Paris

Three days after the deadly attacks in Paris on Friday, 52 out of 608 of my Facebook friends still take part in the social network's "French flag campaign" by applying the filter to their profile pictures to show their support for France. So did I.
Why? For the moment it's not a gesture of politics, but of humanity. Of course one could ask, why I don't use a Syrian flag filter or other filters.
Well, firstly, I couldn't find other filters. Secondly, campaigns like these are only active in special circumstances, in Syria for example people are dying almost all the time. When exactly should I change my profile picture? Thirdly, France is a neighbouring country and in some parts of Germany Paris is closer than Berlin! Fourthly and most important: I really feel sorry for my French friends and people I spent time with during my Erasmus semester. These are the ones of my Facebook friends who mainly use the Frensh-flag-filter. In second place are the ones who spent a considerable time in that country.
Thus, applying the filter is a lot about personal consternation. I think at first there is nothing wrong with declaring one's solidarity right after the tragedy happened. You shouldn't blame people for doing so.

Scars of War

While standing infront of this house at Ulica Jakice Altarca in Jajace, Bosnia and Herzegovina, I was wondering about the people who lived here. Maybe a family...? What did their life looked like? Why didn't they come back after the end of the Bosnian War in 1995 to rebuilt their former home?

To put it short, scars of war are deep. Some are visible, others are not. Outsiders are astonished why the country still is not cleared of mines. To the present day, it's dangerous to go hiking in some parts of the mountains. At the sight of beautiful nature in Bosnia you can hardly imagine the hidden danger.