The Sunday Sip.
A Weekly Brew from Coffee and Rakija.
I’m David. The Sunday Sip, is a weekly newsletter about my life and experiences in a rural village in North-West Bosnia and Herzegovina. I’ll be giving you a unique look, through the eyes of an immigrant (me), of this much misunderstood country. My goal is to replace the many negative perceptions of both the country and its people, that you’ll be served by international media outlets. Thank you so much for dropping by.
The Update.
Hello and welcome to this renamed weekly newsletter. I really thought that it was time for a bit of a refresh. What do you think?
I am still based here in Maplewood, New Jersey, visiting my youngest daughter and her family.
Despite some odd messages (via my YouTube channel) questioning my trip to the US, I don't concern myself with politics. Family always comes first for me.
I try to understand why people have such polarising views of our chaotic world, but, at my age, I am beyond letting stress destroy the decade I or so I have left.
If you’re interested in supporting me but not through a paid Substack Subscription, Check out Buy Me a Coffee or Patreon.
I arrived here last week, and while the trip has been tiring due to jet lag and the biting cold, there has been a lot to enjoy. Maplewood is very different from Bosnia. Wide streets, large cars, the prices in stores (expensive!), and the wide variety of food available from restaurants.
I’m thinking about making a video comparing local stores in Bosnia with those here. Filming in public still makes me a bit anxious, but it's something I might pursue. Maplewood by the way is full of people with higher education and well off, so it seems like a community of well-off and clever individuals.
As much as I like visiting, I am starting to miss Bosnia. It might be my age, but the comforts of home, call even after just a short while away. For now though, I'm soaking in everything, even stopping to admire the North American trains that pass through Maplewood station.
The Birds in the Garden!
I use the Merlin App by Cornell Lab, on my phone, that identifies birds from their calls. I wasn’t able to take my own images, so these are screenshots I took from the app. These birds frequent my daughters garden. Stunning.
The Food
Last Monday I cooked a simple meal for everyone.
I wanted or at least tried to make something different for them.
I chose “Tepsi Kebab”.
A bit ambitious for me I must admit (although I am told it’s easier than falling off a log”.
Full Transparency Tamara sent some advice via this TikTok video.
Tiktok failed to load.Enable 3rd party cookies or use another browser
The family loved it. Everything was eaten, so I must have done alright.
The Video.
My Thoughts on Differences Between Bosnia and the United States
From the Blog
I brought Priglavci with me to keep my feet toasty warm in these freezing temperatures, that we are experiencing at the moment.
Click on the image to find out all about these amazing slippers.
From the Podcast
Bosnia and Herzegovina is home to a rich tapestry of stories, many of which are still undiscovered even by those who live in the country. In this episode of the podcast, I delve into the extraordinary connection between Ladino and Sevdah music, and how a Jewish prayer sparked a musical journey that resonates deeply with the soul of this nation.
Thank You for Being Here
If you’ve read this far, thank you. Your support means the world to me, whether it’s a comment, a subscription, or just taking the time to read what I share.
If you’re interested in supporting me but not through a paid Substack Subscription, Check out Buy Me a Coffee or Patreon.
And, I’d be thrilled if you’d check out my recently launched YouTube channel. It’s not about chasing numbers anymore; it’s about connecting with people who get it, who understand the joys and challenges of this phase of life, that I find myself in (over 70).
Until next week.
Videmo se opet (I’ll see you again soon).
David.
The big difference from my perspective is that we in the US keep paying real estate taxes forever.
Hi David: My cousin’s wife is from upstate New Jersey. Wish I can remember the name of the town. Big house on a big country plot of land. They had their wedding at one of the Mohawk banquet halls in the Mohawk or Finger’s Lake(?) area 20 years ago. Anyways, just wanted to say the coffee looks good, and the 2 “mickie’s” of rakija I bought in Sarajevo were Lozovaca 45 (from Subotica)(green label with a picture of green grapes ), and DV VP Lozovaca 38% (Dalmacijavino BH from Siroki Brijeg). I can only have a little bit now, after having been rushed to the hospital for dizziness and atrial fibrillation. Cheers.