Traveling to a new part of the planet is always a very exciting thing for me. I always start getting this little BUZZ feeling way down in my gut a few weeks before I leave. I try to be as prepared as possible, but there are always things I neglect to think of.
Electrical ……
One thing in Serbia that is very different for American tourists is the electrical connection. The United States uses 110 volts while Serbia uses 220 volts. Electrical wall outlets in the USA are made for three posts to enter. You have a positive, negative and a ground. Check the pictures below….
American outlet
While Serbian outlets are round and made for two circular plugs to enter. See the picture below..
Serbian outlet
..It is very easy to find the electrical converter here in Serbia. The majority of electrical stores offer them. I bought this one
110v to 220v adapter
for 200 Dinars or about $2.50 in Kragujevac.
Another big difference I noticed was that the light switch was on the OUTSIDE of the bathroom!!!!
typical Serbian bathroom outlet that is on the OUTSIDE of the bathroom
I still find myself walking into the bathroom and looking for the switch! I can imagine the fun I would have had if this was a normal thing in the USA. You could shut the light off on your brother while he is in the shower. I think they do it for safety reasons. It is still annoying for me after all this time in Serbia.
Water Heaters…..
small waterheater that is in a bathroom and kitchen.
You might also notice that many of the older homes still have a little water heater in the corner of the bathroom and in the kitchen. You might have to turn on the water heater 20 or 30 minutes prior to getting into the shower, BUT be careful. The water gets so hot it will burn you! Most US homes have a large water heater that heats the water for the whole house and is always running on either gas or electric. It is usually hidden in a separate room. The Serbian way is much more cost-effective and I don’t know why it isn’t used as much in the USA.
Laundry……
The worst thing for me is the lack of dryers in Serbian homes. It is very rare to walk into an American home and not see a washer and a dryer. Serbian homes almost NEVER have a dryer. The vast majority of homes have a clothes line hanging outside and dry their clothes on it to preserve energy. This is a pain for a guy like me. I am the guy that likes to decide what to wear at the last-minute and if it is dirty…. wash it and throw in the dryer to dry and take the wrinkles out. That won’t be happening here. It is also difficult to find a laundromat. They do have a few in the larger towns but the smaller towns don’t.
Passport and Visa…..
Americans DO NOT need to do anything prior to flying to Serbia. Once you arrive at the Belgrade Tesla Airport you will receive a stamp on your passport that is good for 90 days. It is free of charge and most of the time the custom officials will ask you nothing. A few times I have been pulled to the side and asked where I was going, who I was staying with, etc. I just said that I was a tourist and didn’t have all that info. They are friendlier than American custom police. 🙂 It is always advisable to head to the American Embassy to register your stay. You don’t need to do it, but they will take your email, phone, etc and keep you up to date on any activities that might jeopardise you safety. Their address , phone number, etc can be found on their website http://serbia.usembassy.gov/hours-of-operation.html
Serbia also requires that you go to the local police station within 24 hours of your stay. If you are staying at a hotel, they do it for you. If you are staying with a friend or get an apartment, you must take the owner of the home with you. They will issue you a white registration card. You must keep it with you at all times. Serbian police can stop anyone on the street and ask for your identification. If you don’t have it you can be in trouble. They will ask for the white card if you leave the Serbian borders. Many times they haven’t even looked at mine, but better safe than sorry.
Junk Food….
Serbia doesn’t have the large selection of chips, candy bars, soda and snack food that we have. They have lots of different chocolate products, but they lack in the other fields. Maybe that is why you don’t see lots of fat people lumbering down the streets. LOL! I really miss Doritos!!!!
Doritos… American chips
They have their own brand that rules the market in Serbia. It is called Chipsy..
Serbian chips
You will also have a hard time finding Dr Pepper, Cherry Coke, Cherry 7-UP, and Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups. I am an addict so I have looked everywhere for them. 🙂
If you must have them, bring them from home! 🙂
Serbian Women…..
