We visited the bridge, the symbol of conflict and renewal and strolled around the quaint rebuilt area of the old town. But it was the shattered homes which brought home some of the realities of the conflict that had taken place. Blocks of flats battered by gunfire and artillery which are still occupied. Windows bricked up except for small holes at the top to reduce blast damage. A road junction where the intensity of the fighting had left walls crazed with bullet holes.
I can hardly begin to imagine what it must have been like to have lived through this mayhem and it makes me realise how hard we must strive to avoid conflict and promote tolerance.
The previous day we had been in the village of Stolac where a young man approached, proud to show off his place to tourists. He told us that camping was safe as they were all good people there. And I'm sure he is right but the evidence of the derelict houses and pockmarked walls demonstrated what terrible forces within us can be unleashed when conflict starts.
I can hardly begin to imagine what it must have been like to have lived through this mayhem and it makes me realise how hard we must strive to avoid conflict and promote tolerance.
The previous day we had been in the village of Stolac where a young man approached, proud to show off his place to tourists. He told us that camping was safe as they were all good people there. And I'm sure he is right but the evidence of the derelict houses and pockmarked walls demonstrated what terrible forces within us can be unleashed when conflict starts.
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