Serbia and Montenegro

This quick trip to Serbia, turned out to be longer then what I had intended.

After missing the coach to London , and then the flight to Belgrade, I was able to see my failings and shortcomings, big time.  Needless to say my team members arrived on time. I had to buy another flight out to Budapest in Hungary, and then catch a train, to get to Belgrade in Serbia. I ashamedly arrived in Belgrade on Thursday 5th October, instead of  the 3rd. I had come on a 10 hour train journey from Budapest to Belgrade, and then on to Podgeritza, in Montenegro, which took 8 hours....... whoooooooshh..I arrived whacked. Thank goodness for understanding friends, they love me, so they forgave me, after I had apologised 70 times.

Now ……….. Montenegro, has just become independent from Serbia - about 2 months ago. The political situation is still very uncertain, as the President has resigned, and the new President is still not completely in power yet. The country is so amazingly beautiful. Mountains that reach the heavens, and valleys and fiords that are of out standing beauty.

We went as a team. There was Thelma from Wales, and Rose from Essex, and Dragan from Montenegro. We went to see the people of 4 Cities. Podgeritza, Budva, Centeni, and Kotor.  We were met by Dragan,  our dear friend of many years, who introduced us to the local people, and the Church authorities. Our aim was to get to know the people, their language, and their needs. To assess the social situations in the villages, and to befriend the people. We want them to get to know us, and to build up a relationship, built on mutual trust.  Every where we went, the people loved us, and asked us to not only to return, but to stay for a longer period of time. They want us to teach them English, also they want to know more about the English culture.....well. we must dispel all the negative English attitudes, and promote only that which is beneficial and positive. I think we achieved that. We took out some Levi jeans, t-shirts, shoes, and our very English, Thelma....., this was the best representation of England. 

Although I missed 2 days on this trip, it was more then made up for, for all the things we saw, and all the people we met. Montenegro, is truly on our list for the future, along with Serbia.

 The work with the children in Serbia, is still on going, and they are being taught by Sally, and her team. The school is progressing to higher levels, and the children are becoming more motivated to know that they can achieve great things, regardless of their status,( or lack of it), no matter who they are. The World is truly THEIR Oyster............and they are truly, our PEARLS.

all the best  from Montenegro

 Melanie