Mostar: A Sugared Soft Candy, Neither Sweet Nor Soft 🇧🇦🌉

#summervacay My journey to Mostar painted a vivid, almost poetic picture of anticipation, and then a stark encounter with reality. It felt like a profoundly moving experience. I describe the train ride from Sarajevo as incredibly peaceful, winding through mountains bathed in warm mist. The "milk-colored quiet" of the valley, with its soft, unreal green-white river, set a serene and almost ethereal tone. However, entering the city itself brought a sense of disappointment. I found Mostar "not stunning," its cobblestone streets uncomfortably rough, and its commercialization still in a basic, unrefined stage. Yet, as evening fell, standing on the edge of the valley, watching the river flow beneath the Old Bridge, I had a profound realization. The bridge's beauty, I discovered, isn't merely architectural. Instead, it embodies a fierce, "teeth-gritting resilience." Blown apart and meticulously rebuilt brick by brick, the Stari Most stands as a powerful testament to Mostar's spirit: "It can be shattered, and it can grit its teeth and survive." This transformation from a place of disappointment to one of deep admiration for its resilience was truly impactful. It felt like Mostar, despite its raw edges, offered me a deeper, more meaningful connection than mere aesthetic beauty could. #mostar #bosniaandherzegovina