Republic of Serbia Travel Forum

Hello....I will be visiting relatives in Serbia (after almost 20 years!) and have been thinking hard on what to take them for a gift, particularly for the kids. Do they have any gaming systems there, such as the Sony Playstation? I know I'd have to get the AC/DC electrical converter to go with this, but was just curious.... Any other suggestions would be appreciated! :)

Nooo playstation please!!!

1) It won't work due different video signal, converting the voltage is not enough:
please read it: http://www.absolute-playstation.com/api_faqs/faq10.htm

"Countries could now choose their system therefore French colonies and the Soviet opted for SECAM, other European countries including Britain and former British colonies chose PAL, while NTSC remained with the United States, Canada and countries bordering the US."

Serbia is PAL, USA is NTSC. It just won't work - or you have to bring an American TV or buy a PAL-SECAM-NTSC TV locally. :(

2) There are better things to bring than that :)

How old are those children?
That might help :))

The children: 3 girls, ages 8, 6 and 5...

Oh, and also there is a 10-year-old boy...

OK, trains are good for the boy. Make sure these are the ones they can't get it in Europe so easy, for instance some Athearn. http://www.athearn.com/

The http://trainworld.com/ is one of the least expensive dealers - we used them, expect huge discounts from the retail prices. On their current ad I see some good stuff.

http://trainworld.com/TW2_08MRRPAGE3_TW1_08MRRPAGE3.pdf

- Go for "N", it's smaller but unfortunately Serbian homes are smaller, too....
- Have mercy on the kid and your hosts, buy Japanese KATO Unitrack only. Don't settle for less, this is the best in the world you can buy.
- On the said .pdf file look at item like "Sharknose" Bachmann starting at $24.99 (the prices depend on the railroad), this is a VERY good deal!!! It's a closeout, you may even buy two different engines. They retail at $135 or so and are of good quality.
- The "Sharknoses" were freight engines, so get some 4-5 freight cars and a matching caboose, 5 freight car should total $25, ask for Atlas, Kato. That particular Bachmann engine is good, but NOT the Bachmann cars!!!

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Track:

http://trainworld.com/kato/kato_Unitrack.htm

Buy a K2 Turnout Track Set ($59.99) plus maybe K1 Standard Track Set ($29.99). Do not buy any transformer, that is better to buy at any hobby store in Belgrade (220 Volt!!!).

Important: ask for better quality coupler upgrade for both engine and cars - do they have it?

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OK, boy is probably set by now.

BUT: I AM ASSUMING, HE WASN'T TOUCHED BY SOME CRAZY THINGS YET (so his soul can be saved from Playstation-craze)

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Also: (for boy): http://www.knex.com K'NEX DOES NOT EXIT IN EUROPE!!!

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Girls: GOLD. GOLD. GOLD. At that age they and their parents would appreciate. Here go for Indian and Chinese style common in Chinatowns/Indiantowns all across America. Hong Kong would be a better place to buy, but USA is not bad at all. Gold is friggin expensive in Europe, even worse in Yugo, the Chinese style and grade (under 18-24 Karat for Chinese or Indians it's not "gold") does not exist there and if yes, it's a speciality. A European and esp. someone from former (quasi)Socialist country who does not like 24 Karat gold wasn't born yet. As "icing" for the cake buy some plush animals. As the girls grow up thew will appreciate what they got more and more. For now their parents will appreciate :)

That also may give you a hint, what to buy for the parents.

Apropos, parents. Amazon has the 320 GB nini-drive for $175 shipped, I received today my second one, that will go for my wife' machine as a gift on her b'day. You may consider it. Some good computer deals both Mac and PC are collected on www.dealmac.com and on www.techbargains.com

Girls love Barbie dalls, Bratz and stuff like that.
Maybe some famous sport club dress for buys too.

If you get them some gold, make sure you ll get some toy to cheer the kids LOL They don't appreciate gold so much at that age, but they will remeber you forever by some golden thing:)

G