Today has been long and it's not close to over. At 1AM, Florian, Alex, and I hopped into the car to head to Serbia. It is a twelve hour drive. I got in the car and promptly slept for the next five hours. The rest of the car ride consisted of some reading, Alex teaching me small Serbian phrases, music, and gazing out the window. I didn't take many pictures of Austria and Hungary. Honestly, picture green fields and there you have it. Let me demonstrate. 
We went through the border, stamped the passport, and arrived in Serbia around 2PM. Driving past more lushous green fields, we headed towards Novi Sad. Alex's family lives there. We would be staying with David, Alex's cousin. First however, we stopped at Alex's father's house. He lives east of Novi Sad, in a smaller "village".
We arrived and I realized I couldn't even say hello. I practiced the words Alex taught me. These words were received with a very patient smile. Let me explain first, Alex speaks English very well. However, Florian and him speak German most of the time. And upon arriving in Serbia I began to realize, when Florian didn't understand the Serbian, it was switched back to German. I really should have saved my quote about smiling till now!
We went in the house and sat down. Alex's father got us cups for water while Alex poured the water from a container. Alex informed me that this area gets their water from a fountain in the middle of town. Driving back I did my best to snag a picture. But it didn't turn out to well. Hopefully, I'll get a better one when we go back. Apparently that drive happens a lot.
Florian translated for me as I was asked if I would like some coffee. Boy, would I! He began to make me a cup of coffee. He asked, in German, if I wanted milk. Florian told him no, and then continued to translate for me how Alex's father was convinced I need to try milk in my coffee- it's the best milk. He gave me a small cup to try. Sure enough, amazing. So he made me a full size cup with milk. I sat and enjoyed it as Serbian mixed with German was thrown around the room. But a smile must speak all languages because I think that man is amazing. He has a very kind soul- it radiates from him. I never understood one word he said, but I knew he was a good person for sure.
Afterwards, the three of us headed back to Novi Sod. Upon arriving at David's house, my shoes were not off before I was asked if I needed food. I said "not starving." Which was heard as I was starving, and out the door we went again. We went to a little restaurant that is one of David's favorites.
David ordered for Florian and I since reading the menu was a joke for us. The plate arrived with fries, and fried sausages wrapped in bacon. Oh my goodness... Mmmmm! Then a cucumber and tomato salad with cheese on top of that. Then, as a side, was bread for everyone. It, as Florian said, is real bread. And there is where my ribs have begun to hurt from eating more than my little stomach can handle. Whew!
Driving home, as I tried to take pictures out the window, David made Florian pull over next to a church. Since it was closed, we will go back again later. But I did snag some pictures. 
Tonight, is the Orthodox New Year. We will go to the main part of Novi Sod and watch fireworks. I asked if there was a main event like the ball drop and got some blank looks. Oh America... You and your traditions. So, I'm sure I'll have good stories tomorrow. As for now, safely in Serbia! Vidimo se!
Great post, keep them coming. Looked up on the SPOT location, for those who don't know this is the northern part of Serbia, on the Danube River. Just to the north is Hungary, east Romania, west Croatia, southwest Bosnia. It is about an hour north of Belgrade. Rebecca, which guy is Alex?
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