;)
This post really dates back to July 6 when we went to the Rtanj Mountain festival, but I just got a chance to put the music files together that I recorded of the band. They're an awesome trumpet band called Timocani and when you listen to them play (and yes -- drink still more rakija) it's hard not to feel just a little Serbian.
The Rtanj Festival started as a religious celebration, and morphed into a celebration of the flowering;)
season on Rtanj Mountain, near Sokobanja. Rtanj is famous for the plants that only grow on that particular mountain. They are used for medicinal teas and oils and other things -- including wreaths for girls big and small. People from all the surrounding villages hop in cars, or on tractors and ride up the mountain -- some to pick flowers, and some to party. Some camp out the night before -- some arrive the day of. So if you happen to have a lamb roasting on a spit;)
and a bottle of homemade plum brandy nearby, you can listen to these recordings of Timocani and have your own Rtanj festival wherever you are right now.
;)
Timocani in action -- I dare you not to tap your foot... ;)
...or climb on the table and dance!