29. -31.8.2022 - Banja Luka

Banja Luka is located in the middle of northern Bosnia on the Vrbas River. Our campsite is located 12 km south on this very river. Finally, you can go swimming in the river from the campsite, which we do right after the sweaty setup.

On the day of arrival, we just relax at the campsite. The next day, Katja is sick with a stomach bug, and we suspect it's from drinking tap water, so we switch to bottled water. In any case, any activities are canceled. Katja spends the day lying around with stomach cramps, and I'm programming.

The next day, Katja is feeling better and we go by bike to Banja Luka. Since the war, mostly Bosnian Serbs have been living here. I am spared the muezzin at five in the morning, although some of the mosques that were destroyed during the war have been rebuilt.

Lara gave me 'Origin' by Saša Stanišić to read, which I dutifully do. Stanišić comes from Višegrad, another Serbian village in eastern Bosnia. Since the war, hardly any Muslims have been living there either. If you want to understand the country better, I recommend reading it.