Gorgeous Serbian gals
Before visiting Serbia it would be wise to exercise your neck. You will find yourself turning in awe at the gorgeous ladies that line the streets of Serbia. The majority are tall, very well dressed, beautiful jaw lines, long legs, very confident and sweet personalities. You will very rarely find a Serbian women that will walk out of the house without first going through an hour-long make up and primping session. hahaahah…
Think ahead!!! 🙂 You will enjoy Serbia all the same. Just a few tips to help you cope !! Serbia is the jewel of the Balkans. Long live Serbia!!!!!
Serbia through American eyes 
Vukasin
June 8, 2013 at 3:58 pm
Useful advices, without a doubt.
I would add a few that might prove convenient as well. For example, internet availability throughout Serbia. I d say what i think and compare it with a few countries, but it may be best that you make your own observation and compare it with internet in the US.
Also, fast food and restaurants availability, diversity and average cost. Again, from your POV.
Supply of the local grocery stores and markets, both in terms of fresh food, fruits and vegetables, special type of food not found on many other places (like the local jogurt, which is rather different than what yogurt is like around the globe), etc.
Prices of transportation maybe as well.
Prices of alcohol, coffee and tea in the pubs and clubs.
Great post anyhow! 🙂
cather76
June 8, 2013 at 4:24 pm
great points, my friend…. i mentioned some of them in different posts.. I will make another tips post.. thanks for reading and for your great advice…
Godfather93
June 8, 2013 at 4:08 pm
Hey, bro, try “Chipsy Hot” it’s the most delicious chips i’ve ever tasted 😀 I’m seriously addicted to it, probably have eaten more than 500 bags so far.. hahahah 😀
cather76
June 8, 2013 at 4:23 pm
ahahhah.. how much do you weigh??? 🙂
Godfather93
June 8, 2013 at 5:07 pm
Ahahaha, i didn’t eat ’em in just one month 😀 I’m not fat, if that’s your point 😀
Sergio
June 8, 2013 at 4:11 pm
Serbia is a beautiful country. But it has its downsides. I think the biggest problems are poverty, unemployment and nationalism (especially among young people).
cather76
June 8, 2013 at 4:22 pm
totally agree, brother….
Sergio
June 8, 2013 at 4:32 pm
Unfortunately most southeastern European countries have similar problems as Serbia. These countries are: Hungary, Slovakia, Slovenia, Croatia, Macedonia, Bulgaria, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Romania, Greece, Moldova, etc.
ParadoxGentleman
June 8, 2013 at 5:27 pm
I agree with you on unemployment and poverty, but I can not agree with nationalism because the definition of nationalism is distorted. Nationalism is not bad thing at all until there is dark agenda, to make my point, will you love some other family more than you`re own? I dodn`t think so.
I`m nationalist, orthodox nationalist, and that is love for you`re people with orthodox teaching, and there says that you have to have love for you`re frineds, neighbors, ect. and you need to protect you`re own from evil.
There is nothing wrong whit that. I can say that yung people who think of them self as nationalist are not, they are just unemployed yung people with lots of frustations in them, negative energy…
Dejan
June 8, 2013 at 4:24 pm
lol what is Clinton`s ads doing on the bottom of this post ? 😀 hahah
Anyway, great post for your American friends, they do need a tip like this.Good job
Milovan
June 8, 2013 at 5:13 pm
Yea… our women are whores, who are too cool and beautiful to live in a village or to give birth to any child. That is why in 50 years there will be no more Serbia or Serbs.
FACT!
MK
June 10, 2013 at 5:30 am
Way to just generalise all Serbian women…Don’t know who you’ve been dating, but all of my girl friends are amazing and a few of them have already gotten married/given birth, so…please stop with the slut/women shaming :DV
Peace!
cather76
June 10, 2013 at 6:19 pm
huh??? i wasn’t insulting anyone…
MK
June 11, 2013 at 12:31 am
Cather76, sorry, bud! I was just replying to Milovan’s comment about the “Serbian women are whores…”, your post is awesome 🙂
CD
June 27, 2013 at 11:09 am
I wouldn’t say he’s overly exadurating. Not all serbian women are whores, but 90% of them are gold diggers who don’t want to have children. >:-(
goca
June 8, 2013 at 5:52 pm
Pogledajte kako je SFRJ izgledala prije gotovo 50 godina i to iz američke perspektive. Ово је video koji je 1964. godine snimila američka zrakoplovna tvrtka Pan Am kako bi privukla goste u ove krajeve.
