Ask a New Yorker: Where are we? What’s happening? I’m, like, in another world.
Goran: We are on Roosevelt Island, a small island between Queens and Manhattan. It is one of the most beautiful spots on New York City. I moved here in March 2010. I would like to stay here for a long time. It has great views and is a very friendly, clean place to live. We don’t have a lot of restaurants or bars. This bar-restaurant Pier NYC opened recently and where we are sitting is one of my favorites. Roosevelt Island also has soccer fields. I’m from Europe so I’m a big soccer fan.
Ask a New Yorker: Where do you like to eat and drink on Roosevelt Island?
Goran: I like where we are right now, Pier NYC. It has very good food with excellent views of the city. For drinking and good food I like going to River Walk Bar and Grill.
Ask a New Yorker: Where are you from?
Goran: I’m from Serbia. It is one of the past Yugoslavian countries. Bosnia, Herzegovina, Crotia, Macedonia, Montenegro, and Slovenia were also part of Yugoslavia before the war in 1990. But now we are separated. Serbia is a big sports country; besides soccer we love tennis and water polo. Novak Djokovic is the number 1 tennis player in the world. I would say tennis is probably the most popular sport. We don’t have big budgets like you do here for training athletes. Tennis is considered more of a game. Some of the most famous tennis players began playing and practicing in the empty swimming pools. There are not a lot of tennis courts in Serbia.
Ask a New Yorker: What’s your favorite Serbian restaurant in NYC?
Goran: That would be Kafana in the East Village.
Ask a New Yorker: I would love to visit Serbia someday.
Goran: Serbia is a very safe place. The people are very open. Belgrade is the capital of Serbia and is beautiful. People from all over the the Balkans come visit Belgrade. We have lots of restaurants and the food is excellent. Some of my American friends who have visited feel like they are in a small New York.
Ask a New Yorker: Your English is quite good.
Goran: I started learning my English on the streets, just by talking to people. I have some funny stories. One day when I was taking wedding pictures I asked the bride how she feels being a ‘bridge’. I would say something like, “Excuse me Bridge could you move a little to the left, chin up, Bridge please look this way please. We arrived at the Brooklyn Bridge and she said, “Goran, this is a bridge I’m the bride”. I’m taking some English classes now I’m trying to change my accent. I need to learn more English and become more fluent.
Ask a New Yorker: What did you do in Serbia?
Goran: I was and still am a photographer -a photo journalist- for 17 years. I took a lot of pictures of famous people. Ex-premiers and sport stars. I also would take pictures at special events and different protests and demonstrations. I took a lot of war photos. So basically I’ve documented a lot of history in Serbia and how the democracy has changed. I’ve also taken many photos of churches and people worshipping. I’ve had art exhibition in Yugoslavia and Paris, Greece and Italy.
Ask a New Yorker: You’re an artist.
Goran: I think my life celebrates the artistic way of life. I don’t know why but usually I’m often at the right place and at the right time. Just recently I took a picture of Alec Baldwin when he punched the photographer outside the court house. It happened in a split second. I am always with my camera.
Ask a New Yorker: Do you have family here in New York?
Goran: I am here with my son Nikola. Nikola came to visit New York last year and he made a decision to stay and graduate from high school here. Next year he will start at New York Film Academy. His English is getting better every day. I’m glad he is following in his father’s footsteps and learning photography. I think New York is good for him because the city has a lot of opportunities. New York City in itself is a great education. It’s such a different lifestyle and attitude here. It’s very competitive and because of that New York makes you much better. You learn more and you have to give the maximum of yourself and you have to be always better.
Ask a New Yorker: Goran loves New York.
Goran: If you have an artist feeling in your soul then New York is the best place to be. New York is extremely energetic place to live for artist. I used to think Paris but after a few years in New York is the world center for art, photography, film, painters and writers too. New York is like a big diamond. One place I really like to hang out in is in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. It’s very laid back and open minded. You never know who you are going to meet. The best in the world come here and they could be painting on the corner. New York is a leader in art!
Ask a New Yorker: Very well said! Thanks Goran, and best of luck to you and your son!
