La Vie En Rose for 2006 July 3

While it might be good for me to be getting used to only having sporadic internet, I hope I get better at making posts in the short time I *do* have, if for no other reason than for the sake of those who might be worried about me. Though my family members & close friends behaved reasonabley enough (I think they are used to me & may have been expecting this trip for a time) I am getting used to friends & acquaintances' negative reaction when I tell them where I'm going. "WHY?" "Oh my GOD, be careful!" Although, they do seem placated when I tell them it's actually quite safe to travel in the Balkans, so long as one doesn't go to Kosovo, the only region that is relatively dangerous. (Secret: I am actually planning on going to Kosovo.) A surprising number of people, when I say I am going to Serbia to learn the language, ask which language is it, exactly, that I am going to learn. I've started to tell people, "Europe," first, then Serbia & vicinity when & if they ask for more specifics. This usually produces a better reaction. Maybe people have difficulty remembering that the Balkans actually are part of Europe.