Blogs from Macedonia, Europe

I lie in today. I don’t sleep in because the hostel is noisy and about 930 they start hoovering and it goes on for a long time. Around 11 I get up, have a cold shower on my sunburn and head downstairs. There are a surprising number of people around. Emma from Australia and Essen from Finland are about to head for food so I join them. They want a view so I take them to where we were yesterday. We drink a few coffees and have a bagel and bacon. When I ask for mine without eggs he says they can do it but I won’t like it, weirdest response I’ve heard but at least it wasn’t a no. We sit chatting and eating for a while then we head for a wander around some ... read more

I head out before work and have another go at getting fruit. I find the old bazaar and buy two oranges, two nectarines and some cherries. Back at the hostel I make an instant coffee and eat my cherries and work from the hostel room for the morning. The cherries are amazing again and I get a task done quite easily and the morning passes quickly. At lunch I change location heading back towards Macedonia Square to the bar we were at the night before. They recommend a flatbread which is okay but nothing special but I work and drink two cokes while getting my calls done. I catch up with Kerry and then around half six I head to the fortress. On my way I pass the corn seller from last night and give him ... read more

I have plans around going to a bear sanctuary and a Serbian monastery but when morning comes around I opt for a lie in then I slowly pack my bags taking a very chilled start to the day. Once I’m ready I head to the bus station and as I’m looking for the bus I trip again. This time my leggings are split and my knee is cut. A woman tries to forcibly pull me to my feet but I have to stop her because I need a minute. She is trying to help but yesterday’s ankle is sore and I take a second to catch my breath before helping myself up. I find the Skopje bus and put my big bag under checking it is the right one and doesn’t leave until half 11. The ... read more

In 1963, a magnitude 6.1 earthquake shook Skopje, then a provincial town in Yugoslavia. Over 1,000 people were killed and 80% of the buildings were completely destroyed. Rebuilding took place throughout the '60s and '70s with the help of 78 donor countries and the result was a rather grey, utilitarian city. Our loft apartment is about 15 minutes walk from the main square, though we could catch the number 12 red double decker bus. We're in a building that survived the 1963 disaster and our loft is a rather wonderful space, full of eclectic furniture, pictures and fabrics. We have the choice of sleeping in a little corner room that has windows on every side or on a mezzanine 'shelf' in the roof. In 1991, Skopje became the capital of the country now named North Macedonia. ... read more

Bonjour à tous, J'ai enfin quitté l'Albanie, et toujours pas de "pelesse", pour la Grèce. Pour la première fois depuis bien longtemps, j'ai rencontré des problèmes de communication, en anglais à l'hôtel. Le fils du boss me paraissait avoir un anglais très élaboré, pas d'accent, mais impossible de le comprendre. J'ai toujours ma marotte obsessionnelle du cash, et la carte bancaire. Je tentais de lui faire comprendre, que je voulais manger à l'hôtel, et faire une seule note repas et nuit. Je n'arrivais pas à comprendre déjà s'il faisait restaurant, finalement oui, et pour le reste, j'ai utilisé Google traduction, je lui fait lire, et il me répond, je ne comprends pas. Du fait je ne sais lequel était le plus mauvais de deux. Il me dit après pas mal de palabre, que je peux manger ... read more