It is not quite the former USSR, but it is the former Yugoslavia, and well, I am here. My language learning has taken me to a whole new place. I am in Montenegro, that is, as they call it, I am in Crna Gora (or for the English speaking pronunciation… Tsrna Gora). For all of you quizical minds out there, that translates as ‘black mountain.’

A brief recap of events leading me to this lovely land of the black mountains… I have been studying BCMS (Bosnian, Croation, Montenegrin, Serbian — previously known as Serbo-Croatian) for the past 6+ weeks. The United States Department of Education decided that it is worth their while to pay for me to study BCMS (crazy!), just as they have spent the last year paying for me to study Russian (also ridiculous). Wonderful, hilly Pittsburgh has been my home away from home for the last six weeks. I completed my entire first year of BCMS study over the last six weeks (this is absurd), and I am now here in the delightful Montenegro for the next four weeks. Ljiljana Duraskovic, my amazing BCMS professor, poured copious amounts of knowledge into my concussion damaged brain and sent me off to her homeland. I am here, studying from 9am to 3:30pm daily, wondering how it is that I speak BCMS so well after only six weeks. It really is a tremendous thing to be able to go into a store, ask which kielbasa is the best, and order 100 grams of said kielbasa.

The truth: Montenegro is no Russia. It may be problematic, but Russia has become my norm, and it seems as though I want the rest of the former Communist world (at least the European part) to compare. Really, the problem with the rest of the former Communist Europe (except for parts of Belorussia and Ukraine) is that they don’t actually speak Russian! It is crazy! Despite this problem, I appear to be adjusting. I have a terrific roommate, Natalie Mauser-Carter, who was one of my very best pals in Pittsburgh, and I have managed to find all sorts of things to amuse myself with during my free time.

The details: I am studying at the University of Montenegro’s Institute of Foreign Language. Montenegro has mountains everywhere (this is a fantastic thing!). Montenegro has a massive sea coast (this is terrific!). Montenegro has lakes all over the place (also stupendous!). Hiking! The beer is decent. Nikshichko Dark is pretty amazing, actually. I get to drink instant coffee (LG)! Goodness, it had been a year since I had my last mug, and oh, how I had missed it. It is hot as hell (literally) here. Podgorica, the city in which I live has a massive bridge. It was donated by the Russians. I might go bungee jumping into the world’s second largest canyon. This is a lovely place.

I will share much more amusement with you in the coming days and weeks. Until then, enjoy these delightful photos…

The place on which I lay my head...

Millennium (Russian) Bridge!

Swimming in the river!

River swimming and a Russian bridge!

You now see that the reality is that I am simply improving my tan, drinking a new variety of beer, and learning some new words in a different language…

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