Life in Bosnia: Want to Go for a Coffee?

Life in Bosnia: Want to Go for a Coffee?

This article was submitted by ISA BELLE, a Dutch student studying in Mostar, Herzegovina.

“Do you want to go for a coffee with me next week” is what people in Holland like to say. In Bosnia, no one will ever say this to you. Going for a coffee here is not something you plan to do. You go for a coffee when you meet a friend, acquaintance or someone you have not seen for years on the street. Furthermore, according to Bosnian culture, going for a coffee means so much more than just going for a cup of coffee.

It means enjoying good company by celebrating friendship and having a good conversation, even small talk about the weather or whatever you want. Going for a coffee is a part of the Bosnian culture; you cannot get away from it. As soon as the sun comes out after a long and cold weather, terraces are set up again, and they are immediately full of people.

So if you are in Bosnia, you should go and enjoy this cup of black liquid delight. People show their inner selves sin a coffee bar, and they come to life.
It is not difficult to find coffee shops as they are everywhere, from tiniest villages to smallest alleys. Often small and cozy ones offer the best cakes to eat with your coffee. Not only are Bosnians amazing at making coffee, but they are also brilliant at making cakes as well. And for this craftsmanship, you do not have to pay much at all. Usually, you pay only 1KM for a simple coffee (kava) or tea (caj) if you prefer the familiar taste of tea over the bitterness of Turkish coffee and up to 2 KM for a cappuccino. Don’t forget cakes (kolac) as they cost not more than 2 KM