Sarajevo Trip

picture Copyright (c) 2001, Mia Mattsson-Mercer

After six years I returned to Sarajevo (BiH) bringing my own family with me to show them "my Bosnian family" who took great care of me for many wonderful ways during my stay there between 2000-2002. It was a fantastic trip in many ways! My wonderful family that had always believed in me and coached me, welcomed my own family with loving, open arms.

Sarajevo had changed so much! And that's for the better. A very positive atmosphere was in the air, beautiful cafe's and restaurants (the food has always been great). Clean and green, and people walked in fashionable clothing, colorful buildings. Nature so incredably beautiful.

Coming back to where we live in Campania was much like the shock we experienced when we first got here a year ago. Trash and rude drivers, and strays made this area look like Bosnia circa 2000. (I love the people here --- it is the surroundings that bother me). The politicians and residents of Campania should be ashamed! Bosnia went through a devistating civil war, after generations of Socialist rule but have taken charge and are taking care of their cities and environment.

Back in 2000-02, while living in Bosnia, I found out about the horrible situation that Sarajevo Zoo had had during the war and after. The brown bear, Mrki was stuck in a horrible situation. In a small cage with concrete floor, it looked like a cage from the Crusades in the Middle East!

His world was a small 4 x 4 meter cage with rats as his companions, and people tormenting him by poking him through the cage door.

Sometimes some young people could be stupid and throw in firecrackers into his cage. They loved to see him dance, or like one man whom poked his umbrella stick in Mrki's nose.

Mrki and I had became wonderful friends. I could scratch his ears, and he always danced when I arrived together with my translator.

Animals without Limits (AWL) wanted to help, but failed after a charity event in Germany for Mrki's new home, the lawyer and his friends took the money and disappeared.

I also contacted other organizations in the world asking for help, they said they would look into it. I never heard anything back.

Some people in Sweden said, "shoot the bear!"

I couldn't handle that we had failed. It was a devastating feeling saying good-bye to my friend, and leaving him to go back to Sweden. I became depressed. AWL took a pause!

This time, back in Sarajevo, with a hard knot in my stomach I asked about the Zoo, "Was it still open?"

I didn't want to see Mrki, afraid that all the sad memories would return. I felt ashamed and sad!

And, would he recognize me after all these years? So many questions.

These are the Amore bear questions!

More to follow