Управо сам пронашла овај снимак, траје 26 минута > http://vimeo.com/67025304#t=80
goca
June 8, 2013 at 6:17 pm
See how Yugoslavia appeared nearly 50 years ago and this from an American perspective. This is a video that was in 1964. recorded the American airline Pan Am in order to attract visitors to this area.
I just found this video, it lasts 26 minutes> http://vimeo.com/67025304 # t = 80
ROY ROGERS
June 8, 2013 at 8:57 pm
1. Poverty, but everyone has money and time to sit in cafes, buy cigarettes, and sell-out most summer seaside travel packages with local travel agency’s. Charles, don’t know if you are familiar but MOST Serbian parents ALWAYS have money to buy their kids the lates sneakers, PRIVATE language lessons, sport, music and art classes as after school activities…Small luxuries that you have to admit even most America families cannot provide for their children !
2. As for Serbian woman, YES they have straight clean cut natural features, most are very tall and skinny, but the majority dress like cheap call-girls (but then again so do many other nationalities) I just notice it more in Serbia.
And NO, NO NO they are definitely NOT confident, their first appearance “attitude” lets you believe that they have an abundance of confidence when in fact they don’t and that leads to them dressing and acting the way they do…….
3. I could bet you anything that the Serbian chips are “healthier” than Doritos ! 🙂
Vanja
June 10, 2013 at 9:03 pm
It is simply not true that “the majority dress like cheap call-girls” or that they are “whores” etc. as bitter men who obviously got rejected a lot try to portray. Most women in Serbia dress casually, some love sportswear, many of them are always dressed up, but most of them don’t dress like the one in the photo unless they go clubbing during summer, but then again most women wear revealing outfits when they go to clubs everywhere. Serbian women are not more promiscuous than women in lets say western countries, if anything its safe to say they are more conservative.
CD
June 27, 2013 at 11:35 am
Not all serbian women are whores, neither majority of them dress like cheap call-girls. But, 90% of them are gold diggers who don’t want to have children (the biggest reason why Serbia is losing 40,000 people every year by white plague).
Vanja
July 5, 2013 at 8:08 pm
CD Serbian women are not attracted to you and don’t want to have children with men like you because they, as most women everywhere, are not attracted to negative, grumpy men who have nasty attitude towards them. That has nothing to do with money, my advice for you unlucky in love dudes would be to try to work on yourself, be gentlemen and treat women with respect instead of writing malicious untrue comments about them online and embarrassing yourself. In Serbia all nice guys I know have girlfriends, wives and children and they have no more than basic earnings. Remember, be nice to women and good luck!
Krchmarus
July 25, 2015 at 11:01 am
1. To tell you a bit about poverty: Average Serbian salary is $250/month (appointed by employment and social law). But mostly Serbians have money. It says that Serbians spend $2 while having only $1. It’s the truth (credit cards are now favorite type of payment in Serbia, too much if you ask me). That’s why everyone thinks Serbians have money to spend, have cars large homes, but when it comes down to paying bills, it’s a mess.
2. Well, you have your view of Serbian women. My point of view: very difficult to handle if you do not have control over them. However, I respect the hell out of our women. They endure so much. From my point of view, domestic violence in Serbia is at the top of the world ladder. We need to really work on that. Serbian girls will talk to you and have fun, they are open minded and not shy at all.
3. Well, for a small country, even having junk food is great. But the alcoholic beverages is different story. You have 2 great brands of bear in our country: Jelen and Lav. For me they are gear beers, but never asked the opinion from foreigners, so leave your comment bellow. Also you can find the only alcoholic moonshine beverage “Sljivovica” or “Rakija” that will blow your mind. They are stronger then Russian Vodka. They can contain almost 40% of alcohol in them, some of homemade can even contain up to 43%. But, even though they are that strong, there are some that are really healthy like “Stomaklia” and “Pelinkovac”. These brands can be bought in any stores in cites or villages, especially in countryside inn’s.
So all in all, Serbia is one of the most beautiful countries you can visit (this is not a marketing ploy from me, it’s a pure fact), so do not hesitate to visit us. Serbians are the most hospitable people on the planet.
