shants and murses

some friends--all three support the Murses..

Shants and murses?! Yes, I did just say shants and murses--both of them are very common in Europe. As to what they are, I will tell you: Shant = shorts + pants...basically, man capris. Murse = man + purse...a man cross-body purse.

Week 7 flew by with lots of walking, joy, and laughter...not too shabby.

Some highlights of the week:

• Tuesday night at American Corner we talked about "Love" and just wanted to know how they viewed love between marriages, friendships, dating, family, etc. It was awesome! A good size of new people attended and were open to discussion. One sassy woman asked if there was a such thing as everlasting love..and a guy answered "yes, it is Agape love!" Bet and I were completely taken back by his statement considering that term is taught to people..and not taught in the Orthodox church. We ended the night with 1 Corinthians 13 and they seemingly listened intently and some inquired about a copy of the Bible..so exciting!!

• Thursday we got to watch 3 matches apart of the 2011 European Championship Serbian Masters volleyball tournament and got toasted outside. American Corner was good again--some more new folks. It was about fears but we ended up on animals a lot! I did not mention my distaste for lizards nor birds!!!

• Friday was Bet's birthday! whoop whoop 2-1!! We were able to go with some friends with their Serbian language class to Belgrade to tour Tito's winter home, a few museums, the Royal family's home, and the White Palace. The royal family is no longer the dynasty in control since it is a republic in the making but a legit home still. The bottom floor is like a man cave--pool, poker, the 1st private movie screen room in the Balkans, and a cool room where the secrets were discussed!! And....you weren't supposed to take pictures......but I used my skills and got a few of the exterior of the home and some inside the White Palace---I got to be in the same rooms where Milosevic worked in his library and resigned!! I was able to snap a picture of the fireplace his stated his resignation and defeat!!!!!!! HISTORY HISTORY HISTORY!  
• Afterwards, we did get a reality check into how impoverished the Romas are...we passed by a massive village of them..over 2,000 Romas right by some really expensive apartments. The law here is that if the government was to take away 'their home' then housing, education, etc. would have to provided for them at the government's expense. Thus, they allow them to live without running water, without insulation, without food!

a small section of the Roma village

one of their homes

For the rest of the weekend, I think I just laughed, joked, and had great fellowship with some fabulous friends. The week ended with international church and good desserts and made it back to Novi Sad in time for the championship volleyball game. All around a great week seven! However, I did nearly possibly maybe more than likely could have burned down the whole apartment building: part of our power went out Wednesday night including the stove top. I accidentally forgot to turn the eye all the way off and left the skillet on the eye over the weekend. Sunday when we got back, I see that the light was on and that the pan was smoking white!!  YIKES!!! Still a great weekend!