We left Belgrade around 9 a.m. for a six hour bus trip to Prishtina across southern Serbia and north/central Kosovo. I really enjoyed the opportunity to view the countryside and the various towns and villages. As we approached the Kosovo border, the terrain became more mountainous and it reminded me of my beloved Blue Ridge mountains in Virginia and North Carolina. (see photo)
We experienced no delays or problems with the border crossing, but we did run into a few rough roads on the Serbian side of the border.

During our lunch stop at a fast food restaurant, Orli Fridman (SIT Director) ran into a group of women representing the Dah Theatre and the Women in Black organization in Belgrade. While talking with them, we discovered that Dorothy Holland brought them to University of Richmond around two years ago. A true small world experience!

Upon our arrival in Prishtina, we met with the local SIT director, Yll Buleshkaj, for an orientation to current conditions in Kosovo and to review our itinerary for the next few days. We then had a tour of the city, stopping at the American University of Prishtina and at various memorials and landmarks. Prishtina is a lively city and full of young people. (The average age in Kosovo is 26.) Our day ended with a traditional Albanian meal in an outdoor restaurant and we were happy to have UR alumna Caitlin Smith ('07) join us for dinner. She is currently teaching math and physics in an American School in Kosovo.