Serbia: Bringing the Good Memories Back from my Second Home

I can't forget my 26th Birthday in Serbia. I can't believe time went so fast; it seems were just arrived an hour ago.

Serbia plays a significant part of my life because this is the only country where I stayed most of my days in Europe. Its cities, towns and villages printed important memories in my heart.

On our first day in the country, I could still remember how we get to the place. Tibor is just trying to recall everything he could 25 years ago. He remembered where to ride the bus, but… he couldn’t recall where it was exactly. We decided to catch train instead of bus. A lot of people where squashing inside the train and so excited to go home. As far as I could remember, that was around afternoon like 3pm when people had to go home from work. I heard from them that there was no bus today because the farmers who barricaded the road with their tractors were on STRIKE. . You could see to these local people the anger and the need to go home. That was really the highlights of my day… I felt awkward and I didn’t know on how I would get along with these people. Just I asked myself, would they like me? Here I was feeling want to please them.

Debeljaca

This Village is where my husband has created his childhood memories was my second home. Every time we walk together, he always recalled that he visited most of these houses of the villagers. I enjoyed his stories and how he walked here on this rocky road before and his kiddy adventures while breaking in the resort just to swim in the pool because he had no money for entrance fee. Being back home after 25 years is necessary for him to get reconnected with his past. So am I, I also get connected with him, and now I understand him better.

Aside from his memories, this place is livable for me.In fact, I find this village very convenient especially its market every Mondays and Fridays. It is just a walking distance from home. It is easy to get around and a 30 minutes drive to Pancevo City. They have museums, pub and coffee shops and cultural centers too. Aside from that, Debeljaca is a Torontalvasarhely (old Hungarian name of the village) means the biggest market place. This Vasar (in their language) happens once in a month except winter season. 

One thing I appreciate with these people is on how they embraced new culture from being a Hungarian to Serbian and even adopting both. Actually, they can speak two languages here both Serbian and Magyar. This made my marketing exciting because I could practice my hungarian, "Mennyibe kerül?", then blushed if they started speaking Serb.

Aside from the marketing experience, one thing I couldn’t forget is the Hungarian and Serbian people here. There are a lot of things they taught me. They placed a great impact in my life.

First, The Noodle Culture

Let’s start from my mother-in-law, Anya Ilona.  She wakes up everyday to prepare meal for us and what makes her day occupied is her noodle mini business. She makes noodles for the villagers. This noodle culture here makes this town unique because this is not only an ordinary noodles where you can buy from shop. It is made with love and a touch of a mother's hand. Especially during special Sundays or occasion, we always sip a bowl of hand-made noodle soup. This is very traditional. First, you should make a chicken soup. Then you can take out the chicken and separate from its soup. Now, you can use the chicken soup to cook the noodles.

Second, Invitations to Visit

During our stay in Debeljaca, we received a lot of invitations from friends to neighbors.  According to Tibor, they believe that refusal of an invitations or an offer is an insult, but if you can’t take everything in because you’ve eaten so much, just be honest to refuse. This is really funny for me because even I was full; I had to clean my plate because my husband told me that they would appreciate if you eat everything on your plate. Maybe he was laughing behind my back when he said this, wasn't he? I think he was just cracking jokes.

I like to thank the following people for making our stay memorable and thank you for your hospitality and invitations. Thank you Ildiko and Zoli for letting me experience to harvest corn and sunflower. It makes my stay worthwhile.

Watch the video here.

This is one of our friends in Debeljaca, his name is Joszy. Here... they called "koma" as an endearment of a friend and "szomed" for neighbor.  

Kovacica

This is the most unforgettable town for us, where we used to jog wearing our favorite running shoes. It started when I invited him to walk outside the house for exercise because I like their village is clean and very peaceful. I enjoyed walking around seeing these beautiful houses. They organized their houses in way that there are an equal spaces for the road and loans outside, where some locals plant crops, some are nuts, while others prefer to have play ground for their kids or for the people who are lonely and wanted to relax outside garden decorated with flowers.

Later on, we challenged ourselves to try running from Debeljaca to Kovacica. Sometimes, when it makes me tired, I prefer to walk. However, it was a great fulfillment for both of us. At least, we burnt fats and buying something we need that we couldn’t find in Debeljaca.

Pancevo

It is the second biggest city of Serbia. Here, you can find another big market selling all from textiles to home accessories. I remember when our first visit to this place, having cool breeze of spring and I was so fascinated of the winter jacket. I find it so attractive and so trendy, so he had to buy me one for 2000 Serbian dinar. It was really the most helpful and useful thing as we travel the other European cities like Amsterdam in Holland; I used my winter jacket to keep me warm and to coat me from rain. The last days before we set off to Greece, we came to visit Joszeph and Etilka who also live in this city.

Susara

Speaking of Susara, we spent our last days with Lecei family who has the holiday house in Susara and who also lives in Pancevo. One thing that reminds me of was when we visited their neighbor that has pigeons as a pet. This guy is joining pigeon’s competition or racing. This Pigeon racing is a sport of releasing specially trained racing pigeons, which then return to their homes over a carefully measured distance. I was so surprise that he is willing  keep many pigeons as his pet inside his yard. For some, they consider them as flying rats.

 Skorenovac and the Wine Culture

This town was so special for me because that was first time when Tibi and Sebi (brothers) went out to watch football game Debeljaca Spartaks VS. the town players. Also, we visited his relatives to tell them that we would leave soon. They were very hospitable by offering us something to eat and drinks.

I remember how I yelled and cheered for Spartak Team. They won. Yehey... As soon after the game, we left leaving those memories and happiness when they goal for 2 points. Then, we stopped at the Beneviste Monastery to get two galoons of spring water. Finally, when we back in our football court( Debeljaca), it's time for socialization. I have learned from them how important the friendship that we should make time for them; just one bottle of beer or wine. Every time, they make a toast, they always say " egészségére" (cheers!). I couldn't forget that toasting wine especially pálinka has to be done to welcome special guests.

Belgrade

This is the capital of the city and the pub capital of Europe. One day, we decided to join the walking tour and I have learned how Serbian people love to party even during the bombing campaign, they were partying on the bridge as our tour guide said. I thank Sandor and his partner and Dianne for being with us during our last night in Belgrade. Of course on our last night, we ate special Serbian dinner with them. It was really romantic walking on the street specially at night.

Watch the video here.

Saying goodbye is not an easy thing...

See… people here are very hospitable and they won’t expect anything from you. They are willing to extend and give what they have just to make you feel at home.

After living in Serbia for 3 months, I have realized that everywhere you are around the world even we have different cultures, we still have in common. We all have the ability to understand and love despite of language barriers.I can feel how much they love me. Now… time went so fast. Here I am again packing all my stuff and ready to leave. I can’t deny the pain. I think goodbye is the hardest thing to do, but I don’t want to say goodbye. I am trying my best that I will be back to the place I called my new HOME. I won’t forget the remaining days when I taught English for the kids in Kindergarten and for Reformat Church. Thanks Pastor Karoly!

Now, I am leaving… but I will bring the memories with me and remember the people – Serbian and Hungarian who accept me in their community and who make me feel MORE HOME.