Monday, December 21, 2009

Preparing for Sarajevo

We are completing the requirements for travel to Bosnia. The Bosnian government requires that visitors get a full medical exam with a detailed form that the doctor has to fill out and sign. We also had to get fingerprinted and have the State Police submit a letter certifying that we are not wanted criminals! These documents have to be submitted to an office in Sarajevo within 24 hours of arrival in order to be issued a visa. We have been told that someone from the US embassy in Sarajevo will meet us at the airport and take us directly to the correct office to make sure this process is completed smoothly. We don't want to be expelled from Bosnia because we lacked some document or missed the deadline.

After sending the detailed list of apartments the rental agent has disappeared. No response to our questions, no further communication. There is another Fulbrighter in Sarajevo now that we have been in contact with. He contacted the rental agent on our behalf and reported back that they are reluctant to hold any apartment unless we make a deposit. The apartment we would prefer doesn't mention having internet access, so we're reluctant to make a deposit on it. We are considering just making a hotel reservation and planning to stay there for 2 or more days while we have a chance to look at available apartments when we arrive. Then we will know for sure if the apartment will be suitable.