Week five in Zlatibor has been full of adventures, both near and far. Lucas took a quick two-night trip to Belgrade with his friends to meet Jacob, who’s visiting us for the week. Lucas met Jacob a couple of months ago at Speak Teens, but Jake and Jacob have known each other practically since birth—one of those friendships that feels more like family.
Belgrade was abuzz while they were there, with protests happening downtown. The teens handled it like seasoned travelers—sticking to the tourist areas, avoiding trouble spots, and making sure to be back indoors by dark. They squeezed in some sightseeing between bus rides and catching up with Jacob, who was jet-lagged but thrilled to have arrived. Our teens aren’t all about the pictures, so we only got a few selfies while they were away.
Back in Zlatibor, life continues to feel settled into a pleasant routine: mornings filled with calisthenics in the fresh mountain air, afternoons of art projects, and evenings just hanging out. We celebrated another birthday (August is a big birthday month). Gabe turned 17, and we celebrated with a group Bunco night! Bunco is always a crowd pleaser, and everyone was able to play.
But of course, we can’t sit still too long—this week we explored some of Zlatibor’s gems. We visited Stopića Cave, with its massive limestone halls and cascading tufa pools. We also wandered through Sirogojno, the open-air museum village where 19th-century wooden cottages have been preserved to show how people lived in the old Zlatibor highlands. Walking through it feels like stepping into a living history book. Next stop was Gostilje Waterfall. It’s a spot locals love in summer, and we can see why. Henry enjoyed climbing beside the waterfall with friends. We all loved getting out and seeing the countryside.
Meanwhile, our Zlatibor dogs had their own “adventure” this week when the kids tried to bathe them. The dogs firmly disagreed with the plan, so what began as dog-washing turned into a wild sprinkler party and an impromptu ice-cold bucket challenge.
With Jacob here, the house is full of laughter, art supplies, and the occasional sore muscle from too many push-ups. We’re still loving this slower pace of life. Here’s to more mountain air, more art, and a few fewer soggy dogs in the weeks to come.
