We Meet the US Ambassador to Serbia

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Last Friday evening we attended an ISB Board of Trustees dinner at the Hotel Zira here in Belgrade, Serbia. Making a surprise visit was US Ambassador to Serbia, Cameron Munter. One of the board members who works with the US Embassy was leaving Belgrade and the board, and he was there to honor his work with the school. He was very nice and down to earth, even being happy to take a photo with us. Also in the picture is our friend Hido (far left), a husband of a colleague at work.

The Ambassador has only a few days left in his post in Serbia. He is off to Iraq to work on special projects. He was there in 2006 heading up the Reconstruction team. Munter is a career diplomat working in various European posts, such as Deputy Head of Mission in Prague and Warsaw. He is an intellectual also, having a doctorate in European History and being a former professor at UCLA. Everyone at the Embassy tells me he is great to work for and is a decent man. He has a tough job here in Serbia, especially when US government policy on Kosovo is in direct opposition to the opinion of the majority of Serbs.

Tim is in the foreground as we ham it up for the photographer
Tim is in the foreground as we ham it up for the photographer

It would be tough to be an Ambassador. His time is really not his, with so many events that he attends, he is often going from one engagement to another. The night he came to our function, he had two more that evening. It must be difficult on a family! He meets so many people and attends so many dinners, conferences, meetings, etc.  Well, Ocean is up and crying, so I need to attend to her. It will be interesting to see who will replace him. It is a long process so we may not know before the year is out.

The Admin Team
The Admin Team

Support Staff Dinner

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Last week we gathered together to say thanks to our support staff. These are the secretaries, administrative assistants, receptionists, and others, that help the school run smoothly. I am pictured below with my administrative assistant, Bojana Borovic. I’ll do a post on her later. She is from Montenegro, and has a Montenegrin father and Serbian mother. Bojana works with me and our curriculum coordinators in the high school.

I am pictured saying thank you to the lovely Bojana.
I am pictured saying thank you to the lovely Bojana.

It is a nice tradition to recognize the people who handle much of the daily activities that happen in the school. We dined at the Zaplet Restaurant located downtown. The Belgrade Eye describes the restaurant as follows:

Zaplet – Belgrade Restaurant

Address: Kajmakcalanska 2, 11000 Belgrade
Location: Center – Vracar – find this restaurant on Belgrade map
Telephone: (+381 11) 240 4142

Our Rating:

Restaurant Description

Very nice and cozy restaurant in Vracar municipality – and one of the favorite places for many Belgraders. This Belgrade restaurant offers wide rage of meals from Serbian specialties all the way to asian cuisine. The place is always packed so advance reservation is a must here. The place offers intimacy, modern interior, great ventilation, and as such it is ideal for relaxing and feeling the benefits of really professional service. The menu includes: classic food, salads and starters, risottos and pastas, soups, national meals, main courses, fish and sea fruit. The specialty of restaurant is one of the most comprehensive wine list where you will find all sorts of domestic and imported wines. Besides this the restaurant offers 15 different kinds of deserts and one of the finest coffees we have tried in Belgrade.

Belgrade versus Seattle Appetites?
Belgrade versus Seattle Appetites?

I highly recommend the restaurant. I’ll definitely take Nadia back there sometime soon. The Independent of the UK ranked it as the best restaurant in the city.

Big Week Over

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Mr. Kralovec, originally uploaded by bill kralovec.

It was an extremely busy week for us at school. I am shown above speaking at the commencement for the seniors on Saturday. 24 graduates said goodbye to ISB, and it turned out to be a beautiful day for a ceremony in our courtyard. A lot of work went into making the ceremony go well. It was a special day. The only hitch was our keynote speaker did not appear. We asked Belgrade Mayor, Dragan Djilas to speak and he canceled out last Thursday. In his stead, his people said former mayor and current deputy mayor Hrustanovic was speaking. She never showed or gave us word of now showing. Oh well, our Board President, Marcel Grogan gave a nice impromptu speech for the graduates and no one seemed to notice.

With Prom, Girls on the Move, Parent-Principal Coffee, Rehearsals, Board Dinner, and Support Staff Dinner, it was a hectic week.

Eric, Marcel, and I (left to right)
Eric, Marcel, and I (left to right)

 

The transcript of my speech is as follows:

On behalf of the faculty and staff I would like to say to the seniors…

Thank You

Hvala

Merci

Dank U

Shookran

Da zhen kuje

Dankschen

Did I recognize all of the languages you speak?  That is one of the nicest characteristics about ISB, is the international nature of the school and the variety of languages one hears throughout the day.  All of you have brought a bit of your culture to the school. 

I also want to say thank you for making my first year at ISB easier, by rarely being sent to my office. You were great role models for the younger students. As seniors, you had the highest grade point average in the high school, the best SAT scores in our school’s history, and most importantly, you were the embodiment of our values of excellence, open-mindedness and global responsibility. All the teachers will remember you fondly. Your time and effort spent in learning and improving our school community was appreciated and you will be missed. You have set the bar high for future students and for the first time in our high school, you developed a strong community school spirit. It was small things like organizing the student agendas, a remarkable HOSIC performance, anchoring the defense on our soccer team, to big things like collecting toys for the orphans, bringing joy with your visits to the children’s hospital, and many of you graduating with bilingual IB Diplomas.

