a view of Zagreb, capital of Croatia. This was a gorgeous city, with a fantastic four star hotel. A great start to the bus tour.
St. George's cathedral, also in Zagreb.
This is the view from the hotel in Osijek. This was a serious step down from the capital city; not only was it a 2-star hotel, but it was a valuable addition to our experiential learning - this was a soviet-era, concrete, dilapidated structure that oozed command economy "quality"... yuck. Notable highlights included the concrete balconies (below), and the leaky shower (complete with screw-holes where the shower-head holder used to be) that leaves the unfinished brick floor flooded after you use it.
Vukovar, about 20 minutes from Osijek. Our first introduction to a city that was destroyed in the fightning, and still hasn't been rebuilt. Buildings such as this are intentionally left behind as reminders of the violence. What a way to encourage reconcilliation =] Vukovar is a city on the border of Croatia and Serbia, where a Yugoslav National Army (JNA) (mostly serbian force) of 20,000-40,000 troops assaulted the 1750 defenders, and won at extraordinarily high costs (i.e., their entire tank force was demolished). The city was effectively levelled, but the cost the the JNA prevented them from being able to conquer much more territory.
Looking across the Danube from Vukovar, into Serbia on the opposite bank.
A cross at the confluence of the Vuka and Danube rivers.
A ferry that travels between Serbia and Croatia. Donated by the Dutch, it is used by both sides, but many people feel that it's 'too soon' to have that kind of contact across the border.
One side of the Vukovar water tower - not shelled for any functional reason, more of a symbolic thing.
and the other...
Sunset over Osijek.
Apartments in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH). Yes, those circles are where artillery damage has been patched up.
The view from the hotel room in Sarajevo. This was another really cool city.
An orthodox church in downtown Sarajevo.
Sarajevo nightlife.
Caution sign to European drivers... they need it - they drive really scary!
The next few are shots from the drive between Sarajevo and Mostar. Lovely mountain scenery!
Mostar, BiH!
View from my hotel room in Mostar.
An elementary school... well, it used to be anyway.
The Croatian contribution to the Mostar skyline... competition with the 80dB call to prayer at 5pm.
The old bridge in Mostar. This was completely destroyed during the war, and rebuilt only recently.
Looking straight out the window from my hotel room, into downtown Mostar. Great view!
The following are shots from the drive back to Piran, Slovenia from Split, Croatia.
Last picture I took in Piran, at sunrise.
Well that was fun. Engage me in conversation some time if you want to know more about the course material. It was a really good class, overall.
