During my trip from Split to Mostar, I encountered quite the adventure. I had to switch buses in a small Croatian town in the dead of night, with just a minute to spare between arrivals and departures according to the timetable. When I informed the first bus driver in Split about catching the last bus in that town, he transformed into a rally driver, making the journey a roller-coaster ride that left many passengers feeling queasy. The bus roared up the mountains from the coast to the heartland, resulting in a shaky, stomach-churning experience that led to a few unfortunate incidents of people getting sick.
Regrettably, it was my request for speed that contributed to this discomfort. However, thanks to the driver's determined driving, I reached the exchange point 10 minutes ahead of schedule and managed to catch the last bus of the night. At the border between Croatia and Bosnia, the driver of the second bus employed a less-than-honest tactic. He collected our passports, took them to the border police, and returned them after we'd entered the country. This maneuver left me without a necessary entry stamp.
Upon arrival in Mostar, the ordeal continued as the second bus driver abruptly kicked me off at the wrong stop. I found myself trekking through the city late at night, walking over the iconic bridge and up the hill. Little did I know, this challenging experience would mark the beginning of my transformation into a minimalist.
As for Mostar itself, it holds a rich history. This picturesque city in Bosnia and Herzegovina boasts the iconic Stari Most bridge, a 16th-century Ottoman marvel that stood for centuries before being destroyed during the Bosnian War. The city's diverse architecture reflects its past as a meeting point for different cultures and civilizations. Mostar has been influenced by Roman, Ottoman, and Austro-Hungarian rule, creating a captivating blend of styles. The scars of the war are also evident in the city, making it a place of reflection and resilience.