Today, dear readers, I kindly ask that you pass the hat around — donations may soon be required!
The day started off perfectly in beautiful Novi Sad. The lovely apartment manager gave us a late checkout of 12 noon, which was just enough time to enjoy one last wander through the charming streets. We strolled past stunning architecture and peaceful churches, meandered through a leafy park, crossed the bridge over the Danube, and explored the grounds of a grand old monastery overlooking the river.
Feeling rather pleased with ourselves, we rewarded our efforts with coffee and pastries (naturally), before heading back to the apartment just before noon. The manager had asked us to leave the payment on the TV stand, simple enough. As we were finishing our packing, there came a knock at the door.
Jutta opened it and, seeing a man who looked just like the manager’s WhatsApp photo, handed him the cash. Transaction complete! We packed up, locked the apartment, popped the key in the key safe, and went merrily on our way.
Off we went to the train station—only to discover that the Novi Sad station has been closed for a year after part of the building collapsed, tragically killing sixteen people. So, a quick taxi to the next town, and finally, we were Belgrade-bound.
Just as we were congratulating ourselves on another successful travel day, a message popped up from the apartment manager:
“You didn’t leave the money in the room!”
Apparently, the man who came to the door wasn’t the manager after all. To add to the drama, he was now cancelling our booking as a “no show” and threatening to report me to Booking.com and the police.
I, of course, contacted Booking.com with photos proving we stayed there. I also politely asked the manager to please provide the police report number so I could pop by the station in Belgrade and sort it out. That was three hours ago… silence since.
Tomorrow I cross the border back into Croatia, so if this blog suddenly goes quiet, please assume I’m enjoying Serbian hospitality behind bars. Donations will be gratefully accepted — preferably in pastries or bail money.
As for Jutta, she flies out tomorrow. I’m counting on her to send word and arrange bail before takeoff. We’ve truly loved our time in Serbia — here’s hoping I don’t have to extend my stay doing hard labour!