Tuesday we got into our car and drove northwest to the village of Pidris. Pidris is a village we visited last September. After our visit a clean-water project was approved, the actual work was started last fall and completed this spring. We went to see how the project turned out. The first picture is when we visited last fall. The rest are from Tuesday when we viewed the finished project which now has water in a village of 450 people which has not had running water for more than 80 years. We purchased the materials and the village did all the work. It was a great partnership.
After our visit to Pidris we drove to the village Nova Bila to discuss a possible phase 2 of a water project that was completed earlier this year. Then a 2+ hour drive back to the hotel. Each night we returned to the hotel in Sarajevo.
Wednesday morning we went southwest to the city of Mostar. Mostar is 2 1/2 hours from Sarajevo, so over 5 hours from Tuzla. Nearly all small villages in Bosnia have a need for more water. We went to the Red Cross office in Mostar. There we picked up a local water engineer and the local Red Cross representative. We drove out a a village called Vrapčići. Mostar is the city but Vrapčići is a village within the metropolitan area like Murray or Midvale is to Salt Lake. They have water in Vrapčići, but because of the increased building more water is needed. We reviewed plans and discussed the potential project and then returned to the city of Mostar for lunch.
Mostar which means "old bridge" is famous for the bridge which was totally destroyed during the war. The stones were taken from the river and the bridge was rebuilt. Being the tourist season this bridge was packed. But we enjoyed a lovely lunch outside near the bridge and side of the river.
Thursday we took the Petersen's to old town Sarajevo to do a little shopping before their flight left for Romania. After dropping them off at the airport in Sarajevo we drove back to to Tuzla.
The copper and silver aisle.
The pictures above are us at Bey's Mosque which is the most important Islamic house of worship in Bosnia. It was built in 1531. It was left to the city by Gazi Husrev Bey, the Ottoman ruler of Bosnia.
These pictures are for my grandsons. Interesting things made from leftover ammunition.
This is the Latin bridge which is where Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria was assassinated in 1914 which was the start of World War I. He and his wife were shot on the left side of the bridge.
That is it for the week but before we sign off we want to wish a happy birthday to a special three year old. We think he is pretty special and enjoy visiting with him on the computer.
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