Belgrade.
Parliament
I have been both surprised and delighted, like seeing a new Target home display, with how charming the Balkans have been. When we arrived in Romania we couldn’t believe how unique the city was. Every restaurant was adorable, cafes had the sweetest little table settings, the buildings were such an eclectic mix that it just was awe inspiring to walk around the city. Arriving in Beograd (Belgrade) was no different.
The charming hilly city had the same eclectic mix of buildings, the coolest looking restaurants and unique boutiques to support all the different types of local artists. It was cozy and friendly, like I was arriving back in a city I had previously spent years of my life. It has been my favorite city in the Balkans and the old eastern block.
Prior to our arrival, there had been some horrible shootings in Serbia. A student shot and killed eight of their fellow students and a guard, something that had never been done in Serbian history and was unfathomable. The next day, a 20-year old open shot in two villages killing eight more people. When we checked into our hotel, the host shared with us that there is such a beautiful view of the city off the balcony (which there was!), but that the twinkling lights won’t be on because the country is in mourning. Almost two weeks after the shooting, the country was still grieving the loss of these people – wow.
Coming from a country where “thoughts and prayers” are all that leaders provide and with how quickly it seems we move on (likely because there was another shooting), it was a relief to see the immediate action that Serbians were taking. And especially how serious they took this incident. There had already been one protest for increase in gun safety and regulations. The country responded immediately, opening gun collection sites and for X-amount of days you could bring your guns with no questions asked and turn them in. It had a huge response, people could bring their older family guns or even illegal military weapons without any repercussions. They gathered a huge amount of the guns in the country.
Meanwhile, they held the funeral for the seven children, and it turns out that the president wasn’t in attendance. The day after we were scheduled to leave Beograd there was going to be another large protest, continuing to demand safety for the citizens as well as to protest their disappointment with their president not attending the funeral. He had gone to Queen Elizabeth’s funeral, someone in which the country has no ties to – but he did not attend the funeral of the first gun massacre in their country. People were absolutely outraged. As they should be! And since we’ve left there’s been a third protest – demanding that senior officials resign. Just leave, get out. Not only that but they’re also protesting two TV networks that they say are promoting violence and glorifying crime figures. Amazing!
Coming from a country that has so little interest in protecting its citizens, especially the children of the country, I felt emotional the whole time we were in Serbia. That the humanity in the rest of the world is far superior to the one we’re living in the US. Where citizens join together to raise their voices, like in Paris and now in Beograd, because they feel safe enough to do and even that seems unbelievable to me. I don’t even feel safe pushing publish on this post knowing how aggressive people can be. Where the leaders of a democracy actually listen to the people, wow. Could you imagine living in a world like that?
And don’t get me wrong – there are still the doomsday preppers in Serbia. Who roll their eyes at the people who returned their guns, saying they’re Sheeple, that they’ve given up their protection. But there are also people who have many guns in their home, after your year of required military service, you typically leave with 2 – 3 guns. But the military will set up the gun box, show you how you are allowed to store them and there are random checks. If they come for a random check and the bullets are in the chamber – immediate prison. If the full gun is assembled, prison for decades to life.
The lax rules in the US and the constant gun violence should make you sick and infuriated. It should make you want to stand up and protest. The way we are currently living should leave you in fear. I know it does us.
When we departed for this trip there were so many questions about how we were going to stay safe, or well wishes to “be safe”. As we come to the end of the trip, it is fair to say that we are far more worried about returning to the US than visiting any of the countries we have gone to around the world. I’m so sad for America and disappointed in its leaders as well as fellow citizens who think they need guns to protect themselves. If you want a gun to go hunting, why not be like New Zealand and gather those animals to be farmed? If you want a gun to protect yourself, why not be like the Dutch – if no one has a gun then why do you need to protect yourself? Like the Minnesota State Fair! Why on earth would you need a gun at a state fair? They didn’t see a reason either, so they left the metal detectors up.
If you think you need a gun, but there are small children in your life, maybe just think about how hypocritical you are being. If you think those children would never take your gun, or that you’re a responsible gun owner – that likely puts you in the same line of thinking with parents, friends, etc of previous shooters. Uncomfortable to hear? Then maybe just take a second as to why it makes you feel that way.
I have changed in many ways on this trip, I’ve learned so much about everything around and inside me. But at this point, I have no patience for anyone interested in standing firm on the belief that they need a gun for protection. 😊
That’s all. Serbia was a dream, Beograd (which means White-city, and Belgrade means nothing) was an artists haven full of inspiring spaces and people. If I were to open a countryside bed and breakfast, it’d be here. Nestled amongst like-minded people who demand safety for its citizens.
Now, here are some pictures from our drizzly, delicious visit.
