While Novi Pazar had been an interesting stopover for a couple of days I realised that I was slowly getting behind schedule. My plan originally had been to arrive in Istanbul on my birthday but that is only a few days away and I still have more of Serbia and Bulgaria to explore. I take the early morning bus to the capital, Belgrade, to spend a day or so before moving down to the Roman ruins at Nis.

Belgrade is obviously a place of enormous significance in Serbia and was the capital of the former Republic of Yugoslavia. Nevertheless it is really just a big bustling city and the attractions are somewhat limited to chruches and fotresses of which I have already seen my fair share! Still it was a chance to relax and enjoy some Belgrade nightlife and catch up on the admin. I had booked a hostel, the 3 black catz, taht was recommended to me in Sarajevo and trapsed off from the bus station in search of it.

Half an hour later I found the hostel and was sweaty and exhausted having lugged my rucksack all the way but there was a certain amount of stisfaction at having saved 3 euros on a taxi! The hostel immediately had a warm and friendly atmosphere and I spent most of the afternoon chatting away to the guys staying there. Of all the places I have ever travelled it is rare to have met so many English people! Well, by manay I mean two English girls and an incomprehensible Welshman. Add a German and a Canadian and it was quite a jolly afternoon that gently turned into an evening fuelled with the local MB lager. I didn't hit the sack until half two in the morning having had a really chilled but fun evening.

Indeed Belgrade is miles away from Sandjack both economically and politically. But you notice that the people here are much more cosmopolitan. And the bars are modern and heaving. Indeed the women have improved considerably and one street is full of young girls wearing the tightest clothes possible, oozing breasts and enjoying the attention from tourists and locals alike. But I am told that you need a Mercedes before they will even consider you... hmmm slight problem there as I don't even drive let alone have a Merc. Never mind.