Hello and welcome to this, rather short edition of our newsletter from Čardačani.

Since writing our last post, life has been a total roller coaster of symptoms that Tamara and I have been experiencing.

Dealing with a COVID attack as been, for us, pretty brutal.

As I write this, and by the way, my attention span is worse than normal, I keep thinking about what the experience might have been like had we not been previously fully vaccinated.

Not a pleasant thought I have to say.

Share An Englishman in the Balkans

The Update

Today (Friday) is day 8 since we had our PCR tests (Day 11 since feeling that we had symptoms).

On Tuesday our isolation period ends, having said that, we might wait a further day or two before taking an antigen test to see if we can expose ourselves again both within the extended family and wider public. We really feel that personal responsibility is paramount.

As soon as possible we will get a vaccine Booster dose (not sure how long that will take here in Bosnia and Herzegovina).

Future Intentions

If there has been one positive aspect during the past days of isolation, then that has to be having had the time to reflect.

Prior to isolation I had planned out what I wanted to achieve during the coming year, as far as the content I create about being an immigrant in Bosnia and Herzegovina would be.

When isolation started, I took some time to research potential topics and themes further. Why not? I had time.

It’s become a bit of a cliché I know, but I really did experience a “light bulb” moment, when it came to what platform would be the best.

To date, I have almost had a fixation with creating video content. With YouTube et al. Although I am at best, adequate, skills wise, video isn’t my strong suit.

That “Light Bulb” moment, was realising that my key skills lie with audio. After all, apart from my time as a soldier, I have been a broadcaster.

There really are precious few podcasts about Bosnia and Herzegovina, and that pretty empty space is where I can best make an impact to tell the stories I feel are needed to be told.

So in the coming weeks I’ll be pivoting away from video, (yes of course there will be the occasional uploads on YouTube), and doubling down on developing my podcast.

I hope you'll want to stay with me. At least at the start?

This newsletter/blog isn't going anywhere either.

Leave a comment

My current Balkan related podcasts are available from the tab in this blog or:

On Spotify

Apple Podcasts

Google Podcasts

Some Isolation Creativity from Tamara

👇OIL FREE HUMMUS👇

1 can chickpeas (240g cooked)

1/4 cup lemon juice

1/4 cup tahini

1 garlic clove (or more if you want)

8 green pitted olives

1/2 tsp cumin

1/4 cup aquafaba

Pinch of salt (optional)

Black pepper to taste

Garnish with chopped olives & red pepper flakes

❗Note: Peeling the chickpeas makes this humus extra creamy ❗

Place everything in a high speed blender and make a paste, if you want you can add more liquid to make it more smooth but I found this amount is perfect 😊👌

Enjoy!

Leave a comment

That’s it from us for this week.

Hoping that both Tamara and I will be back to a more “normal” way of life soon, and that we can once again start to update in what life is like for us here in the north of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

If you want to read back editions of the newsletter, listen to previous podcasts (we have quite an archive now), or catch other content, all this is available on the web interface, just like a regular blog.

Oh, and you can also share the newsletter with friends, relatives and colleagues using the button below.

Tamara and I appreciate your faithful readership, your comments, and your generosity! 

THANKS SO MUCH ❤️