I would like to mention one student in particular, who started here at ISB last century and is ending her school career today. I would like to call up to the podium, the kindergarten teacher from the 1997 school year, Dr. Draginja Jeftic and her former pupil and current senior, Sonja Ilic.

In conclusion, I would like to thank Mr. Joostens for the generous donation of refreshments for the reception afterwards. I would also like to thank Suzanne, for giving the seniors the opportunity to complete their school career here, on our beautiful campus. She stood up for what she believed in and that is one of the lessons we try to teach here at ISB.

I would also like to thank the parents and families that played a large role in your development. It must seem like just yesterday that they were crawling and in diapers, and here they are today, ready to make their mark on the world. Do us proud graduates, I wish you all the best in finding a career, love, and happiness.

We will now hear from the ISB Choir, featuring senior singer, Alexandra Von Tersch.

ISB Prom

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ISB Faculty, originally uploaded by bill kralovec.

Last night I went to two parties. The second was our school’s Junior & Senior Prom. It was a big night for the kids. Very nice to see all of them dressed up! The prom was held at the IN Hotel in New Belgrade. I stayed for the first part, and thanks to the help of the chaperones, I left early.

The hotel had a great terrace where we took these photos. The students organized the whole thing, and they had music, food, etc. Everyone enjoyed themselves and the students acted in a mature manner. We are blessed to have very good students.

Tanya was voted Prom Queen
Tanya was voted Prom Queen

My Birthday Party

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On Monday I celebrated my 42nd birthday. I share a birthday with the former Yugoslavian leader, Josip Tito Broz. The theme of the night was “2 Great Men – One Birth Date”. People still recognize Tito’s birthday here, even though he died almost 30 years ago. Older people have nostalgia because then, Yugoslavia played a bigger part in world affairs. Their position between the Soviets and West in the Cold War years, gave them a special status. They also had a better economy than the neighboring Eastern European nations. Since his death, it has all been down hill, although, things seem to be turning around.

The Boys
The Boys

We invited friends for dinner at Biblos restaurant, a Lebanese place we discovered awhile back. We then had a “Bito” bowling tourney. Sean and Lekisha won the tourney and Tim and Janna won the “Sportsmanship” award. All in all, it was a good night, especially for a Monday. Lots of laughs and exciting sports action.

I want to thank Nadia for her efforts in organizing everything. She went all out this year, considering last year she forgot my birthday. It was really nice in the morning, when all three of my kids came up and gave me a big hug and said happy birthday. Nadia got me cologne and a wallet and my friends brought me a lot of alcohol (wine and rakija).

 

The Girls
The Girls

 

 

I think we’ll continue with the Tito – Bito theme next year. I hope to perhaps splurge and rent his blue train. I’ll see how much it costs.

Another Bridge Over the Sava River

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Earlier this month, Owen and I were riding our bikes to Ada Ciganlija Island. Along the bike path, we stopped and watched the huge cranes as they were building the support for the new bridge. This is a much needed project, as there are not enough bridges in the city. The Sava River is a tributary of the Danube, and both rivers divide Belgrade. On our side is the older part,and the other side has New Belgrade. We cross the bridge to go grocery shopping, etc. Last night, we went to the Enrique Iglesias concert at the Belgrade Arena which is also in New Belgrade.

The bridge closest to our house, the Gazelle Bridge, is the main freeway through Belgrade. It is constantly full of traffic and this new bridge will relieve this.

I was a bit worried that the bridge would ruin the atmosphere of Ada, my favorite spot in Belgrade. I don’t think it will as you can see below, it just touches the tip of the island. There are private rowing clubs on that side and I never go there.

A Model of What the Bridge Will Eventually Look Like
A Model of What the Bridge Will Eventually Look Like

I wonder if “Sava Bridge” will be the name of it. The official web site calls it Sava Bridge Project.

Family Journal: May 20, 2009

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Ocean , originally uploaded by bill kralovec.

It has been a busy week. Yesterday I was over at the Hotel Zira until 8:00 PM working on the graduation ceremony. Tonight, I have a Grade 5 transition meeting with the parents at 7:00 PM. Saturday is the Spring Fair. Does it ever end? – Yes, on June 24th!

A couple of nights ago, Nadia called me over to take a picture of Ocean in her crib, hugging her doll. She looks so cute! Ocean is sleeping more through the night. I only get up once or twice every other night. Much better than the 2-3 times per night a few months ago.

