Welcome to Postcards from Bosnia
This morning, as I wandered through our small apple orchard here in Čardačani, I noticed apples scattered on the ground. Maybe it’s the heat, already 29 degrees and climbing to 32 today, but it got me thinking about change and cycles.
As a sleek cyclist sped past, dressed head-to-toe in gear, it reminded me how life moves at different paces for everyone.
Why the Name Change?
After a lot of thought (and some gentle nudging from Tamara, my wife and biggest supporter), I’ve decided to rename my podcast from A Baby Boomer in Bosnia to Postcards from Bosnia.
Tamara wisely pointed out that focusing on age might limit the audience. She encouraged me to share these stories more broadly, to anyone curious about life in Bosnia and Herzegovina beyond the guidebooks.
I also ran a poll among my Substack subscribers, and the feedback was clear. It’s time to shift focus.
Friends like Christian Payne echoed this, reminding me that age is just a number and that I should write for anyone eager to connect, not just my own generation.
Reflections from Haarlem
This change coincided with a refreshing trip to Haarlem in the Netherlands to visit my sister and brother-in-law. We traveled by bus from Banja Luka to Zagreb, flew to Amsterdam, and then took a local bus to Haarlem.
For Tamara, it was her first time in the Netherlands, and she loved it.
Haarlem felt like a perfect alternative to the bustle of Amsterdam.
Full of beautiful old houses leaning gently after centuries on stilts, friendly people, and charming canals.
We even took a short trip to Zandvoort to see the North Sea, a place close to my heart as a Brit. While I expected to feel waves of nostalgia, I was surprised to find no deep emotional tug.
It reinforced my feeling of being an “in-betweener”. Not fully British anymore, yet not completely Bosnian either.
Shifting Focus and Finding Balance
On this trip (and many benches overlooking Haarlem’s river), Tamara and I talked a lot about life, simplicity, and people-watching. It made me realise the importance of slowing down, being present, and sharing these observations without overcomplicating things.
I’m also working on reducing my reliance on social media, moving more activities to my desktop and trying to keep my phone use minimal. If you have tips on this, I’d love to hear from you!
Let’s Keep the Conversation Going
Postcards from Bosnia is now part of my main Substack publication, Coffee and Rakija, and will feature updates on daily life, travels, and reflections from the Balkans.
I’m keen to hear your thoughts on how often you’d like to receive these audio postcards. Whether short daily updates or a deeper weekly story.
Thank you for being part of this journey. Your feedback, emails, and support mean the world.
Feel free to drop me a line anytime.
Until next time, stay safe, keep curious, and as we say here, Vidimo se opet (see you again soon).
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