Re: Belgrade, Mark beat me to it!
I've been to Belgrade twice and I agree with everything Mark says.
The city reminded me of Paris or one of the other big Northern
European capitals and in particular, it seems to be a city for young
people, with lots of well behaved, sober, student aged locals in the
middle of town in the evenings.
The Trade Fair complex is 2 or 3 miles away from the middle of the
city and it's very quiet in August as there are no exhibitions at
that time of year (hence the date of the Champs).
Yes, Hall 3 is an unknown quantity as a flying site as I don't think
it's been test-flown yet. Potentially, if the central light is
removed and the air is calm, it could be very good indeed but it will
be the same for all, whatever its like.
The last serious danger in Belgrade was in the late '90's when NATO
fighters bombed the city! In my previous visits, I felt much safer
than I would in London these days. It is impossible to predict the
future, but the recent disturbances seemed to be minor and confined
to a small area. The Embassy area is well away from the centre and
from the Trade Fair. Certainly, I never experienced any anti Brit' or
anti Western sentiment in belgrade. As GBR TM again this time, I'll
monitor the situation through our Foreign Offfice and the other usual
channels.
I haven't heard of any of the European flyers thinking of pulling out
or not going.
I would suggest to anyone planning go to:
1. Avoid trying to park in the middle of the city as there is a
fiendish and incomprehensible ticketing system that makes it very
difficult.
2. Get rooms with air-con as it can be very hot in August.
I hope to see you all there.
Nick.
--- In Indoor_Construction_at_yahoogroups.com, "markbenns"
<mark.benns_at_...> wrote:
>
> Dear all
>
> I have been reading all of the World Champs comments and
increasingly
> with pessimism creeping in. We are all free to have our own
opinions
> however I thought it would be good to give an alternate perspective
> from my personal experiences after spending 9 days at the European
> Champs Belgrade last summer.
>
> Firstly the hospitality and courtesy of all of the Serbian fliers,
> organizers and helpers was second to none. Any issues to do with
our
> stay or the flying were always addressed swiftly and with a
positive
> outcome. The local environment around the exhibition halls was
quiet
> but still had a fair number of locals shopping and eating at the
> various outlets. The food and drinks were excellent within the
> exhibition halls surroundings.
>
> Belgrade itself is quite different from what I had expected, I had
a
> couple of reservations but these were so unfounded and soon
> forgotten. It is a vibrant city with lovely restaurants, bars and
> westernized shops. Large numbers of the locals promenade throughout
> the early evening and took no second glance at our party with our
> foreign language. Every evening we meandered through the streets
> looking for our evening meal and beverages. We were always made
very
> welcome and I personally never felt any threat.
>
> I for one really enjoyed my stay in Belgrade and am excited to be
> returning.
>
> I truly believe the Serbians as the Romanians and other Nations
> before will do everything in their power to make this an enjoyable
> World Champs.
>
> Mark
>
Received on Sat Apr 12 2008 - 13:56:17 CEST
This archive was generated by Yannick on Sat Dec 14 2019 - 19:13:45 CET