Feliz Novi Sad

Since yesterday the self-adjusted song “Feliz Novi Sad” is stuck in my head. The contrast between a Spanish Christmas and the Serbian summer could not be bigger though. We have arrived at a fantastic location, at a beach on the Danube. Despite the high temperatures the water level is dangerously high. In the direct surroundings of our caravan there is a swimming pool, a variety of small kiosks, terraces, sport pitches and picknich patches. In the evening half of the Novi Sad population gathers here to watch the World Cup on large TV screens. Even later at night the beach turns into some sort of lovers lane. Coloured lights, outside eating places and a wandering gipsy orchestra. To me it feels like something between the Parade (a Dutch traveling cultural festival) and a beach side resort.

Biljana Marceta of the Magelan Travel Agency arranged all kinds of events for us, on top of getting us this perfect spot for the caravan. She has also arranged a city tour through historic down town. In the colourful roof tiles of the Cathedral at Freedom Square we recognize the work of the Szolnay tile factory in Pécs. When asking our guide about it, we find out that Novi Sad is Pécs’ twin sister town. Later that day Biljana has arranged a visit to City Hall, where we are served a traditional Balkan Grill lunch (large portions again!), followed by radio and TV interviews.

Yesterday German TV reporter Cordula and cameraman Jens have arrived in Novi Sad. Tomorrow they will accompany us on our journey to Belgrade, making an item for the German VOX-TV show ‘Automobil’, the most popular TV car show in Germany.

There are so many unexpected and spontaneous events every day that it is difficult to keep the blog up to date. So now I am finding myself at a quiet terrace against midnight, writing about today’s events. When the terrace finally closes, Peter is already sleeping in the caravan and Dachs has been snoring under my table for a while. ‘Feliz Novi Sad’ keeps playing in my head. It probably won’t come out until after we have left this beautiful town.