WELCOME TO SERBIA

I feel welcome in Serbia from the moment I enter this country that I know  so little about. The patchwork road rattles my bike and my butt is burning. I couldn't care less as there are red-cheeked women on tractors smiling, sheep herders waving from far away, and people in the village store asking questions.

I arrive in the town of Negotin and within 1 minute of sitting down for dinner--okay, maybe 30 seconds--the guys at the the next table ask if they can join. Sure. A long night of wine drinking follows. In true Borat style I am complimented by "Me like meeting strong woman" (that is, I take it as a compliment.) The procession of people that follows all agree: we love to meet foreigners. Hungry for travel stories they lap up my adventures from Asia, then begging for more. We finish the night with a huge slice of Burek: fatty filo dough pie stuffed with minced meat. Every country has its specialty late night snack to soak up the alcohol. And this might be my world-wide favorite so far.