Torn between the past and the future
By Tom Hall
3 Dec 2008
Serbia, once part of Yugoslavia. Now torn apart by a history we don't need to repeat but is still felt by many people all over the different republics that once formed Yugoslavia.
NATO bombardments tore this city apart too. The local TV station was bombarded to a pulp, several bridges were damaged or completely destroyed. The only good thing coming out of it was that the regime was toppled but against what expense? Having seen the city, talked to people of several cities and towns and seeing first hand the destruction and the aftermath.....I do feel ashamed but at the same time glad that they now can work on a better future and becoming part of Europe like it was always planned. Everywhere new buildings are erected, more and more new Western cars are replacing the old Zastava's, Yugo's Trabants and Lada's. European and American companies are setting up shop in the country, but Apple computers can still not be bought anywhere, people from Serbia can not order products online from American online shops, their credit cards are still not accepted like they are criminals, actually it feels like racial discrimination but I guess to be Serbian for many Westerners is the same as being untrustworthy. It is not just a shame, I think it is a crime against humanity to generalize. Hopefully this will change in time, when they become part of the United States of Europe. I was grateful for being accepted in the home of people I never met, they made me feel at home and didn't resent me for where i came from as the country I live in has a bad rep with many people. My eyes opened, there is no black and white, the contrast is more then light and dark...my feelings and view on Serbia has been readjusted and I hope I will meet more of the people from Novi Sad and revisit the city in the future.
