“Evacuation of the Japanese”, Sarajevo
Monday, October 3rd, 2005“Evacuation of the Japanese” – The group rescue campaign.
Travelling from Mostar to Sarajevo by train saw the formation of a small and motley band of travellers. Joanne and myself, Kimoko (a Japanese girl now living in Australia), Emily (a Melbournian), Fiona (another Melbournian, although currently residing O/S), Dan the Kiwi (introduced us to the phrase “Having a moose!”), and Shin (Japanese photographer). Arriving at Sarajevo railway station saw the group fragment. Joanne and I went to a private accomodation. Shin and Kimoko (who are not a couple, but happened to have already met the night before) were being met to go to another private accomodation, and the others went to a downtown hostel. There were apparently some problems about the accomodation Shin and Kimoko were being taken to – the lady was trying to explain something, but in the end, the travellers decided they could work out whatever problems there were.
Soon after settling in, Joanne and I met up with the hostelling trio, and the five of us spent the morning visiting sights, trying to avoid the rain. Suddenly, Kimoko and Shin appeared, and while Shin had his ever-composed expression on, Kimoko gave away that something wasn’t right. She threw her arms around Jo, and stated that “everything is awful”. And not just that somebody stole her umbrella, and the drizzling rain. Over coffee, the full story came out. The appallingly bad accomodation and its location. The woman who was very touchy with Shin, and kept asking him personal questions (“So, do you have a girlfriend?”) The lady had photos of herself with other Japanese men, all looking uncomfortable, while she beamed with her arm around them. Then it clicked for Shin. He had been warned. Warned about the Sarajevo woman who has a “thing” for Japanese men. Suddenly feeling like he was in some sort of bad dream (or bad movie), he and Kimoko felt a bit trapped. Perhaps partly trapped because of Japanese dignity, as they had agreed already to stay there, and didn’t feel they could change their minds. Surely it wouldn’t be so bad, since they could look out for each other?
So, they decided to do some sight-seeing. The place was 20 minutes drive from the centre. They saw some of Sarajevo before coming across the five of us. Now, with alternatives in front of them, the Japanese pair determined that they should not stay there. Encouraged by us, Kimoko and Shin went with Jo and Dan to secure an alternative place to stay. And then, Dan and I went back with them to recover their belongings. Sending in the heavies. As it turned out, we were not required, as the lady in question was not home. However, I’m glad that I had opportunity to see the mad place. The front door looked like it had been broken into a few times, and was padded on the inside. The pantry was empty, the kitchen was empty, the first living room was entirely bare – not one item in the room or on the walls. Only one room had anything in it. A couch, a small table, a fireplace, and a few other small items of furniture. This for Shin, Kimoko, and the host. Thankfully the evacuation went smoothly, and we celebrated afterwards.
Celebration of a successful mission.
Richard and Jo