Summer swimming in Doboj Istok
Tuzla
More to come later!!
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Monday, August 1, 2011
bless the continual stutter of the word being made into flesh
Today was the first day of Ramadan. Although, I do not practice Islam, I decided that I was going to take part in the holiday and dedicate at least two weeks of fasting for the sake of solidarity and general curiosity to see what it would be like for others who have the discipline and humility to make such a sacrifice each year. I really respect any spiritual practice that values discipline and mindfulness. I guess I just have never really witnessed anyone take an extended period of fasting seriously. I hope that in dedicating these two weeks I can gain something such as personal strength or perseverance from the experience. Sure, it's only two weeks, but I know some who have a hard time waiting in between meals. :)
For me, food is entirely communal. There is nothing like cooking a big dinner for a group of friends or family. The whole process of preparation and dining resembles some sort of sacred ritual. I don't think it is irreverent in the least to say that. I remember when I lived alone, I hardly ever cooked for myself. I would cook two large dishes and alternate eating the leftovers throughout the week. Food was for nutrition, to stop my stomach from growling and my hands from shaking. With the exception of going out to eat with a friend, or a rushed snack between classes, I used to have a pretty boring food life living alone. This is part of the reason why I look forward to returning to my new house I moved into shortly before I left for Bosnia, because I am living with two really awesome ladies that share my appreciation for potlucks and dinner nights.
Not just because of Ramadan have I been paying attention more to this idea of the sacredness of food. It is also because (excuse me, mother, but it is not reflecting any error on your part, only that I was a picky child) I have never eaten this well in my life! I will use the word "well" with hesitation for some of the dishes I have had were so high in fat content and oil that I can't say they were the most healthiest of choices, but they were certainly delicious! I made my mind up before I came here that I would say yes to everything that was put in front of me. Be an Anthony Bourdain of Bosnia! Being that I considered myself a vegetarian for 4 years or so, I chose to forgo the dietary dichotomies and be open minded. Judge if you will or will not, but I am very open about discussing my intial and existing reasons for a predominantly vegetarian/vegan diet that I intend on returning to when I return to the States. Suffice to say that things are just different here...and when in Rome...
And where is here? I almost forgot that it has been centuries since I last posted something on here. Currently, I am in Doboj Istok, a small village outside of Doboj in the northeastern part of Bosnia. I love it here. This is where IFS-Emmaus has their reception center Duje for vulnerable populations and victims of human trafficking that was my initial interesting that drew me here. It is always a bittersweet experience whenever I stay for any period of time at the shelter for the victims. I don't ever feel entirely comfortable there, even if I am dancing and playing games with the young girls. However, I know that all I can be is myself and I think I can do that fairly well! I am just trying to be an open vessel for information and experiences here. I recognize that I don't have extensive knowledge of human rights law, a psychology background, or anything such as that, but I know that I have genuine interest and passion for learning more about the projects that are going on here with IFS-Emmaus and I think that counts for something.
I have been getting to know a lot of the awesome people who work for IFS here in Doboj as well as reuniting with some friends from the camp in Srebrenica. However, for the most part, I am just really grateful for the accommodations that I have been given here. I have my own room and bathroom, which is wonderful. I have been able to do yoga and meditation. I like having my own space for reflection and chill time, something that I really missed in the camp. I am just trying to take advantage of this time I have. I feel like I always should devote more time to my Bosnian language study and today an incident at the store really left me sore and embarrassed. It was something as simple as lacking the vocabulary to be able to communicate, but for me, it was super frustrating and humiliating because there were a line of people in a store waiting on me to convey a coherent conversation to a sales clerk in Bosnian. For me, it was really stressful! However, I realize that I can't expect myself to be able to know everything, and next time I should be better prepared. I used this experience as a motivator to study more and if anything, it was just more practice. I tried not to mind that although I couldn't understand the question the clerk was asking, I could understand what everyone else was saying about me in line as far as their grumbles about a foreigner and not wanting to wait. It reminded me of a scenario in some small town in America, really. Now, I know how it feels!
I also decided to extend my ticket for a couple extra weeks here stay a little longer to do some traveling and have some downtime for myself. I have been working at the center doing translations my first week here for the IFS website. I really enjoyed it, and I think it is helping improve my Bosnian for sure..Although, I do really hate having to look up a word or ask someone every five minutes if something is correct! I'm sure it gets obnoxious.
