Yoga Teacher in Kotor

It was spontaneity and a failed relationship that led me to Montenegro. It was the beginning of all of my plans for the 2017 trip around the Balkans. Actually, I had no idea how I was going to get from Byron Bay, Australia to Kotor, Montenegro but i had faith that it would all fall into place... And so it did! Like all trips, I planned to take the long journey across the world in steps, through countries I hadnt yet visited, Including Sri Lanka, Slovenia and Croatia. Later I would include Serbia and Bosnia to add to my ever expanding list of countries.

I had decided to spend an extra day in Hvar with my friends and to skip Dubrovnik on my way to Kotor. With a three hour border stop, I didnt arrive until around 1am which was too late for my host to pick me up for the station, so i hopped in the taxi they had sent to come and get me. When I arrived, we could'nt get the key to work in the apartment door, and to spare any drama from the girls I would be sharing with, It was decided that i would spend the night on the hosts couch. I was taking part in a 'Yoga Trade' which meant I would teach for one hour a day and in return receive two meals a day and accomodation in a nice apartment. It was an awesome deal.​

My routine was pretty great while I was here, I woke up around 7:30am, taught yoga at 8:30 for an hour, went to the gym until 10:30 and then went for breakfast once the guests were finished. I would have a delicious healthy breakfast cooked by either Milos or Milan, the Bosnia twins who would soon become like brothers to me, and then head off for the day to do as i pleased. I took the opportunity to hang out with my new friend Teodora who lived across the bay, as well as seeing some old friends from Silver Muse including my favourite lady Mihoko. I also got to see old friends such as Jordy and Jeff who I had met when I couchsurfed with them In California in 2012, and were now backpacking around the world like true nomads. I got to see my old work mate Jojo twice as she passed through Kotor on her travels and even got to see Analine who I had just met in Hvar randomly. It was amazing to be teaching yoga in this wonderful idyllic setting and getting to spend time with people from all corners of the globe. It was amazing. On other days I would hike to the top of the fortress overlooking Kotor Bay, visit towns such as Tivat, Stoliv, Perast or Budva or even hang out at Old Town (Stari Grad), at one of my favourite spots called Hoste where they served craft beer and played the best chilled music around.

Life was incredible here and I was really enjoying the European summer.
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Some days I would teach an evening class, lead some retreats or even do massages as requested by the guests. This was a great way to earn extra money outside of my exchange. On my time off I would spend hours laying in the sun, swimming in the beautiful warm waters of Kotor bay, or going on a camping road trip to Durmitor National Park. Montenegro was stunning and I loved seeing as much as I could. During my time there, It became difficult to live with my two flatmates and It was apparent they didnt want me there. I moved out across the hall into the aparment of Milos and Milan until my hosts found me alternative accomodation, which they didnt. During my time there, we had so much fun, I introduced them to the TV show 'Friends' which we watched almost every day and helped them learn english while i learned some Serbian myself. We went on random drives to different places and they introduced me to different places in and around town for the best food. Meanwhile, the other staff at the hotel became nasty, some spreading horrible rumours about me, some ignoring me completely and some shouting things at me when I would go to eat at the restaurant. It got to a point where I was left in tears and felt completely different about being there. I absolutely loved my job and the guests who I taught were such amazing people, but on the flip side, a handful of the local staff, made it their mission to make me feel very unwelcome. I was due to stay a few more weeks but with the number of guests slowing down, I decided it was the right time to leave and spend a few weeks travelling more of the surroundings, which my hosts understood. I planned to go to Serbia followed by Bosnia and Herzagovina before flying home from Dubrovnik just on time for my birthday.

​I was super excited for my plans and although I was happy to never see some of those people again, I was sad to say goodbye to the people who welcomed me and treated me like family. There will always be people who dont understand when someone can genuinely be happy, there will always be people trying to drag you down to their level, but at the end of the day you have to surround yourself with positivity and go wherever your heart tells you. Despite the bittersweet ending, I have so many incredible memories of my time in Montenegro and the people I met there. I cannot wait to go back again some day and explore everything that small country has to offer.