Comedy (And Moving) Is All About Timing
Thursday, June 25, 2009 at 9:44AM 
Ella even hates really good tomatoes.The last two weeks were busy and intense -- filled with excitement and goodbyes and sadness. If you include floors and plane seats we've slept in nine different beds. Little Motorboat the cat was safely delivered to her temporary home in Mill Valley. The house was cleaned and the carpets steamed. The security deposit was returned. Both cars were sold -- (the van two hours before we left for the airport). The last belongings were packed away, given away and sadly, some were thrown away. Given more time we would have found more homes for more things, but there were some items Salvation Army wouldn't take, so our dumpster runneth over. It felt bad at the time to be throwing away some of the stuff that we did, but we simply ran out of time and friends who had room for anything else. I knew that somewhere there was someone who'd be happy to have what I was tossing.
Those feelings really sunk in when, on our first morning in Belgrade, we went to the local neighborhood outdoor market. In addition to beautiful fruit and vegetables, fresh eggs and homemade cheese, much of what was for sale was more worse for wear than the entire contents of my dumpster. There were parts of parts of old electronics, lone spoons, a TV antenna with one prong left. If something was found to have any life left in it, it was being resold and repurposed. No one would have known what I meant if I said that they were being "Green," and I doubt they would have cared much. They're just doing what it takes to make a living.
The dicotomy of things we covet, like wonderfully fresh, locally grown and crafted food, and the things we take for granted all in one place was striking.
Belgrade is a singular city: lively, confident, worldly, and also sentimental, gritty, even melancholy. We can't wait to see more.
Reader Comments (8)
So glad to hear you're all safe and well. Looking forward to more updates. And lord knows, I love Ella, but she's out of her beautiful little head. Those tomatoes look incredible. I want to eat them all. Right now. I would even buy that lone spoon in order to do so.
Big Hugs.
mmmm, a nice post.
More-More-I want MORE!!!!!!!!!Brew-ha-haaaaaaaa
Hi Redpaths,
Love what you're doing! I live in Belgrade w/ my 9 yr old son and we are in the midst of planning a move to the other end of the world by the end of this year. We would love to show you around town while you're here so feel free to drop me an email anytime! Oh, and do avoid Belgrade's suburbs when it's raining... just trust me on this one:)
Good luck and enjoy the sites!
Take comfort in knowing there are plenty of dumpster divers, I'm sure many of your things were rescued!!!! Enjoy the tomatoes!! (and Ella, I'm sure you'll find some yummy fruit!!! : )
Dear Redpaths,
We have recently wrapped up a version of the journey you have been on for a while now. Even though your actual travels have just begun, as you well know "the trip" started long ago when you made your decision.
We are back home now after a year of planning and ten months on the road. And the view from this side of the divide is interesting - I suppose we are still sorting it out.
I can tell you this: You will never regret having made this decision - it is very likely to be the best thing you will ever do together as a family.
When we were starting our trip, another family just returning emailed me. They said: "Enjoy every day, because nothing lasts forever." And so I pass that advice on to you and wish you all the best.
It is absolutely worth all the work it takes to make it happen.
Best,
Craig James
www.thewidewideworld.com
That part of europe is less hectic and affortable, I will follow you guys traveling around since I am not able to do it now! be safe.
Jessica
Bob, your Tomatoes are still better looking than mine! LOL :)...... darn you! Get some rest buddy and give our best to your family.....
The Hamilton's