During the past decade, it somehow managed to remain at peace despite the years of war in neighboring Croatia and Bosnia-Herzegovina. It survived the terrible period of shortages and poverty, international sanctions and the highest inflation rate in the world. Belgrade is a good place to be in the spring. Now, the city feels the war directly, and it is a huge shock for its two million inhabitants. Above it all are the constant, eerie and terrifying wail of those sirens.
Some people strive to maintain an air of normality.
They go to work despite the fact that schools, the university, post offices and banks are closed. The city transport system operates at minimum capacity. Commuting back and forth to work has turned into a day-long adventure. An ominous, unreal silence descended on Belgrade with the first wave of NATO bombings. The same poll showed that most thought that if NATO did attack, Russia and China would retaliate on Serbia's behalf.