Kod doktora - Visiting the Doctors
I had to visit the doctor because of a stomach issue. Nothing serious as such, but I have to say, again, that in my opinion, the healthcare system works well here. At least in the part of the country
David writes,
Hello and welcome to this weeks newsletter from Bosnia and Herzegovina.
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God, I could bore for the world, about the crazy weather we (and maybe you too), are experiencing at the moment.
Why, as a matter of fact, do Brits ALWAYS include the weather in their conversations?
Thanks.
Thanks to Martin and Radovan for getting in touch this week.
Martin found this on the web.
The year I was born. Wow!
This past week has been pretty slow to be honest.
I have had to see the doctor (more below). One of our favourite cats has been very ill and has required some treatment (thanks to our wonderful Vets who actually do house calls). A close relative back in the UK has passed, and travelling back is, well, not ideal at the moment. So stresses all around.
When roaming around the internet there is a perception that we all have these exciting things we do almost everyday. And that’s not true (OK, there are a very very few exceptions).
But, as we know, its rarely like that.
I suppose the military analogy of combat rings true here:
”Long periods of Boredom followed by short periods of Intense Fear.”
I (we), try to stay as real as possible with the content we create and the words we publish.
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Off to the Doctors.
I had to visit the doctor because of a stomach issue.
Nothing serious as such, but I have to say, again, that in my opinion, the healthcare system works well here. At least in the part of the country where I live.
All the tests required conducted with state of the art equipment and professionally executed.
Don't get me wrong, it's not perfect here, but where in the world is?
Maybe I am lucky.
I know though that it's not because I am a foreigner.
I get free treatment like most of the population.
I do pay into the local health scheme.
Life is getting Back to Normal - Korak po Korak
Events are slowly opening again in Banja Luka.
Mladen Tomić, Banja Luka’s own International DJ, says “After a 9 month break, I’m playing an afternoon set in front of real people, outside in this beautiful nature!
It’s still not a normal event and it’s still under limitations, but I am happy anyway”.
We interviewed Mladen some time ago. Check out our Podcast:
Making New Friends.
I have written before about how amazed I am, almost on a weekly basis, to find more and more foreigners like me, who have settled here in the country. I have to say though, that most are married to locals or at least in a long term relationship. These two criteria allow for residency permission and the chance to take citizenship in the future.
I also think a foreigner can get residency through property purchase but I can’t be definite on that.
Anyway.
This past week I finally caught up with Denise from Argentina who lives in Banja Luka. We discussed life as foreigners here and also possible future collaborations in the Digital Space. Denise has her own YouTube channel but also has a very dynamic Instagram account.
Denise is as passionate as me about showing the world what Bosnia and Herzegovina has to offer. I do that in English and she’s doing it in Spanish.
Denise will be appearing on our next episode of the Living in Bosnia and Herzegovina Podcast in the not too distant future. Watch out for that and future Anglo-Argentinian collaborations. Lots being planned.
Visiting Bosnia and Herzegovina.
As of this newsletter, Foreigners can enter the country with a valid PCR test or proof of full vaccination. No requirement for Quarantine or Self Isolation in that case.
Please conduct your own due diligence before travelling!
Restrictions are still in place and policed but are relaxed compared to some countries.
Check out more from Tomas Damjanović
Do You use YouTube? A Tip from me.
YouTube is the (at the moment) the second largest search engine after Google (who owns YouTube), but for many people now, the inclusion of ads everywhere and anywhere is getting too much.
The ads, for me in particular, have caused me to take a change in my approach to consuming video content on that platform.
Sometime ago I decided to take a 3 month trial of YouTube Premium. Premium offers you a totally ad free environment.
At the start it felt so weird to watch, but now I am a paid user. I enjoy my time watching videos without ANY interuptions.
The whole experience is different. It's so so refreshing.
I am not being paid to write this. It’s a TIP I would like to give you. For a small monthly sub, you could enjoy a better time online. Yes you pay, but maybe free stuff isn't always the best?
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Coming Soon
EUROPEAN WEEK of Cyclotourism, Banja Luka 2021
From the 3rd to 10th July 2021, cyclists from all over Europe will be welcomed in Banja Luka.
Every day 3 bike tours with a choice of more or less hilly routes, will allow cyclists to discover this part of Europe which is steeped in history and unknown to most cyclists. For non pedestrians, the programme of visits is focused exclusively on tourist sites and local crafts with French and English guides.
Would be great to know if you’ll be attending?
#AudioMo
#AudioMo is an audio challenge held during the month of June. It was started 10 years ago by Ernie Hartley, a good friend of ours, who has visited BiH in the past.
The aim is to record audio every day during the month and publish online using the hashtag #audiomo.
I participated for a good few years but life took over. This year will see me back alongside some interesting storytellers. Now the thing is this. You don’t have to be professional and you can record anything.
There are some people who just post “audioscapes” from where they are. Others document their daily life (as I will).
Equipment wise you just need the microphone that’s built into your mobile devise or tablet.
The community that comes together for #audiomo are most welcoming. You can post anywhere you like, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, anywhere. But try and share the link on Twitter for a fuller flavoured experience.
Ćevap Recipe.
As a result of requests about the mushroom casserole Tamara made and was featured in an earlier newsletter, we thought you might like this?
How about trying to make ćevap?
CLICK on the button above for the recipe.
That's our update from our village here in the north of Bosnia and Herzegovina for this week.
We hope you like our new way of creating our weekly newsletter.
We hope you'll continue to follow our adventures, and to engage with questions and comments.
We are always so excited when we receive them, AND, we reply to every single one.
PLEASE, do stay safe wherever you are.
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nice podcast ... good luck to the Argentine girl Denise and her Spanish blogging ... weather I think is a staple of most people(s) but when we specifically mention rain people will often mention the English .. but in my latter life experience I think all europe can be quite rainy and stormy .... with one exception SENNYBRIDGE IN SOUTH WALES (UK not Australia) which David will know about ... a vast training area which never failed to put you through your paces with matching miserable weather to boot. ... funny enough I am harbouring some stomach issue which is affecting sleep patterns and also funnily enough I have invested in a similar smart watch to yours albeit a Haylou LS05 and really like what it does ... .... we for info have phoned Dom Zdravla and asked about the vaccinations here in Livno... they have put us on a list and will call us both when we are to be vaccinated ..... some talk about ti bein the Sino version althogh Bisera's hairdresser told her that she received Pfizer .... maybe ad-hoc based on what shipments cross the threshhold at any given time ... All our regards to you David and Tamara ...
Brian i Bisera
Brits hate awkward silences and discussing the weather is a good conversation starter. Plus, with a mug of tea to hand this always precipitates a good moan, which usually, is about the weather! We do love a good moan too.