Zvezdana
June 10, 2013 at 12:58 am
Milovane, sram te bilo! Znas li ti da ovo citaju stranci? Zar je to sto hoces da im porucis? Zadrzi SVOJ prljav ves za sebe I drustvo.
bata trlaja
November 2, 2013 at 3:46 pm
So typical … and actually that is the main point you are so occupied with foreigners and their opinion about you, some kind of sick obsession , and many girls in Serbia have similar attitude and in that part I agree with Milovan. It’s a better catch foreigner than a local gay , why, well probably money (imaginary) is most important difference in MANY cases I don’t generalise all, but said that with relatively big self experience traveling to many countries. Often congruence with ours (country and girls) you can find in other poor places in Europe, I wasn’t in Asia and Africa….Thx Charles for all positive what ur doing for Serbia, and with that above said you can maybe realize why u maybe cant easy find negatives about us(most of)…. you are treated like a foreigner and that opens you many doors (legs sometimes). Best wishes man.
Pera
June 10, 2013 at 1:13 pm
Just to add something about power receptacles in Serbia, or in Europe generally.
It is very dangerous to use power adapters if you are coming from States, because while most of the world is using 220 volts, in USA, Japan and couple of countries around the world, in use is 110 volts.
If you plug in your device from States that is rated to 110 volts only, to our receptacle, you will probably witness a small firework in your room and your device will be gone.
Make sure before you plug in that is rated to 110-250 volts.
Adr385
August 24, 2014 at 6:43 am
“If you plug in your device from States that is rated to 110 volts only, to our receptacle, you will probably witness a small firework in your room and your device will be gone.”
YOU CANNOT PLUG 110V device in 220~240V without adapter !!! Don’t talk about stuff you don’t know.
Natasa
July 8, 2013 at 10:47 pm
Milovan is just bitter that women outside of the mentioned “villages” have more opportunities to work, provide for themselves and entertain themselves as in any bigger city. Fact:
1) not every woman’s goal in life is to get married
2) not every woman’s life is fulfilled when she has children
At least not to/with the wrong guy – catch my drift? 🙂
runnymeadeuk
August 4, 2013 at 9:13 pm
Are there any resources you can recommend (in English) that explain the N.a.t.o./Clinton/Albright war against Serbs? I met an ex-serviceman who was there (as part of “peacekeeping” force) and who, like you, changed his opinion of the Serbians after his unit was stationed near a town where Kosovo Albanians attacked Serb civilians on a regular basis (indiscriminate machine gun fire & grenade attacks on pubs, public places). This soldier came back home convinced that N.A.T.O. was taking the wrong side in the conflict. His was an interesting point of view I had never heard on Western television news “reports” during the conflict. I hear there are still outside forces (German?) occupying parts of the country & that the E.U. plans to give more lands to Albanians. The local, indigenous Serbs are apparently being forced out. Seems the “world community” approves of “ethnic cleansing” if it’s the Serbs who are displaced. Shame on those who approve of this.
cather76
August 20, 2013 at 4:19 pm
hi there.. thank you for your comment…very interesting to hear his views… there is a former NATO officer that is living in Belgrade and has openly apologized to the Serbs! he fells the same as your friend! check out my new blog http://www.charlescather.net. i have written a bit about their involvement….
runnymeadeuk
September 9, 2013 at 10:07 am
Thanks Charles. Your blog is great.I enjoyed your short video at Church of St. Trinity in Leskovac. Hope I can visit E. Europe & Serbia and see all the sights. Your videos are inspiring and entertaining. All the best to you.
– Brit NorAm Free
Srpska Rakija
March 1, 2015 at 12:59 pm
with good rakia all womens are beautiful 🙂
Ljiljana Morris
July 4, 2016 at 6:15 am
Awesome comments, short and to the point!
You made me re-think my life here in the US, and consider going back to my homeland :))
Бојан
April 6, 2017 at 7:29 pm
Ignore these Serb women trying to fool you, they are mostly very fake and gold diggers and narcissists. Just ask yourself, does a normal woman use makeup before coming out of the house anywhere(and often it’s a like they want to create an illusion of themselves. Very self-absorbed women. Good for sex, horrendous for anything beyond that.