Columbus Day jaunt

On Monday, we took advantage of Geoff having a day off and Liam's school being open to trek to one of the most isolated villages in Bosnia: Lukomir.  Lukomir is a small village of nomadic shepherds located in the mountains to the south of the city.  Our friends, Anna and Josh, drove us out to the village on what turned out to be a gorgeous fall day.  We hiked around a bit, took some great photos, and then took advantage of true hospitality with some of the locals (see pics).

We learned a lot while we were there:  this village has only had electricity since 2002, it is one of the oldest continuously inhabited places in all of Europe, and the entire population moves down from the mountains during the snowiest winter months because they would be cut-off from supplies if they did not!  It is truly amazing to me that such a lifestyle can exist in this day and age.

The entrance to the village

The community fountain is on the left.

 Traditional stone housing

 One gorgeous view

 A local man at work

 Sheep on a hill

 Another gorgeous view

 Anna (with just-purchased handmade woolen socks on her hands) and me

It was cool and windy.

 The village from above

 Early Christian markers

Perhaps from Crusade times?

 One enterprising local has opened a bar of sorts

The bar-owner let us try some harvested berries (rosehips?) they use to make tea.  

They were furry. 

 The sweet locals

 Geoff's National Geographic shot

This lady was a good hugger!

 A shepherd and his sheep

Some older Muslim gravestones