As a large part of the country has been affected by severe flooding, I feel almost embarrassed to say we’re doing well and had nearly no trouble with the storm that hit Bosnia last week. We’re on the mountain and most of the rain turned out to be snow up here – it affects the ground at a slower pace than the heavy rains.

Today there’s almost no trace of the snow that fell between Wednesday and Friday last week, and we’re enjoying a nice, sunny weather.

We had an afternoon walk with Iita, coming home from Vukov konak, our mountain inn. Even the lodge cat Cicko joined us for the first kilometer, or so.

And all the while walking I was thinking: ‘This is why I’m here’. To enjoy afternoons with our daughter and animals, to teach her how to stay on the side of the road as a car drives by, to watch with her as the forest stream runs, throw small stones in it, and shout for cows we think are somewhere nearby. Having absolutely no rush, stopping at the local shop, and buying us both a some ice cream.

This family and the occassionally unbeliavably slow life is what I’m here, on the mountain and in Bosnia, for.

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The last week Bosnia has been suffering from flooding in large areas of the country. The situation is slowly easing off, but there are still many cities and villages with difficulties, such as broken road connections, landslides, cars and entire houses sliding away with the muddy ground and water. Even the still existing mine fields are threatning to shift and move from the original, known and marked spots, causing yet another danger.

There are significant aid measures taking place, with the help of local and international armed forces and NGO’s. The ex-Yugoslavian diaspora all around the world seems to be extremely interested and willing to help, too, as there are several aid convoys coming into the country.

Read more here
A short BBC coverage
On the matter of landmines being displaced, with a photo gallery
German diaspora taking part