Good wind, white bird!
On the afternoon of July 18, the girls and I kissed Husband goodbye and waved to him from the escalator leading to the security area. Our long-awaited trip to Serbia commenced with the buzzing of the metal detectors and bare feet impatiently following each other in the long line approaching gates. But nothing could diminish our excitement as the moment of take-off crept nearer and nearer.
LAX, waiting to depart
The transatlantic flight from Los Angeles to Belgrade via London was pretty uneventful and surprisingly pleasant, even with bland airplane food, recycled air, and the inevitable rude antics of a few inconsiderate passengers. I enjoyed a glass of red wine with my meal hoping in vain for a couple hours of sleep. Instead of the snoozing, I watched three brand new movies just to taunt Husband who will have to see them alone (not that he’ll complain as I have to comment, analyze, and guess the ending throughout every flick we watch while he sits there as if in church wishing I’d be quiet).
Airport ennui
The girls crashed on the last leg of the trip and when we landed at Belgrade’s Nikola Tesla airport around noon the next day, they were disoriented, drowsy, and tired. Our suitcases arrived unscathed for a change, with all the wheels and handles intact. We cleared customs and entered the waiting area. I felt a pang when I saw the white cardboard sign with my name on it, even though I knew that this time Father would not be the one to drive us home. Instead I met Bosa, our family’s friend and a taxi driver, who piled us comfortably into her old Audi and drove off towards my home town a few hours southwest of Serbia’s capital.
While the girls fell asleep in each other’s laps, Bosa and I talked all the way home, which seemed much longer than usual. Not for the company, but because I yearned to see my street, hug Mother, and have a drink with Father. We drove, seemingly following the sun as it descended behind the hills. I welcomed the heat and stretched my arm through the window hoping to catch a handful of Serbian air. I breathed in the smell of burning grass and leaves touched by summer’s fiery hand, drinking in the scenery as the car rolled down the road meandering away from the rush of urban Belgrade.
Three-hour ride
We entered the city limits as the night, dragging its pink and orange feet, began to ink over the daylight details of my hometown, and droves of young people filled the streets on their way to the city center. I am always taken aback by the sight of slender, tan, long-legged girls that seem to flourish so well on Serbian soil. This time was no exception and I smiled as the old Audi took a last left turn and parked underneath the linden tree in front of our family house.
My girls perked up as soon as I opened the door, and my brother’s two sons picked them up in a bear embrace on the sidewalk. I inhaled the smell of my town’s summer night, and for a second felt the call of the past as the years magically disappeared. I had boarded the plane after working for five days, packing, and organizing the house, and I was tired. The lack of sleep made my eyes sting, and thirteen hours cramped up in a small space made my whole body ache. But I felt alive as my soul sang I am home!
Home!
Lana,
Your words made me cry. How lovely, and so HAPPY for you and the girls. xoxox
Lana,
What a beautiful country! Look forward to hearing more about your trip.
[K]
Koja divota, bas ti zavidim. Ja moram cekati jos mjesec+ …..a kcerke su ti bas slatke, samo sam ja nekako mislila da su starije:)!
Dobrodošle!!!
Sve si lepo opisala, naravno susret sa rodbinom bio je vrlo dirljiv i tako si ga i opisala – suzice, suzice, po koja se našla u mom oku:) Pozdrav
Lana, Beautiful photos! Such a lovely town you come from. Enjoy your visit!!
Have a lovely vacation! Serbia is a place which I’d love to visit. Lovely clicks.
Cheers,
Rosa
There is no place like home!
What a wonderful post ! I love to read about travel experiences. Then I bookmark them for future trips I have on my wishlist. Thanks for sharing.
Now you’ve left me hanging! Can’t wait to read more about Serbia! 21 years ago I spent the night in the Belgrade airport, waiting for a morning flight to Skopje.
Oh I can understand the feeling very well, driving down the old street!! I am waiting to see more pictures
Have a great time!
Great post Lana. So well expressed. Your girls are gorgeous!!!! And so is the country. How is your mom???
Draga Lana, dobro došla, baš mi je drago. Znam kako ti je srce moralo igrati od uzbuđenja kako ste se približavali mjestu tvog djetinjstva, tvog odrastanja. Kako je neobično što kažeš “povratak kući, doma sam”. Ne znam, većina mojih prijatelja svoju novu sredinu, sredinu u kojoj su osnovali svoje obitelji smatraju domom. Kada dođu u Sarajevo, gdje su odrasli, gdje su im roditelji, došli su u goste i kada idu nazad kažu da idu kući.
Djevojke su vrlo slatke, ljepojke.
I hope the linden tree saved some of its fragrance to greet you… GREG
Oh I have been waiting with anticipation to read this post. I’ve been following your preparation and I’m so glad to find you arrived safely and had the opportunity to be back in the arms of your loved ones.
I’m sorry about your mother. I hope and pray that things turn out well. I’m glad you were able to get there and spend time with them and connect with family in person. There truly is no place like home. Your country is so beautiful!
Lana,
What a beautiful country!!! I am SO glad that you are sharing your trip with us – there truly is nothing better than going home!!
Lana, I love this! I always love reading your stories. What a beautiful home you come from, and what gorgeous girls you have. xoxo
I have only felt this way about places I didn’t grow up, isn’t that strange? I feel this way about New Orleans and Vienna, and somehow I have a left a part of myself in those cities and I only get it back when I am there. Which means I can never have my whole heart at once. Beautiful post.