Belgrade notebook: My first time in Europe and I am in love with the Serbian capital

I am in Europe for the first time, Central Europe to be specific, Belgrade, Serbia to be exact. Here to witness the women's national team Malkia Strikers in their final leg of preparations for the World Championships. 

My trip has been an interesting experience, one to remember. Walk with me as I document part of my experience in the capital city of the Serbs. 

Before landing, Belgrade welcomes you from up in the skies with prestine white buildings dotted with brick-red rooftops that remind any Nairobi resident of the new Lang'ata or Buruburu estates that were featured in the famed Nazizi song...yeah that one that only people my age know without having to be told the name. 

It is also hard to miss the greenery, the beautiful trees, a constant feature in Belgrade as I find out later, that give one the feeling of being in the Kenyan countryside. 

Upon landing one is greeted by the same climate and atmosphere, given that it is still summer and any Kenyan could get used to the country, well... until winter arrives as I am reliably told the warmest it gets in winter is -12, which is a rare occurrence. 

Serbs will, conveniently and in a witty marketing move, remind you that you have landed on their turf, the Nikola Tesla Belgrade Airport, with a photo of the man himself on the tails of some of the Air Serbia planes chilling next to the runway. 

Chumba raring to go as Malkia Strikers finalise World Championship preps

Check out from the airport, still undergoing construction and renovations, is a relatively smooth process, one that could, however, be faster especially after almost 24 hours of travel from Nairobi.

This is the largest and busiest airport in Serbia, situated 18 km west of downtown Belgrade near the suburb of Surcin surrounded by fertile lowlands.

Like any other airport, one can exchange whatever currency you have for the dinar which is the unit currency in Serbia. Its value not so different from the Kenyan shilling. It is also at this point that any traveller will need to get a local sim card with MTS being the leading mobile service provider. Forget their version of M-pesa, it is not available. 

The ride from the airport to my residence for the week-long visit, the beautiful sporting facility that is Kovilovo Resort leaves me wondering if its just the suburb or pedestrians are something of a rarity in Belgrade, it was the former. 

Murambi shares Malkia Strikers' game plan ahead of World Championships

One of the standout features while up in the sky and on my ride to Kovilovo is the Danube River, the second largest river in Europe. A bridge, much like the Nyali bridge in Mombasa connects either side of the city as the river flows through the capital city. 

The 15 minute ride from the airport ends at the inviting Kovilovo Resort. Here all the sporting facilities any team could ask for, but for a rugby pitch are available.

They have an indoor Arena fit to host any indoor sport, albeit without the allowance for fans. These are exclusively training facilities. They have a football pitch, a swimming pool and a shooting range. 

Malkia Strikers' last stop before heading out for the FIVB Women’s World Championships in Netherlands from 23 September to 15 October is at this magnificent facility. 

They have everything they need, including a well equipped gym that has their physical and conditioning coach Marcelo Vitorino de Souza in high spirits as he is pushing the players to achieve the desired fitness ahead of the competition in Netherlands. 

Volleyball is the third most successful sport in Serbia after basketball and water polo. The Serbian women's volleyball national team are the world champions and have won numerous global titles in all the three top sports. 

Belgrade, however, has a sporting culture that goes beyond the three sports. At the airport, I was welcomed by a United World Wrestling information desk as the city was, this week hosting the event. 

Additionally, on Saturday, the town's people were treated to a free-for-all F1 show. Legendary British Formula 1 driver David Coulthard was driving the RB7 car, while the German tandem Red Bull Driftbrothers put on an exciting car drift show.

Lithuanian Aras Gibiezha, a stunt ride specialist, was also on the lineup where he rode a stunt motorcycles. For those not able to follow the spectacle live on the spot, a TV broadcast was provided. 

Away from sports, it was time to find out what my hosts are into. Serbs love their rakija, an alcoholic drink that is either commercially made or home made, with the latter famed to be the real deal. 

Their love for rakija is shared by both men and women as much as both love their cigars. But don't be fooled by their smoking, the 'holy herb' is very much illegal in this part of the world.

It is considered courteous to accept a few shots of rakija right before lunch, it is a common practice and immediately after meals, we (I am considering myself part of the culture for this visit) indulge with a glass of wine. 

The country’s work culture is probably one of the healthiest, the people assume a 9-5 pm work day unless you work for the government which will mean getting to the office at 7.30am, but free to leave after 3.30pm, amazing, right? 

While I have been busy with the team, I will take time off to experience Belgrade away from work. I cannot wait to have a first hand kafana (live band music) serenade and tell you all about it. 

Keep it Mozzart Sport for this and more. 

Yours truly,

Lynette Matheka