (Scene), where my friend Paci plays music (and here you can take a taste… or maybe two).

Thursday’s morning finds me in my old beloved neighbourhood, taking pictures of the "dirty" brasserie that my "goats" friends (especially Emy and Theodora) liked sooo much, a picture of the entry to my beloved house, but also the entry of the next building, where Theodora lived.
I continue my walk and get to the park, where i sit with my fellow student "cat mother" Maria and drink coffee… outside (it’s a bit cold, but… this is Serbia, we can handle it).
Since i have a couple of hours free, i think about going to my last house and see my neighbours. We were never in a "close" relation, but when you live next to somebody for almost 3 years, exchange "good mornings" , "good evenings" and a mixer, when it’s needed, they do remember something. For my good luck, their doors open widely… for my bad (maybe bad) luck, they also open bottles with raki!!!
Maybe it’s this day’s fortune that i go from house to house, since as soon as i leave from my neighbours, i visit Ivana, my favourite hairdresser. Married with Alexandar, recently gave birth to a daughter, Dubravka. Well done, people, i am glad for you!!!
I get back to the park, where i began my day with my morning coffee, but now i drink beers with my very good friend Ivan! We talk almost till the bar closes (something that happens at midnight, since it’s a working day’s night), i grab something to eat and return home.

Friday is full of beloved persons and places. I start with the Medical faculty, where i meet professor of Microbiology Suzana and we drink coffee. I continue with the gym that was "struggling" me for ages, 2M, and i find there my "crazy" trainer, Natasa. I end up to the new house of my neighbour Tania and her husband Igor, where they announce to me that Tania is pregnant! Super! I wish i could hear such joyful news every day! Let’s drink a little more now!
(This evening i "move" again, i go back to Darko’s house).

So many days in Serbia, i had to see a "white" one! I wake up on Saturday morning and everything is crystal white! Naturally, i get ready and go out for walks, even if the snow has already melted!
I begin from the castle where i take some pictures, as always (i believe i have at least five times the same pics), i continue with the Ethnic Gallery for some souvenirs and photographs (and i meet there Ivana), while i don’t miss the chance for a walk at the castle’s open air bazaar (as you know, i worship open air bazaars). Something new in Nis, a development: a new parking method, via sms! We still don’t have such thing in Thessaloniki!
I have frozen by the cold, so i arrange a "hot" coffee! I meet Milica in Pleasure café, while in a table near us Darko enjoys his coffee and lunch, with his Saturday company!
Even if i want to relax for a while in the house (where Darko is listening to "Radio 7, on 88,8" ), i don’t waste the afternoon like that! I go to the supermarket and buy delicacies that i used to eat when i was studying, while afterwards i drink coffee with two good friends, Dragana (Gaga) and Alexandra (Acka)… and a "child", Sonia ( Acka’s cousin… she was such a… "babe"...).
Saturday evening and in order to have a good "closing" of the day (or the night), i go for a drink with Darko, Emy and Katerina… and we laugh! I get very happy, when i see "my people" laughing!!!

Even if Sunday in Nis is the open air bazaar day for me, this time i decide to go for a walk alone, in the city. I take the bus, go to the centre (you can see here the Horse… or maybe, the "horse" ? ), i go to the castle, once again at the Ethnic Gallery, where i get to know Gielena (Jelena… aaah), while i don’t stop taking pictures, around the city!
At some time, i pass by my friend’s Lukaic old house. Milian and Vesna live there, some years now. Friends since my first study years, a couple since then, married with children now! My friends for ever, i could say! (Their little girl drove me crazy! When i asked her what she was doing, she answered with a relaxed look "here i am, bored, pooping and watching cartoons"… hahaha).
I return to Darko’s house and wish him a nice journey again (and "i move" again at Emy’s). He leaves for another professional journey and this time i know that when he returns, i will not be here. However, we will meet soon, we can’t get "lost"!
Later that night, i go out for a drink with a friend, Natasa! She calls me "crazy", even if she is "nuts"! When i first met her, years ago, she was reading a fat, "heavy", Greek book! She can speak Greek very good… actually; she is good in other languages, too… (as in body language)!

Monday and Tuesday were a little bit more relaxed days. I got together with friends and fellow students that i had already met once, i walked in streets that i had seen the previous days, i went again for lunch to my neighbours (they are to blame that i gained some extra kilos).
However, i also did some other things: i went for a coffee at the "Greek" student coffee bar (which doesn’t have anything Greek anymore) and to my favourite café "Welcome", at the park of avenue Nemanits. I played with Milica’s dog, Daba, went to the dentist (in the faculty, where my good friend Alexis, took care of my teeth), i met Dejan, a fellow student and friend from the old days, in the Serbian student coffee bar, and got together with a very nice couple, Sonia and Nikola (well, guys… i wish you the best for your wedding).
My evenings were easy and calm, at Emy’s house, talking, listening to music, or get some brain cells "burned" in youtube with funny (as this, this and also this one) and music videos (as this, this and also this one). Respect, Emy!!!

At some unexpected time, i accepted a call, from my good friend Lukaic. He told me that, on Friday, 28th of November, our Medicine diplomas would be handed to us, in Athens. Therefore… no matter how great time i am having here, it is time to leave Serbia!

One last coffee, with Militsa in Pleasure and another one in café Sky, in the centre of Nis (from where you can see almost the whole city), with "goat girls", Emy, Maria (or else "the Papa" ) and Katerina, and now i have to say "goodbye" to my favourite Balkan city and to all friends that i have there.
Strange and perhaps "funny": a few times, i thought that i have there more friends, that there i feel like in "my place". Possibly it’s because of the alcohol and raki that i drank all these days. Perhaps all these "creatures" that kept me company and dedicated to me songs like this (titled "my bigger wish" ). Maybe a big (bitter?) truth is just hiding, in these thoughts i had…
Anyway, this time in Serbia, i had an incredibly beautiful time and i thank all of you who gave me even just a little from your time, in order to make my stay there better!
I unconditionally recommend to all of you who have not visited this country, a journey to Serbia and even better, to Nis! Actually, i am inviting you already! Prepare your passports and let’s go! Around the 10th of January, Nis, i’m coming (back)!!!

P. S.: In this text i have added a lot of photographs and videos and i hope i didn’t get you tired or bored. I just wanted to share with you as more pictures as i could! In any case, i believe, that i satisfied my friend Onar! I hope all of you, too! Kisses and happy holidays!!!