Sarajevo

The siege was 31 years ago. WW2 was 79 years ago and WW1 ended 108 years ago. The country has historically been a melting pot of cultures and religions. There are still four major religious edifices; Orthodox, Catholic, Muslim and Jewish. However, underlying ethnic differences between Bosniaks, Serbs and Croats remain strong and divided while appearing unified at the surface. Politically it is a mess.

It's not hard to imagine that another conflict could break out again. BiH is a country but 40% of it is the Republic of Srpska, a Serb autonomously administered inholding with its own police, etc. So far the country is operating peacefully, even outside investments from USA and Europe are coming in. The Serbs and Croats are putting a lot of pressure on the Bosniaks.

I take a walking tour in the morning and visit another museum in the afternoon. I also listen to some history podcasts. A much more complicated picture emerges. The siege off 1991-95 is a horrific event, how can humans go so wrong, not to mention the multiple genocides, not just Screbenica. The human mind is truly twisted. 200 Sarajevo roses in the streets are a stark reminder.

This is a city where East meets West, Ottoman and Austro Hungarian most recently and it reflects in the architecture. This is where WW1 was ignited by a discontent Serb, but the back story is rather more involved.

Great guide, great tour it just brings the city to life.

Carmen ballet tonight, followed by a worldcup football match between CH and Qatar.Read more