HiStory

Stories by Month

Water

I met Pajo in Moscow in late 1980ties. We both were participating on KPNTP (Comecom Eureka) meeting and immediatelly became good friends. He was working for Enorgoinvest, strong company in Sarajevo. Because I worked in Slovenia we did not meet very often, but our friendship was stable. When in 1992 war in Bosnia has started I called him and ask how are you doing. He answered me: Eveyry night when I put my children in bed I kiss them because I do not know if we will survive the night.

After that call I could not make an connection with him. Several times I remembered his words and try to call however without any success. At the end of 1994 somebody said to me that it is possible to come in contact with people in Sarajevo using internet. I got address and sent mail. After two weeks Pajo answered. We helped him to visit Ljubljana. During his short visit he insisted to be outdoor as much as possible. I asked him why. And he answered we can not walk freely because of snipers, I miss walking so much. During the walk he was telling me stories about war life in Sarajevo. The main problem was that city was not designed and built for war. Many new buildings were high with central heating, elavators, waterlines. And becasue there was not electricity all that achievements of modern society and technology were useless. And the worst problem was water. People had to go outside to bring water. It was dangerous because of snipers, and heavy task to do especially if you were living on the top of high buildings. He said to me: „If somebody came to visit, he can ask to get anything except the water.“ I remember his words and I think I will remember them to the end of my life. Especially when I am using to much water.