You're Going Where?

Montenegro. The Balkans. You know, part of the former Yugoslavia. That last part helps a little, but I can tell by the expression on people's faces when I tell them where I am teaching English as a Second Language for a few weeks this summer that they really aren't sure where this is. I get it. So lets start with that.

Now I could just post a map here but hey, you could just Google that on your own. And since I am a teacher, well, maybe I can teach you something. Can you picture Italy? Can you imagine a map of this area in your mind? Looking at Italy, you know it's shaped like a knee-high boot, if you look to the left there is France. For those more geographically inclined, France is the the West of Italy.  Ahh, the south of France, Nice, Montepelier, Carcasonne-- the sites of some of my previous European excursions. Magnifique!

But Montenegro is to the East of Italy, or to the right when you look at the map in your mind. Directly East is the Adriatic Sea. If you travel your eyes down Italy's boot, just north of the heel, then travel across this sea to the opposite coast you will find the small country of Montenegro. There is the coastline-- ahh magnifique!-- with the bordering countries Albania, Kosovo, Serbia, Bosnia-Herzegovenia, and Croatia surrounding this up and coming tourist destination. Croatia, with its long coastline, medieval towns, and film sites for Game of Thrones, has been quite the hotspot for the last few years. Yet I say look out Croatia-- your time is waning as the new place to be is none other than Montenegro or as the translation depicts "black mountain".

My first view of Montenegro from the plane as we approached the capital Podgorica hardly does the mountains and countryside justice, but not to worry dear readers, I will have much more to share in the coming weeks!