This is one of the largest Eastern Orthodox churches in Europe. The dome is 39 meters across and was televised worldwide as cranes lifted it and placed it in position. It is paid for by Serbian people everywhere and has been a long time in the making. The inside is huge, but in need of acres of mosaics on the walls and other finishing touches.

From there we went to a hotel for refreshments and then to the Kalemegdan Fortress which has tried to protect Belgrade - often unsuccessfully - through the ages. This town has been completely razed and rebuilt 44 times. They told us to throw our maps away, because the next time we come back , the names will have changed on the street signs. One restaurant is name "?" Because it didn't want to b changing its name all the time. There were several buildings that were left with bombed out sections in memory of the brutal past. We were told how early on defense was just having a wall the enemy couldn't climb over, the. With gun powder the wall needed to be thick to be protective. After WWI with the event of aviation, walls were no longer protective and so it goes on and on. I can see nothing that has been of value from all this bloodshed, but my heart aches for all the families and dreams that have been shattered by it.

A retiree would make a bout $250 a month. Often their children move in with them to help pay for utilities, etc.Even though close family situations can cause friction, they have been cherished during the devastating times the people of Serbia have endured.

Tomorrow we go through the Iron Gate - no WiFi, so I'll see you on Friday! Hope we have some mail awaiting from you!!!