Belgrade was a pleasant surprise, to say the least.
After Plovdiv, Bulgaria, I was prepared for the worst. Plovdiv grew on me after a hike in the gorgeous Bulgarian countryside. These experiences elevated Bulgaria from Butthole of My Travels to, well, Armpit of My Travels. Still, the armpit that was Bulgaria left me with a rather unpleasant feeling about eastern Europe, a feeling I hadn’t experienced in Bucharest, Romania or anytime since crossing the threshold from western to eastern Europe on around April 25.
Rough Guides Description:
“Serbia is a buzzy and boisterous country, compact enough for visitors to sample both Belgrade’s urban hedonism and the gentler pace of the smaller towns or national parks within a few days – and it’s one of Europe’s most affordable destinations to boot. Grittier than its blue-eyed neighbor Croatia, it is nevertheless an integral part of any backpacker’s Balkan tour.”
One thing I’ve appreciated about Belgrade is that I don’t feel like the tourist here. In my Rough Guides book, it noted that a “live and let live” mentality is alive and well in the Serbian capital. I certainly saw that mentality when I visited. No one stared, interrogated, or hassled me. In fact, I felt like I was just another citizen. As much as I’ve tried to blend in and be inconspicious on this trip, feeling anonymous is not something I’ve felt very often and I appreciated the relative obscurity.
In addition, there is a thriving nightlife in Belgrade and (for the low-key people like me) a thriving cafe culture.