It has been a super challenging first two weeks week in Doboj. I think this is because I relied more on my friends who could speak English more than I thought in the camp. However, I know its good for me, and I am looking forward to all the challenges that I will confront in the weeks to follow, including language, with optimism and confidence.
Below are some photos from the camp in Potocari (Srebrenica) and toward the end are the ones from Doboj. Enjoy!
For me, food is entirely communal. There is nothing like cooking a big dinner for a group of friends or family. The whole process of preparation and dining resembles some sort of sacred ritual. I don't think it is irreverent in the least to say that. I remember when I lived alone, I hardly ever cooked for myself. I would cook two large dishes and alternate eating the leftovers throughout the week. Food was for nutrition, to stop my stomach from growling and my hands from shaking. With the exception of going out to eat with a friend, or a rushed snack between classes, I used to have a pretty boring food life living alone. This is part of the reason why I look forward to returning to my new house I moved into shortly before I left for Bosnia, because I am living with two really awesome ladies that share my appreciation for potlucks and dinner nights.
Not just because of Ramadan have I been paying attention more to this idea of the sacredness of food. It is also because (excuse me, mother, but it is not reflecting any error on your part, only that I was a picky child) I have never eaten this well in my life! I will use the word "well" with hesitation for some of the dishes I have had were so high in fat content and oil that I can't say they were the most healthiest of choices, but they were certainly delicious! I made my mind up before I came here that I would say yes to everything that was put in front of me. Be an Anthony Bourdain of Bosnia! Being that I considered myself a vegetarian for 4 years or so, I chose to forgo the dietary dichotomies and be open minded. Judge if you will or will not, but I am very open about discussing my intial and existing reasons for a predominantly vegetarian/vegan diet that I intend on returning to when I return to the States. Suffice to say that things are just different here...and when in Rome...
And where is here? I almost forgot that it has been centuries since I last posted something on here. Currently, I am in Doboj Istok, a small village outside of Doboj in the northeastern part of Bosnia. I love it here. This is where IFS-Emmaus has their reception center Duje for vulnerable populations and victims of human trafficking that was my initial interesting that drew me here. It is always a bittersweet experience whenever I stay for any period of time at the shelter for the victims. I don't ever feel entirely comfortable there, even if I am dancing and playing games with the young girls. However, I know that all I can be is myself and I think I can do that fairly well! I am just trying to be an open vessel for information and experiences here. I recognize that I don't have extensive knowledge of human rights law, a psychology background, or anything such as that, but I know that I have genuine interest and passion for learning more about the projects that are going on here with IFS-Emmaus and I think that counts for something.
I have been getting to know a lot of the awesome people who work for IFS here in Doboj as well as reuniting with some friends from the camp in Srebrenica. However, for the most part, I am just really grateful for the accommodations that I have been given here. I have my own room and bathroom, which is wonderful. I have been able to do yoga and meditation. I like having my own space for reflection and chill time, something that I really missed in the camp. I am just trying to take advantage of this time I have. I feel like I always should devote more time to my Bosnian language study and today an incident at the store really left me sore and embarrassed. It was something as simple as lacking the vocabulary to be able to communicate, but for me, it was super frustrating and humiliating because there were a line of people in a store waiting on me to convey a coherent conversation to a sales clerk in Bosnian. For me, it was really stressful! However, I realize that I can't expect myself to be able to know everything, and next time I should be better prepared. I used this experience as a motivator to study more and if anything, it was just more practice. I tried not to mind that although I couldn't understand the question the clerk was asking, I could understand what everyone else was saying about me in line as far as their grumbles about a foreigner and not wanting to wait. It reminded me of a scenario in some small town in America, really. Now, I know how it feels!
I also decided to extend my ticket for a couple extra weeks here stay a little longer to do some traveling and have some downtime for myself. I have been working at the center doing translations my first week here for the IFS website. I really enjoyed it, and I think it is helping improve my Bosnian for sure..Although, I do really hate having to look up a word or ask someone every five minutes if something is correct! I'm sure it gets obnoxious.
It has been a super challenging first two weeks week in Doboj. I think this is because I relied more on my friends who could speak English more than I thought in the camp. However, I know its good for me, and I am looking forward to all the challenges that I will confront in the weeks to follow, including language, with optimism and confidence.
Below are some photos from the camp in Potocari (Srebrenica) and toward the end are the ones from Doboj. Enjoy!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)