On Endurance

Two days ago, an American researcher interviewed me about Women in Black. One of her questions was, ‘What are Women in Black’s greatest accomplishments?” In addition to the standard answers I give on every grant application, I found myself saying that the fact that they still exist, sixteen years after the vigils began, despite numerous challenges, difficulties, hurdles and obstacles, amazes me and is an accomplishment in itself. The researcher was pleased with my answer; it was one of the ones she had me repeat into her recorder in order to quote me correctly.

That night, I had a coffee with I— at the most Starbucks-like coffee place I have seen in Belgrade (service at a counter, not a table; 3 sizes of drinks; suspiciously similar typeface). She’s taking off for Geneva shortly, assuming she gets her visa. In the course of our conversation, we discussed some foreigners that we know who have become disillusioned with this place and left. I— praised me for living here for so long, for adjusting to a foreign place.

It’s strange to give and receive the same slightly unusual compliment over the course of four hours. Maybe standards are too low if the simple act of continuing to exist merits praise (especially in my case—millions of people live in Belgrade).

Still, I will take compliments where I find them.