Really, how bad is it in Serbia?

[andvruss]

Is it bad enough to warrant canceling a 6 day trip in Serbia, 3 in Belgrade?

That is what my orchestra, Ottawa Youth Orchestra just decided to do. We were going on a Europe trip for 12 days, to sightsee, perform concerts, etc. We were scheduled to goto Belgrade, Novi Sad, Budapest, and Vienna. I was REALLY excited to go to Belgrade; its a part of Europe not too often seen or popular to tourists. Now I know that the American embassy was torched and others attacked, but however the Serbian government has, and must, crack down on these violent mobs. Is canceling trips to Belgrade and Serbia actually very warranted, ie. attacks on Westerners are imment/on-going and that safety would be a big problem? I seem to think not, and am very disappointed that this trip has been changed but is the situation actually that bad there?

 

[Godwynn]

I missed you andvruss! How's the German coming along?

 

[andvruss]

Hey Godwynn . Actually, I have quite fluent now in German, but was better around 5 months ago when I was still in Germany. My exchange was awesome, got to travel around alot too, but didnt make it to eastern Europe, hence my disappointment in being unable to goto Belgrade now .

 

[Slobadog]

As a Serbian all i can say is it depends, are you a supporter of the outragous notion of Kosovo deserving independence?

 

[BasketCase]

Is it bad enough to warrant canceling a 6 day trip in Serbia, 3 in Belgrade?

If you end up dead--yes.

The world is gigantic, and you will never see the whole thing. So you missed this one part--don't worry about it. If some protester heaves a brick at you, hits you in the head and kills you, that's 2,183 places you won't get to see and 47 women you won't get to have sex with.

Give it a few years to cooldown and visit it some other time if you really want to.

 

[andvruss]

As a Serbian all i can say is it depends, are you a supporter of the outragous notion of Kosovo deserving independence?

If I said yes, would my life and the lives of my other orchestra members from Canada be in danger?

 

[Godwynn]

Hey Godwynn . Actually, I have quite fluent now in German, but was better around 5 months ago when I was still in Germany. My exchange was awesome, got to travel around alot too, but didnt make it to eastern Europe, hence my disappointment in being unable to goto Belgrade now .

Not to get off track here, but I decided to teach myself the German language. Did you go over there for school or on your own? A language academy? Do most young people speak English as well? How long have you studied die Deutsche Sprache?

Thanks ahead of time!

/ot

 

[Slobadog]

If I said yes, would my life and the lives of my other orchestra members from Canada be in danger?

No but you might find yourselves running thorugh the streets without any clothes.
We'll probably keep your wallet too.

 

[Slobadog]

Sorry bad joke. Even i don't find it funny anymore.
I'm not even Serbian.


I want to part of a ethinic group thats always in the news.

 

[emzie]

It sounds like more a measure to pacify worrying parents than a necessary precaution.

 

[andvruss]

Not to get off track here, but I decided to teach myself the German language. Did you go over there for school or on your own? A language academy? Do most young people speak English as well? How long have you studied die Deutsche Sprache?

Thanks ahead of time!

/ot

/ot
I went on a student exchange, so I stayed with 2 guest families...that was interesting . I took 3 language classes after-school in Munich, so I got off school at 12:20 (40 minutes early) to take the S-bahn to Munich and to the 4 hour, 5 days a week language class. I went with Rotary, so they actually paid for them (I think). My situation there was confusingish, with my guest family paying for somethings, me others, and Rotary other things. Didn't really learn too much German in school, was really lost in school . However, most Germans speak veryyy good English and good French, so I had a hard time persuading them to speak German t ome so I could learn it.

It was a very different experience for me than other exchange students who go it alone I think. I went on a 3 week long tour of Germany with 40 other exchange students from all over the world, and that really made it. That was in April, and after that, we hung out so much, went all over the place thanks to an amazing train network, and just had a great time and learned so much. Friends make an exchange truly great, and even though my 'best' friends were from Finland, Taiwan, Brazil, Japan, and Argentina. So i would definately recommend doing an exchange . /ot

 

[andvruss]

No but you might find yourselves running thorugh the streets without any clothes.
We'll probably keep your wallet too.

I believe that would be Rome

 

[Ansar]

/ot
However, most Germans speak veryyy good English and good French, so I had a hard time persuading them to speak German t ome so I could learn it.

/ot

lol, I always hear the opposite (that Germans in general don't know much English).

Good to know the opposite is actually true!

 

[Swedishguy]

I don't know about you, but I wouldn't want to go to vacation there.

 

[aronnax]

But Belgrade is a wonderful city to go to! Dont cancel the trip, but just be a little more careful

 

[Gelion]

andvruss, why do you have a Russian flag as an avatar? If you're Russian, I would not worry too much about "trouble" in Serbia.

 

[Virote_Considon]

Just don't go wondering around with large "KOSOVO NOW" T-shirts, and you'll be fine.

 

[Gooblah]

Nice...

Avoid saying anything about your nationality. If all else fails, speak French. Canada is one of the nations that has recognized Kosovo. I don't believe the angry mobs will harm actual citizens, only symbols of the government, but I've never been there.

 

[Bill3000]

SERBIA RULES, SUCKER!

 

[Thorbal]

/ot

lol, I always hear the opposite (that Germans in general don't know much English).

Good to know the opposite is actually true!

Both statements are true in a way ^^ .
Germans older than ~40 mostly don´t really speak English very well, if at all. Everyone younger does quite a good job, but is so proud of his English skillz that they sometimes just won´t shut up . Seems like a kind of minority complex to me. Reminds me of all the German tourists going abroad and pretending to be Austrian or Swiss .