in my building, the new challenge has become: quick, flip on the light switch at the front door and then try to make it up the stairs, turn the key around and around (there's a complicated, semi-medieval looking lock system in which each sequential rotation of the equally archaic, comically large key moves the system of 4 bars further outward and more securely into the doorframe. there have, apparently, been a rash of break-ins and these sort of locks are nearly impossible to subvert. only slightly less difficult would be leaving the house in a crisis involving flames or chasing), and step into apartment before the light (which is on a timer) clicks off. the success rate is rising, even while carrying a suitcase (i need to transfer contents of The Box, sigh, so as to reduce bosnia/serbia border crossing snags on monday). this fun and social game, however, has yet to sweep the nation and, at the time of publication, i seem to be the only one running up and down.

there's construction going on all over the city, so it's difficult to run. each site seems to be almost arbitrarily hung around with warning tape; is there *really* a danger of "high voltage" here, on one corner, and "gas" on an adjacent dug-out site? either this is an exercise in creative efficient dealing with a possible random plastics surplus—or a rather profound commentary on the human condition: if everything and everyplace is equally hazardous, then it doesn't matter how you mark it. the eastern european response to what could just as easily (and has, elsewhere) translate into a culture of fear.

even, and especially, on sidewalks where construction is not striking bewilderment into the hearts of pedestrians, there are many other dangers lurking. namely, being hit by cars trying to park on said sidewalk. apparently the shortages have reached levels hitherto unknown. all i can say is: ptl these cars are tiny (a resounding theme of joy!), because otherwise everything would be That Much Worse. although the narrative redemption inherent in "girl narrowly avoids run-[over] with police [car] on sidewalk of sarajevo" covers a multitude of auto sins.

walked around city some more this morning. as a certified slave to the camera, i went back to get some material that i was unable to pilfer last night because of the darkness and the inadequacy of my flash. saw the university of sarajevo campus.

only had to be at MCC in the afternoon, to meet individually with randy and amela. we talked finances and job-related stuffs. i think i have a shot at the lucrative "most frugal MCC worker this world has ever known." i think this will be my goal. however, museums and experiential foods will be included—that's final and i don't want to hear any whining.

this evening i decided to learn serbian/croatian (henceforth referred to as: That Language) solely through turbofolk on the radio. this could save MCC a lot of money (see above) and, besides, i will then be (in addition to the credentials above) their worker with the most annoying and epileptic beat; i think my potential just needs to be realised.

over at randy and amela's for dinner—with the fretzes (clark, heather, boys) and jen and nate (who work in prijedor, about 4 hours northwest of sarajevo), who drove down to meet us. all in all, good fellowship.