Once again I rose extremely early to make the 7am bus to Novi Pazar. I was about to enter my fourth country on this trip and was sad to leave Sarajevo where I had had such a great time. But alas time to move on as I have a meeting on Monday with the Serbian Mercy Corps in Novi Pazar. No problems at the border meant that I was easily through to the fourth country of twelve that I plan to visit.

Novi Pazar (which means New Bazaar from the Turkish influences) is in the South of Serbia in the Sanzak region that borders Montenegro and Kosovo. It is under much pressure and ethnic tensions are high. But as I enter the city it has a positive feel and the sun is shining meaning that numerous Serbs are sitting on the terraces outside the cafes sipping coffee or beer and enjoying the spring weather.

I find the cheapest option in town, the Pensione Han, which is a decrepit old building right on the noisy town square but when the room rate is just 6 euros a night for a private room and a pathetic excuse of a shower/bathroom you can't really beat it. To say that it needs renovation (pictures to follow I promise!) would be a massive understatement - the place is made pretty much of wood with walls so thin you can hear everything, and it is in desperate need of a clean - ciggarette ends and ash lie all over my floor. Still I decide on the need to economise and its location and price are excellent. I would love to see what the Health and Safety Inspectorate back home would say! Still it is adequate for me.

I meet with Aleksander, who depsite being a Lawyer by profession, is working for Mercy Corps, and has kindly agreed to meet me for coffee. He orientates me a little bit around the city. And I learn that this was once a major trade route centre at the crossroads of Central Europe with Turkey and indeed the Silk Road. I am excited at this prospect as it was entirely unexpected. The main (Emperor's road) was clearly a trade route caravanserai as the number of mosques and churches attests.

I dined in the town's best restaurant on Aleksander's recommendation and head to bed exhausted. Aleksander has kindly organised a trip to see the sights tomorrow as he has not seen them himself, so hopefully it will be a good opportunity to explore the city. I also have a wadge of reading to complete regarding the regions politics and econonmy in preparation of my visit on Monday.