Owen’s Swimming Lessons

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Owen with Coach Nesa, originally uploaded by bill kralovec – May 9, 2009

Owen is taking swimming lessons with the Plivaćki Klub “Free Style.” Plivački means swimming in Serbian. Owen is shown above with his coach, Nenad Milojević. Coach Nenad is showing him how to dive. Swimming and especially water polo is big in Serbia. The lessons take place at the Partizan Water Polo Club pool in the Banjica suburb of Belgrade. The facility is huge, with an Olympic size pool and 1/2 of an Olympic size pool. There are also multiple swimming pools outside that will open on June 1. Besides the pool, the recreational complex houses a table tennis school, a tennis club, and right next door is the RAD professional soccer club.

The Partizan Water Polo Club in Banjica
The Partizan Water Polo Club in Banjica

The lessons are for elementary age students and take place every Saturday and Sunday at 5:00 PM. There are about 20 kids in Owen’s group, with Owen being just about the youngest. The classes cost $40 per month. They spend a lot of time with the kick boards and Owen is developing a good kick and back stroke with the board. He is also starting the fundamentals of the free style and sort of diving. He is improving rapidly. Serbia always in medal contention for water polo so I hope it rubs off on Owen.

Typical European changing rooms – unisex, with men and women right next to each other. It is no big deal here, but in Puritan USA, it would be a scandal. They are separate rooms with no doors and everyone respects each others’ privacy.

We want Owen to feel safe in water and these classes will hopefully help him do that. He is very coachable, and I see him doing a lot of laps compared to the other kids, who sometimes are off-task. Nenad and his assistants do a good job of getting the kids to not fear the water and develop good fundamentals. The classes also give me a chance to work on my Serbian lessons. I take my book along and do a lesson while Owen is in the pool. Nenad (Nesha for short), wants to practice his English with me and always helps with my Serbian.

I highly recommend the swimming club to anyone. Owen is the only foreigner, but we are treated very well by all. That is one thing that everyone always says about the Serbs here in Belgrade, they are really nice.

Cherry Madness!!!!

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Cherries on Sale in the Senjak Market
Cherries on Sale in the Senjak Market

Spring is in full bloom and the markets are full of cherries. We have been eating them off the trees at school and going to the markets and buying kilos for devouring at home. Love ’em and can’t get enough of them! This morning I took the kids and we walked down to the local “green” market here in Senjak. Serbs call markets with produce for sale, “green.” It was a beautiful day today with temps in the 80’s. It was such a European thing to do – walk to the market with our rolling basket to buy fruit, eggs, and milk. The boys love ža ža (pronounced like Zsa Zsa Gabor), which are these bite sized pastries. In our neighborhood besides the market, there is a regular super market, a hamburger place, car wash, gas station, several cafes, pharmacy, etc. Everything we need within walking distance. Quite convenient.

Ollie and Owen Eat Pastries

We had a really good day today. I mowed the lawn, we went grocery shopping for the week, and Owen had his swimming lesson. We played in the backyard and went up to the park at school. Nadia made a nice risotto for lunch.

Nadia loves those cherries
Nadia loves those cherries

Visit to Air Force One (Well Sort of)

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At last weekend’s Serbia Open, we had a pleasant surprise upon arriving. I parked my car on a side street and we went through someone’s yard to get to the stadium. When we emerged through the yard, we came upon two policemen that directed us across some railroad tracks. On the tracks, was the ex-Yugoslavian leader, Tito’s famous blue train. Serbia being a relaxed country, (I think of it as a Slavic Spain or Latin America), they of course let us enter the stadium via this unofficial route and gave us a tour of the train.

Tito and his wifes chair were bigger than the rest of the chairs
Tito and his wife's chair were bigger than the rest of the chairs

Tito didn’t like to fly and so he ordered a train to be constructed. It had bedrooms, bathrooms, dining rooms, meeting rooms, etc. Very presidential like the Air Force One plane for the US President. It was built in the late 40’s early 50’s and he toured around Europe with it quite a bit. Many world leaders were hosted on the train.

After his death, the train stood idle, but about 10 years ago, it was restored. The train is available to rent for groups and it is perfectly restored. My son Owen commented that it looked like the set from an old James Bond film. So right he was as you can see from the photos.

I really felt a sense of history walking through a few of the cars. The train was as the tennis tourney because they hosted journalists and guests for a luncheon and press conference. I wonder what conversations took place in it. I definitely want to rent this train for my farewell to Serbia. So I guess it was in a way, a visit to the Air Force One of its time. Except in this case, instead of the presidential plane, it was a train, and about 50 years ago.

There is much nostalgia for the time of Tito here in Serbia. Yugoslavia was then ahead of its neighbors in Eastern Europe as it was out of the Soviet sphere of influence. The economy and freedom of travel in the 50’s – 70’s was very nice. Tito died over close to 30 years ago and those living memories are being forgotten. It was not a sustainable economy however, and the bottom would have fallen out of it, but nevertheless, during the Cold War, Yugoslavia mattered. It is sad that all of the former republics of Yugoslavia felt so strongly about being independent. I believe the quality of life for all would have been better if they could have kept it together. Brotherhood and Unity!

Titos Bedroom (his wife slept in a separate room)
Tito's Bedroom (his wife slept in a separate room)