Am I Leaving Bosnia? A Personal Reflection

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.If you don’t like listening to podcasts using Substack, then click the button below to find out all the alternatives.In this episode, I touch on local weather, our village life, and a significant political crisis. I share my concerns about the potential unrest following the conviction of the Bosnian Serb leader and the broader historical context that led to the current situation.I also delve into personal reflections on my life here with Tamara, contemplating the 'what ifs' that come with living in a region with a troubled past.Despite the challenges, I express a strong desire to stay and hope for stability.This is a raw and candid look at life in a country on edge, filled with personal anecdotes and historical insights.A Baby Boomer in Bosnia is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a subscriber.A Walk Through Uncertainty: Conversations Amidst the Whisper of Conflict. Conversations on UncertaintyIt’s Sunday, and as I start my walk, the sky is mostly grey, but a sliver of blue peeks through the horizon. Tamara and I often find ourselves discussing what if scenarios. Living in Bosnia and Herzegovina, uncertainty is never far from thought. The region’s past has been marked by cycles of turmoil, and though peace was established, the echoes of history never fully fade.Take Serbia, for example. Just recently, in Novi Sad, a newly renovated railway station’s roof collapsed. Not due to natural forces, but due to sheer negligence. A textbook case of political corruption. And corruption, no matter where in the world, has a predictable script: officials shuffle blame, accountability is dodged, and the people are left wondering if anything will ever change.Yet, amid all the dysfunction of power, I continue to admire the culture of family support here. Unlike political handshakes exchanged in secret, the helping hands within families and communities are genuine. These bonds run deep, far deeper than the political instability surrounding them.But when catastrophe strikes, like the station collapse in Novi Sad, people demand answers. The younger generations, in particular, don’t care about party affiliations. They just want things done right.Thanks for reading A Baby Boomer in Bosnia! This post is public so feel free to share it.Bosnia’s Fragile PeaceEven thirty years after the war ended, its scars do remain. The Dayton Agreement brokered peace, but it was never a permanent solution, more like a bandage covering a deep wound that keep falling off. Today, that bandage feels as though it’s peeling away for ever.Here in the Republika Srpska (RS), there are increasing murmurs of secession, of breaking away from Bosnia and Herzegovina and forming closer ties with Serbia. It’s a dangerous prospect, one that threatens to unravel what little stability exists. The RS President has been convicted of undermining the peace process. He refuses to accept that.The international community issues statements, but their resolve feels weak.And then, that word, that dreaded word resurfaces: WAR.Not in the immediate sense, but as a lingering whisper in conversations, an unspoken fear creeping into daily life. Yet, those in power insist they don’t want conflict.So, what comes next?Why We’ll StayWhen tensions rise, the instinct for many is to leave. Some friends have asked, “David, are you leaving?” And I understand their concern. But no, we’re staying.Tamara’s roots run deep here. She once lived in Canada as a refugee during the previous war, but now, she refuses to uproot again. Her Canadian passport remains a safeguard, but it’s not in any exit plan. It represents what was, not what will be.As for me, my British passport gives me options, but I don’t feel the pull to go. Despite the uncertainty, I choose to remain. This place, its rustic charm, its people, its complex history, IS my become home.The Stories We Leave BehindThere’s a rawness to sharing this part of my life. A walk, a recording, a podcast, it’s not polished, not scripted to fit a radio-style format. But it’s real. And perhaps, realness matters more than perfection.Years ago, I met Christian, an online acquaintance who became an unexpected guide in shaping my approach to storytelling. His words still resonate: authenticity over perfection. It’s a reminder that sometimes, the most compelling stories are the ones told simply, without overproduction.I’m also thinking about my grandchildren, scattered across the world, growing up in vastly different environments from mine. Maybe one day, they’ll listen to these recordings, and glimpse the life their grandfather lived in a small Bosnian village. Maybe they’ll wonder what paths they would take if faced with the same uncertainties.Let’s Keep the Conversation GoingIf this resonates with you, if you have thoughts, reflections, or even your own uncertainties about the world, I’d love to hear them. Join My Storytelling CommunityI’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 ThoughtsOver 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. Get full access to 🎙️ A Baby Boomer in Bosnia 🎧 at babyboomerinbosnia.substack.com/subscribe This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit coffeeandrakija.substack.com/subscribe