I am from the Land Down Under, more specifically, Sydney, and my significant other is from Belgrade, the capital city of Serbia
Where and when did you meet your significant other?
We met in the magical country of Spain back in 2012. I went there to do some research for my master’s thesis and he was on his road trip around Andalusia. Our paths crossed in Cádiz, one of the most charming cities I’ve ever visited. The day I arrived, I decided to go for a walk before going back to my hotel to get ready for the night out. The evenings I spent in Spain were somehow truly magical, imbued with the country’s vibrant spirit, so I never missed an opportunity to experience a city’s nightlife.
In the evening, I decided to stop by this charming place called El Quinto Pino, a local hotspot. It was truly amazing – the lively atmosphere, tourists mingling with the locals, the rich taste of sangria. And there he was, standing by the bar talking cheerfully to some people. I noticed him immediately because he was “my type”, but I didn’t approach him.

Well, he did. Once we started talking, we immediately clicked. I’d actually known a few people from Serbia. During the 90s, a lot of families from the Balkans moved to Australia because of the wars in the region and it so happened that several guys from Serbia went to my school. When I met them, I was pleasantly surprised by their warmness. Those Serbian guys are really different in so many ways, somehow more direct and open. We actually became great friends and our friendship helped me realise what kind of a person I wanted by my side. To be honest, I always secretly hoped that my significant other would have that Serbian heartiness.
Where did you initially think he was from?
Although we were actually both foreigners at the time, the moment he started speaking, I recognised his accent. As I previously mentioned, I’d already known that unique Balkan type of guys, but I wasn’t really sure from which country he was. He was really surprised that I had even heard of Serbia. Surprisingly, it took him a while to recognise my Australian accent, but he did succeed in the end.
What was your first impression of him?
I was obsessed from the moment I saw him. As I said, he was (and still is) my type, so I really hoped that we would meet. His stunning smile charmed me immediately and I still start melting every time he looks at me with his charming eyes. He’s always been such a gentleman, and he treated me with respect, which I truly liked. Before I met him, I’d had some unpleasant experiences with guys being too straightforward. They’d assumed that I would be open to a fling just because I was a tourist in the romantic country of Spain. But he wasn’t like that, which won me over.
Dish on the first kiss!
Actually, it happened that very night. I’ve never been comfortable with taking things too fast, especially not when it comes to relationships. However, everything about that night felt different. We talked about our plans as he walked me back to my hotel. When we were supposed to call it a night, I wasn’t ready to say goodbye. And then it simply happened. It felt natural, somehow familiar. We decided to meet in the morning and have breakfast together. I was so excited I could barely sleep that night. However, I was left with that lust vs. love dilemma because I wasn’t sure whether I felt that way just because I was in a foreign country having an adventure of my lifetime. It didn’t take me long to realise that I was truly in love.
He asked me to join him on his trip around Andalusia and I said yes (of course). From Cádiz, we continued to Málaga, then Granada, Jaén, and finally Seville. It was one of the most beautiful periods of our lives. Time passed and we soon had to go back to our homes. I was truly devastated because I thought we would never see each other again. However, we kept in touch regularly and he visited Sydney for two years while on his business trips as an officer. We were inseparable while he was there, but then he would have to leave again, which tormented us. Eventually, he decided to move to Sydney and find a job here, and we’ve lived happily ever after since then.
Where do you live now?
We live in Sydney as a happy couple and proud parents of twin boys.
Have you learnt each other’s languages?
He already spoke English almost perfectly when we met, and I’m still trying to learn that strange Serbian language. I think it’s even more difficult than French and it took me a while to learn that language. But I’m not giving up!
Any advice to “mixed” culture couples or couples doing long-distance?
Cultural differences were never an issue for us thanks to my Serbian friends. Distance, on the other hand, was a real challenge. Couples who are in a similar situation should think about whether they and their partner have the same goals. Only when you’re fighting for the same thing will you manage to succeed.
Contributor's Bio:
My name is Isabel Frank William, and I am Consultant by day, and Freelance Writer by night.
I’m trying to spread my blogging voice through informative and well written articles.
My area of interest are well being, mental health, self improvement as well as beauty of millennial transitions in all aspect of life.
I am also a lover of literature and philosophy, runner, and Tai Chi master. And that why I believe that sometimes it is just enough to enjoy a really good book, smooth jazz and a cup of coffee to travel somewhere else.
Submitted by Isabel .
Here's how you can connect with Isabel:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Isabel_FWilliam
Vi auguro tante belle cose. xoxo
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