Drenjak - Cornelian Cherry
Drenjak, in English, is Cornelian Cherry. I have never heard of this before but, for me it is similar to cranberry. In fact we made a Drenjak sauce as an accompaniment to chicken and turkey. Delish!
David writes,
Hello and welcome to this weeks newsletter from Bosnia and Herzegovina.
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As you can see from the image above, the weather is scorching and we’ve finally managed to get the tall grass cut. It’s off to the neighbours to help feed livestock etc.
Newsletter Development.
As part of our plan to make the newsletter better, from this week we have 2 changes:
The newsletter will be in your inboxes at 0700 CET each Saturday from now on.
Our weekly Vlogs, which we have started after a brief "burn out" break, will be included at the start of the newsletter. The vlog will be published on YouTube at 2000CET on Sunday. So you guys get to see it exclusively in advance AND ad free.
This Week's Vlog.
Foreigners in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
As you know, I am uber passionate about living in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Lots, and I mean Lots, of people really find it difficult to understand how I can be so passionate.
I recently started to talk to other foreigners who have settled here like me, to see how they view the country, and am beginning to publish those interviews if you will, as podcasts.
Denise Ponce is from Cordoba in Argentina, married to Jovan from Banja Luka….
Pic of the Week
One of my fascinations, is the old style houses that are scattered around both the centre of Banja Luka, and surrounding villages.
Comic Festival.
“Salon Stripa” loosely means “Comics Festival”.
Every year there is a Comic Festival in Laktaši, our local town This year was the thirteenth, having said that, 2020’s event did not take place, due to the world-wide pandemic.
Comic authors and cartoonists from the region came for a 3 day session of collaboration, workshops and promotion of their art.
We have visited before, but some years ago now.
Click on the button below to read our blogpost, with 2 videos we made back in 2013 plus a gallery of images.
Tamara bought this book for me at Salon Stripa.
Amazing.
The book is both in Serbian and German.
I can handle the German :)
Visiting Bosnia and Herzegovina - UPDATE.
As of this newsletter, Foreigners can enter the country with a valid PCR test or proof of full vaccination. No requirement for Quarantine or Self Isolation in that case.
Airlines are now starting to operate into the country and Wizz Air have commenced flights into Banja Luka to and from Dortmund.
Here is the first flight arriving on Thursday.
Sarajevo and Tuzla Airports are also starting to open up..
Bosnia and Herzegovina is still on the UK AMBER List. So do please come and visit.
This is such a beautiful country to visit especially if you like a more sedate travel pace.
Please conduct your own due diligence before travelling!
Restrictions are still in place and policed but are relaxed compared to most countries.
How to Make Bosnian Apple Pie.
The main difference between the apple pie I grew up with back in the UK, and these I eat today, is that Balkan Pie is with a variation of Filo pastry where Northern European is with short crust.
My Favourite Drink at the moment.
One of my favourite juices to drink in Bosnia and Herzegovina, is Drenjak. Elderflower is of course “Broj jedan” (number one).
Tamara's uncle makes Drenjak juice. This is from him 😃.
Drenjak, in English, is Cornelian Cherry.
I have never heard of this before but, for me it is similar to cranberry. In fact we made a Drenjak sauce as an accompaniment to chicken and turkey a few years ago.
Delish!
And Finally.
That's our update from our village here in the north of Bosnia and Herzegovina for this week.
We hope you like our new way of creating our weekly newsletter.
We hope you'll continue to follow our adventures, and to engage with questions and comments.
We are always so excited when we receive them.
PLEASE, do stay safe wherever you are.
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Imagine how wonderful this would be if this was restored