Senses of Home

This is an exercise in exploring the places that raised me and what they smell, sound, taste, look, and feel like.


Serbia smells like cigarettes, freshly-cooked ćevapi (kebabs) sun-scorched blacktop, burning coal, diesel, Turkish coffee, incense
Slovakia smells like garlic, garlic-breath, vypražani syr (fried cheese), alcohol-breath, pine, rain
America smells like freshly-cut grass, barbecues, sun-screen, mosquito spray, chlorine, fresh air

Serbia sounds like church bells, car horns, party music (not in English), swearing, laughter
Slovakia sounds like the screech of trams, the boom of fireworks, "Nasledujúce zastávka...", Switchfoot,
America sounds like the crackle of bonfires, cicadas, the radio, the whir of a boat motor

Serbia tastes like srpska salata (Serbian salad) strawberry juice, pljeskavica (kebab in plate-sized burger form) a kifla (like a French baguette)
Slovakia tastes like cheesy garlic soup in a bread bowl, cabbage salad, lentil soup,
America tastes like mustard, Haagen Daas, steak,

Serbia looks like trash-riddled roads, old forests, rich history, cyrillic, grey buildings, fortresses, Orthodox icons, white walls, wood floors,
Slovakia looks like sunsets, grey days, vibrant colours, Baroque architecture, cobblestones, yellow walls, clay tiles, graffiti,
America looks like Walmart, sidewalks, big houses, carpeted floors,

Serbia feels like an old friend,
Slovakia feels like a storm cloud,
America feels like an airport terminal and a holiday,


Serbia smells revolting, comforting,
Slovakia smells normal,
America smells clean,

Serbia sounds chaotic,
Slovakia sounds quiet,
America sounds peaceful,

Serbia tastes rich,
Slovakia tastes wintry,
America tastes store-bought

Serbia looks ancient
Slovakia looks important
America looks wealthy,

Serbia feels comforting, exciting, challenging,
Slovakia feels cold, beautiful, stoic,
America feels impermanent, uncomfortable, friendly, luxurious.