72.02 Linking two countries, tenuously, but to us there is a commonality, Serbia particularly to San Diego....and it's not the "S" 's.

Serbia: Sokobanya and Siljak-Rananj, two hikes during short stays. 

San Diego: A few walks in Tecolote Canyon, testing the slopes or should it be ourselves? 

Jen in the colorful wilds of Serbia during our favorite season.
   We arrived in San Diego from an earlier trip to Nepal and booked an apartment in Clairemont. While we reside in an area temporarily only, we do what we always do, that being walking and exploring the area. It is interesting that in each neighborhood, we get a feel for the different atmospheres created by the communities, including land and structures. In the poorer areas, there is more life on the streets and sidewalks than in the richer neighborhoods, where life seems to occur indoors or in the cars en route to destinations, we think.

Alongside Clairemont is a similar environment, that of Linda Vista. Since our initial visit to Clairemont, we have enjoyed two subsequent stays in Linda Vista and have two more lined-up on returns from foreign destinations. This should not be construed that we like the area...or maybe, it should. What was interesting is coming across a Serbian community within the two neighborhoods. It has allowed us to share some experiences as well as observe, as they visit each other frequently, the social sides of their lives which are 'vigorous'.

In our last two stays in San Diego, we have hired accommodations let by landlords of Serbian descent...in fact, one a recent emigre. It encouraged us to look back at experiences in Serbia of which we found at least two terrific hiking days. 

We believe this photograph captures the beauty, the isolation and perhaps, the haunting nature of the scene.
Nothing haunting now that the scene is filled with beauty.
We should reveal that it makes a big difference when a person chooses to live in an area for a very short term opposed to entering a long-term lease or worse still, purchasing a property. The phrasing of the last sentence might be construed as being prejudicial to ownership or at least commitment. Truth be told it is. While we owned homes for many years, and in fact, were very comfortable with the concept, enjoying much pride in adding to each home and taking care of them, something changed over sixteen years ago. 

  To explain such change is out of the scope of this blog and in and of itself, took us a while to understand ourselves. We could provide a few answers and reasons for this, particularly because of one of us was a real 'homeboy' who did not like to be away for extended periods...say, longer than a month. How things change. 'Homeboy' now cannot stand being in his former environments for longer than a month. Jenni is not much different. However, she was the one who always wished to get out and go exploring but loved to return for a while. It might be a female issue of wearing clean clothes and enjoying shopping experiences. This latter aspect has also changed and we find ourselves even closer in our thinking...not that it's ever been an issue. We both need to keep moving. 

Down some of the steepest slopes we have experienced.
...and up on the other side in San Diego.
  We think that life is an amazing gift. However, we believe this gift is entirely dependent on how one uses it. Of course, decent health and certain other issues are vital and will not be brought into the topic. Nevertheless, to the extent one can influence one's life, choose a path to follow, find and experience the adventures offered, it behooves a person to seize such opportunities. We feel that there is certain pattern to living, often determined or at least with parameters set by society or communities, to keep us following an 'approved' lifestyle. (Decent values are not negotiable). 

  When one chooses to follow a different route, of course in varying degrees of conformity or perhaps non-conformity, it unsettles some, annoys others, makes some envious and gives many an example to change their lives. While we make it clear that our choice is personal, it's not selected for any other reason than to give our lives more meaning, make enjoyable, challenging, educational, at times difficult, but always provide upliftment and fulfilment. Earlier in life, we believe we grasped the concept that when a person finds her passion, she has found her purpose in life.  

In Serbia, an abandoned castle? The Republic is without monarchy...although we sometimes hear something about a king. 

This photograph may well be mistaken for a painting. We do believe the scene captures the essence of many seen beautifying walls.

  We have been challenged/criticized at times on all the negatives people have conjured up about our lifestyle. As mentioned, we were never rebellious in our ways although it seems some people thought we were inclined to live, at times, a little differently. Personally, I thought this a reasonable criticism but actually, we were still mostly conservative in our ways and always adhere to the rules or at least, try to follow them. To add a religious aspect to life, the more religious people become, the more inward they seem to develop. In fact, many separate from the greater community which in turn leads to further closing in and separation until their community becomes smaller and smaller. Thereafter, association with others, travel and living amongst strangers does not occur, often frowned upon. 

  While we have our own minds, we realize that we can never be fully developed, fortunately. Each day, each moment is another opportunity to witness, to learn, to undergo, to experience much from other cultures, people, lands and so forth...to grow. While we have many differences, both real and imagined, there are certainly people more troubled than others, many dangerous and with negative intentions. Nevertheless, it's amazing how one grows up a certain way and the behavior of others appear to range from different, odd to abhorrent. However, because someone does something different from the way one was brought up to do it, does not make it wrong or inferior. In fact, many-a-time it can be a superior method. We think there is so much to learn and enjoy from each other that not to take advantage of such occasions is a waste of opportunities. 

Jen appeals for help. The best I can offer is to 'pick up the feet and move forward',...the optimist within me thinks she appreciated the advice.
Briefly, we remember a story related about Rabbi Hirsch. He was teaching his pupils who spent all day in classes. Heck, guys, there's got to be more to life than studying full time, even should it be 'good stuff'. Anyway, he mentioned that he would be traveling to Switzerland the following week. A pupil questioned him saying that 'to be out of the classroom would waste study time'. His retort: "When I eventually arrive before the Lord and he asks me how I enjoyed His Swiss Alps, for example, what am I to answer?" Jen and I want to make sure we have a massive list of experiences that we will be able to compliment Him with a full and long answer."  

This will certainly never be mistaken for a painting...a clone of a clown, perhaps. Taken on the peak in vigorous winds. (Serbia) 

Nature knows no differences, only humans distinguish.
Jen commences the return from the peak.
  This began as a blog linking two towns and developed in a different direction...I'd say. I think I got hijacked and the sad thing is, I'm the hijacker. So much for discipline. Perhaps, I'll end off by saying that we have no idea what the future holds. In fact, we have no idea what's coming in the next moment. It seems obvious to me that to repeat many of the daily routines, those without value, or that are meaningless, seems to be an insult to life, to the giver of life and a waste of the potential we all have. While a risk averse existence at times can seem comfortable compared with the more difficult aspects of a challenging life, there is no real comparison. 

  In the words of a friend who has since passed, (Mannie Edelstein), Carpe Diem...Seize the Day. 

When we followed his advice couched in those two words, we changed our lives.

Cheers,

Jenni and Jeffrey

At this stage, I'd invite my brother Mark to quit the blog. 

The power of the 'little guy'. You never know when they'll appear and from where. Generally, they are also, never welcome.