Interesting places in the Balkans

**Fisherking** · 08-26-2013, 16:31

Maybe today we find out if he got shot down by the Queen Bee or if he is making the trip.

**HoreTore** · 08-27-2013, 00:53

Originally Posted by Fisherking

Maybe today we find out if he got shot down by the Queen Bee or if he is making the trip.

Extended deadline

The plan, mostly based on Sarmatian's post, was recieved very well, but getting it all under budget is a challenge.

**Fisherking** · 08-27-2013, 06:19

Great! Congrats and good luck.

**HoreTore** · 09-12-2013, 09:40

Thought I'd might share how things turned out, if anyones interested.

The plan is approved by the parents, after two hold-outs finally caved in(their reasons for opposing it was, basically, rubbish).

It looks a little like Sarmatians plan, but instead of crossing over into Serbia, we're going back to Croatia. The reason is boring: it's a lot cheaper to use one airport instead of two. We'll visit a conflict resolution center in Sarajevo, and added two more towns in Bosnia, Mostar and Screbrenica. Since we're lacking Serbia we're trying to find a "rent-a-serb" service, either on the trip or before we leave.

There will be three goals for the trip. First, it's the older history of the area, looking at architecture and all that. Secondly, it's about conflict resolution. I have high hopes for that center on this. Also Mostar should be interesting in that regard, as I hear it's still a very divided town, and someone should be able to tell us how they are capable of living with an unresolved conflict hanging over their heads day and night, with the "enemy" so close. Thirdly, it will be on propaganda. When three people from three different sides tell three different stories, and none of them are really lying(except by omission), how can the students analyze and make sense of it?

The trip was also a huge success with the students. As I said they have 4 trips to choose from, and after I presented it almost everyone wanted to go the Balkans. I have some doubts on how I presented it though, as it seemed most people wanted to go because they thought it was close to a vacation... One of them even asked my boss what kind of bus we would use, as "she didn't want to go if the bus was uncomfortable"... I've given them a clearer picture of what level of work and egagement I expect from them on the trip now though, so the number of interested students are on a more manageable level.

Anyway, thanks to all for your help!

**Fragony** · 09-12-2013, 09:59

Have a great time. Spare at least one night on total apocalypse though. Fun fact, after a board meeting it was decided that I wasn't allowed to go on the schooltrip to Paris as the risk that things would get out of hand were too high LOL@christian school. How is that for a badge of honour, total ban

**Sarmatian** · 09-12-2013, 15:17

Originally Posted by HoreTore

Thought I'd might share how things turned out, if anyones interested.

The plan is approved by the parents, after two hold-outs finally caved in(their reasons for opposing it was, basically, rubbish).

It looks a little like Sarmatians plan, but instead of crossing over into Serbia, we're going back to Croatia. The reason is boring: it's a lot cheaper to use one airport instead of two. We'll visit a conflict resolution center in Sarajevo, and added two more towns in Bosnia, Mostar and Screbrenica. Since we're lacking Serbia we're trying to find a "rent-a-serb" service, either on the trip or before we leave.

There will be three goals for the trip. First, it's the older history of the area, looking at architecture and all that. Secondly, it's about conflict resolution. I have high hopes for that center on this. Also Mostar should be interesting in that regard, as I hear it's still a very divided town, and someone should be able to tell us how they are capable of living with an unresolved conflict hanging over their heads day and night, with the "enemy" so close. Thirdly, it will be on propaganda. When three people from three different sides tell three different stories, and none of them are really lying(except by omission), how can the students analyze and make sense of it?

The trip was also a huge success with the students. As I said they have 4 trips to choose from, and after I presented it almost everyone wanted to go the Balkans. I have some doubts on how I presented it though, as it seemed most people wanted to go because they thought it was close to a vacation... One of them even asked my boss what kind of bus we would use, as "she didn't want to go if the bus was uncomfortable"... I've given them a clearer picture of what level of work and egagement I expect from them on the trip now though, so the number of interested students are on a more manageable level.

Anyway, thanks to all for your help!

If the point is 1990's conflict, there's no reason to go to Serbia. It all happened in Bosnia and Croatia. Bosnia is kind of central, as it was, and basically still is, divided by all three sides.

Anyway, I thought you said you're going to Ireland this year?

**Vuk** · 09-12-2013, 15:53

There are no interesting places in the Balkans. It is an unremarkable, stony waste land without trees or water, and it is infested with vampiric peasants. Avoid going there at all costs.

**Ironside** · 09-12-2013, 17:59

Originally Posted by Vuk

There are no interesting places in the Balkans. It is an unremarkable, stony waste land without trees or water, and it is infested with vampiric peasants. Avoid going there at all costs.

Now I know it's a joke, but the vampires are literally coming from beyond the forest (transsylvania is latin yes). So it has to be some forest there.

**Fragony** · 09-12-2013, 18:04

Originally Posted by Vuk

There are no interesting places in the Balkans. It is an unremarkable, stony waste land without trees or water, and it is infested with vampiric peasants. Avoid going there at all costs.

You know nothing http://m.youtube.com/?reload=7&rdm=v...?v=LRr1bPO-YUg

**HoreTore** · 09-12-2013, 23:35

Originally Posted by Sarmatian

If the point is 1990's conflict, there's no reason to go to Serbia. It all happened in Bosnia and Croatia. Bosnia is kind of central, as it was, and basically still is, divided by all three sides.

Anyway, I thought you said you're going to Ireland this year?

Ireland was the alternative, and the reason why I was so keen on making the Balkan trip happen

I still believe visiting Serbia is important, even though there may not be any direct marks of the conflict. Allowing the students to see what the place actually looks like has value in my opinion. Still, the most important thing is to give them the "Serbian perspective", so finding the perfect guy to talk to is a priority. I have 7 months-ish to do that though, so I'm not that worried about it...

Also: screw trees and water, they have beer.