Читать книгу The Lands of the Tamed Turk; or, the Balkan States of to-day онлайн

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Furthermore, the territory has been left uninvaded by the frantic tourist,—in fact, an American is regarded as a wonder to look upon, and his harmless little camera, aimed promiscuously, is as apt to conjure up a crowd of stary-eyed, open-mouthed, inquisitive natives as the perpetration of a political tragedy.

And woe is he who cannot speak German, or at least enough of that language to ask the questions necessary to travel, for the days of “personally conducted” tours through the Balkans have yet to come. He may speak French fluently but, exclusive of the diplomatic circles, it would be as much to his advantage to adhere to American slang. The exceptions, however, invariably prove the rule, and it is when English is least expected to be heard that its utterance is the most heartily appreciated.

“A CROWD OF STARY-EYED, OPEN-MOUTHED, INQUISITIVE NATIVES.”

The head-waiter of the hotel in Belgrade had been a deck steward on a trans-Atlantic liner and of course surprised us upon our arrival with a generous speech in English.