The Bosnian Mindset

Welcome to the world of a "Baby Boomer in Bosnia," (me), a podcast from a spirited 70+ something British immigrant, whose plan is to take you along as I navigate life in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

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In this episode, I navigate the challenges of reading your comments and reviews across various platforms. I discuss an insightful question from one of my listeners, Carlos, specifically delving into the cultural contrasts between Eastern Europe and the Western world.

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Embracing the Bosnian Mindset, A Journey of Cultural Discovery

I still remember the day, it was September the 18th 1998. I arrived in Banja Luka. It was very cold, the air was crisp, the streets full of garbage, everything totally grey and a long way from everything familiar. I had come from a world of double-decker buses, fish and chips, and a culture that prizes individuality and efficiency. And suddenly, I found myself in a place where none of that seemed to matter in the same way. Looking back now, more than two decades later, I realise just how much that journey has changed me.

At first, understandably, I saw everything through Western eyes. The language was unfamiliar, having two alphabets even more so, and the rhythm of life seemed somehow out of sync with what I knew. But there were also surprising similarities. European fashion, familiar brand names (albeit it at the time fake) in the shops, and shared tastes in food. I remember thinking, “This place isn’t all that different.” I even half-joked to myself that it felt a bit like how I imagined Soviet Russia might have been, not in a negative way, but in the sense of being starkly structured and a little mysterious. I was curious, maybe even a bit cautious, but definitely intrigued.

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Peeling Back the Layers

But, of course, first impressions never ever tell the whole story. As I spent more time here, the surface began to peel away. What I found beneath was something far richer and warmer than I’d ever expected. A deeply rooted culture built on community, family, and a kind of slow living that has all but vanished in much of the West.

What struck me most was the sheer hospitality. It didn’t matter whether someone was a Serb, a Croat, a Bosniak, Jewish, or Roma, people really were welcoming in a way I hadn’t experienced before. Doors opened, coffee was poured, and conversations started, often with a smile and a plate of sliced meats and cheeses or homemade cake, maybe with a glass of Rakija too.There’s a quiet generosity here, a cultural instinct to include rather than exclude.

Family at the Centre

One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned living here is about the role of family, and I don’t mean just parents and children. The idea of community extends far beyond the traditional family unit. It’s about cousins, neighbours, school friends, and even the people who live down the street and wave to you each morning, even if they really don’t know you.

Elders are revered. Age is respected. Parents retain an important voice in the lives of their grown-up children, often well into middle age.

That really surprised me.

Coming from the UK, I grew up in a society where independence is almost sacred.We’re encouraged to move out young, to make our own way, to be self-sufficient.Here, it’s different, and in many ways, it’s super. Having said that I still feel frustrated with it at the same time.However, there’s comfort in knowing that you’re part of something bigger, something that will catch you if you stumble.

Holding Onto Home

Having said all the above, I haven’t abandoned all my Western habits. Each morning starts the same way it always has. With a strong cup of Yorkshire tea. It’s a small ritual, but it reminds me of home. And yes, I still crave a good Sunday roast now and then, and I’ll never say no to Marmite on toast (though that’s still met with confused looks around here). These small comforts from my past help me stay grounded while I navigate the joys and challenges of life in this corner of the world.

Finding Peace in the Pace

But if there’s one thing I’ve come to truly love, something I never anticipated, it’s the pace of life.

There’s a slowness here that’s not laziness but intention. Life unfolds gently. People take time. A single coffee can last an hour or more. Conversations aren’t rushed.

You stop and chat. You listen. You laugh. Whether I’m walking through the village or sitting outside a café in the city, there’s a sense of presence, of living in the moment, that I’ve come to cherish.

I’ve learned to savour things in a way I never did before. A walk through the fields, The wonderful Dawn Chorus from the many species of birds here in the garden in the early morning, the smell of woodsmoke curling out of chimneys in winter, these simple experiences carry more weight now.

I’ve slowed down. And in slowing down, I’ve seen more. Felt more. Connected more.

An Invitation to Discover

If you’ve ever wondered what it might be like to live differently, to see life through a different lens, I’d wholeheartedly encourage you to explore this part of the world. It’s not just about the landscapes (though they are stunning) or the food (which is exceptional), but about the people and the pace. About being somewhere that challenges your assumptions and asks you to reconsider what really matters.

This journey has been as much about discovering others as it has been about rediscovering myself. And the longer I stay, the more I realise I’m still learning—still unravelling the threads of what it means to be part of this rich and complex region.

Let’s Keep the Conversation Going

So, if anything in this story resonates with you, if you’ve had similar experiences or are curious about this part of the world, please do reach out. I’d love to hear your thoughts, your stories, your questions.

Until then, wherever you are, I hope you find moments to pause, connect, and appreciate the world around you. There’s beauty in both the East and the West, and perhaps the greatest gift is learning to embrace the best of both.

Join My Storytelling Community

I’d love to know who’s listening and where you’re from. If you have a spare moment, send me an email with your name and location. I’d like to create a Google map marking all the places where my listeners are tuning in from, building a global storytelling community.

If there’s anything you’d like to know about me or Bosnia, feel free to reach out. I also have a blog where I share additional insights about my life here.

Final Thoughts

Over time, this podcast might even take priority over my video content. The goal is to create an archive of my life for future generations, but in the process, I hope to entertain and inform you along the way.Thank you for listening. Stay safe, and as we say here in Bosnia, Vidimo se opet, we’ll see each other again.

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