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A Visit to Vrsac |
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Vrsac was one of my favourite places that we visited in Yugoslavia. It is about a half hour drive from Bela Crkva and is surrounded by miles and miles of corn and sunflower fields. There is a lovely centre square with a fountain and lots of outdoor cafes (one of which, I am happy to report, was playing the "Gipsy Kings"). We had originally gone to Vrsac to drop off a video tape to a photographer so he could convert it to the European format for us. We had a hard time finding him. When we did, he was in the middle of photographing a wedding party! That's right, we crashed a Romanian wedding party, complete with very loud folk music. Everyone was dancing in a long, winding line around the room. It took us about ten minutes just to get past them and leave!
Afterwards, we left the centre of town to trek up a local mountain. I say trek, but we actually managed to drive all but 100 metres from the top. It was worth it. Along the way I saw loads of butterflies and we were offered a ride in a tiny car whose driver was determined to bump and swerve his way right to the very top. On top of the mountain is an old castle which I climbed. It was SO scary. The stairs were iron and wobbly. It took the picture you see to your right through one of the crumbling windows, but I didn't stay up there for long. While we were on the mountain, we also witnessed a para-gliding competition. After they took off, all the competitors seemed to careen uncontrollably toward lots of nearby trees. Despite my fearing the worst, they all recovered quite nicely. |
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After walking back to the car, we drove into town, past acres and acres of vineyards. Vrsac is home to Banatski Rizling, a local white wine ("belo vino"). "Banat" is a region in "Vojvodina" (the Independant Province which contains Bela Crkva). A good comparison would be the Annapolis Valley here in Nova Scotia. The wine, pictured above, is yummy and very cheap. A litre bottle sells in stores for about $2!
Once in Vrsac proper again, we stopped for lunch at the "Sampion" (Shampione) brewery (also pictured above), makers of Sampion beer, which everyone calls Vrsacko after Vrsac. It was very cool. The company has turned part of the original cellars into a restaurant. The meal was delicious and came with the lovely, thick, filling bread that is so popular here. I ordered some wine, of course, but tried the beer. I am not a big beer fan, but I have to admit, it was pretty good! |
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On our way back home, we passed loads of sunflowers fields like the one on your left. I had to take a picture. I walked about 20 metres into the field to take this photo, but I think it was worth it. The sunflower has to be one of the happiest flowers. |
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Find Vrsac on a Map of Yugoslavia |
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