By 
I’m writing this post only in English – because I’m too shaken by this to make translations.
.
It time! For alle the Bosnians to visit their home country. Many are leaving in July to stay a couple of weeks.
But… I must admit that for me it’s time – it’s time to stop coming here!
Everytime we visit Sarajevo we tend to get annoyed for various reasons. Mainly because people here are so outrages and treating “diaspora” (the people who fled from the war) like shit. When ever they can cheat they do.
Now all the araps are here. Many things have changed since I’ve been here 2 years ago. The city is developing – but the people, at least the older generation, stays the same.
Their mentality is off. We can’t relate to them. They are stuck in a black whole and don’t want to get out.
My worst nightmare… Became a reality!
The kids (mainly Aydin) gets up early. Between 5-6h so our day starts early! By 9h we’re already out the door – Aydin needs his first nap and Adriana needs some activity.
That Wednesday (June 20th) we went to a playground in front of a Mercator (in Čengić Vila). Zlatan occupied Adriana, while I strolled around the playground with Aydin. When he fell asleep I placed the stroller in the shade right in front of the gate where I could see him at all time. Zlatan when left to return the rented car at the airport.
Adriana and I played at least for 30 minutes, meanwhile Aydin was sleeping and people were walking by and peeking inside the stroller to see if someone was in it. Then they look over and see me and continue walking.
My collapse
At some point Adriana starts to run around inside the playground like she wants to pee. I ask her if she needs to go to the bathroom but she says no. Instead, she wants to go to the Mercator because “she’s hungy” (we had breakfast right before leaving so I know she doesn’t get hungry this early). She starts saying “I want to go into the store” and starts running away. I try to stop her by saying, Aydin is sleeping and we can’t leave him alone. She needs to wait and then we can go. But somehow I think she only heard the last part. She was off and ran into the store. I then quickly took the bag and ran after her, she was still and waiting for me at the entrance. I kneed down and hold her hands and said, “we can’t shop now because Aydin is outside asleep and all by himself”. She tried to make a point – so did I, and then we left. For me it felt like a split second.
We came out and I got dissy. The stroller and Aydin were gone!
This moment… I can’t even explain the feeling. I had no air.
WHERE IS MY BABY?!?!
I screamed at the men in front of the Mercator – sitting and drinking coffee.
They looked at me like I was the idiot, and responded, “What baby? How should we know? You should take care of your baby” (in Bosnian, “Kakvo dijete? Odkud ja znam gdje ti je dijete? Čuvaj račun o svome dijetu.”).
I felt like I was all alone and in my own bubble. I don’t even see Adriana but I’m sure I’m holding her hand. She is scared and saying, “mommy, who took Aydin? Why did people take him.”.
The tears are pressing. Adrianas fear is my gasoline.
A woman who stood by the men said that she saw a woman walk with a stroller just before I came out and that I should try to talk “over there”.
I was on my way and then I see 4-5 people in front of a building all upset and waving with their arms.
Are you stupid? How could you leave your child in the streets?
Let me explain. The stroller was right in front of the Mercator, and the woman have talking it a block away!
I ran as fast as I could. I could hear him scream. I came and pushed the stroller towards me to see him, and he was so frightening. I could see that he was still sleeping and they have awakened him. What a horror to wake up to! Who are there people?!
One woman had opened the door to the building, the other was about to take him out of the stroller, a third one was just standing there and a man was there – this idiot was saying the quotation above and was being aggressive.
Adriana started to cry and I was holding Aydin and said something like “It’s okay… They just scared Aydin. It’s okay. Let’s go home.” and this idiot again started talking. “you shouldn’t leave the child alone! We called the coops”.
Idite svi u pičku materinu!
(No need for translation)
.
The walk home felt like for ever. I kept kissing Aydin, and busted out crying! Adriana wanted to kiss and hug him too, and said “it’s okay, it’s okay, bebo”.
I came back to the apartment and I couldn’t stop crying.
NO HELP
YES – I should have left. But I chose to run after my child, the other one was sleeping. I didn’t imagine he would “run away” while I get Adriana back.
NO – I didn’t leave him out in the streets like we NORMALLY do in Denmark. I’m not an idiot.
This was a split second.
Where I got to witness my worst nightmare. My child was abducted.
I don’t view their action as a help. Why did they had the need to WALK AWAY with the stroller? Why didn’t they stay IN PLACE and waited or at least walk into the store (it’s not that big) and ask out loud who’s responsible for the child outside.
I just don’t get it!
Nor do I want to get it. I’m too frightening and shaken.
When I couldn’t see the stroller I just got a picture of an orphanage – he had no ID on him. I don’t want to know what the next step could have been and where he’d end up. I doubt I’d ever see him again.
This pain and experience is the worst I’ve been through.
I don’t wish it for my worst enemy!
SHAME ON YOU, Sarajlije!
Welcome to the uncivilized world.
.
We’re all OK now, at we can’t wait to leave Bosnia!
Aydin taking his daily nap.
