Things I'll Miss About Bosnia: #9

Free time in Bosnia allowed me to catch up with my Aussie
mate Dimitri Hantas on several occasions to discuss, among
other things, all to do with the local lifestyle.

Spare time for reflection

"Every cloud has a silver lining."

It is a quote that has survived centuries, and one that I find perfectly apt to describe the current situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Whilst this country has many -- and I mean many -- problems, it simultaneously possesses some unique traits which should be appreciated by the inhabitants here.

(The jury might come out after what I am about to say, but here goes anyway.)

So, what specific so-called traits am I referring to?

It's quite simple: the mass amounts of free time Bosnians have, allowing one to live their life free of the numerous obligations which tie down many of us Australians (or Westerners, even).

Woah, woah .. step back, bolan. I know this is not all good news.



True, one of the main reasons Bosnians have so much free time is because of huge difficulties finding employment, but, for me (and, I am sure, some others), it is something appreciated.

... it also allowed me some opportunities to have a kick
of an Aussie Rules "footy"! (Rest assured, the locals were
very perplexed when I was kicking that one around.)

As mentioned above, the standard life of an Australian adult revolved around work-work-work, with spare time a luxury; something we are rarely afforded.

Of course, without work, there is no way I would even be here in Bosnia in the first place, but it is nice for someone who grew up in such a work-dominated culture to have a bit of a break from it all and, well, simply relax a little and live life!

The daily spare time I currently enjoy allows me to utilise and explore many of my hobbies -- such as writing this blog -- and, going deeper, to provide the opportunity for me to reflect on certain things in my life.

Few places are better for such reflection than a city centre cafe -- be it in Zenica or Sarajevo -- sipping on a coffee as you watch the world go by outside.

Perhaps, with good reason, locals are not too fond of this 'slow' and undeveloped situation, but it is a life I will be dreaming of when I am slavin- .. ahem, I mean .. hard-at-work in Australia.

Viva la Bosnian lifestyle.