Fishermen cast lines from a wooden boardwalk that follows the cliffs surrounding Lake Ohrid in Macedonia. I had never heard of this destination prior to my arrival in Skopje, the capital of North Macedonia, but from the moment I arrived, everyone insisted I must go to Lake Ohrid. I was so glad I did, as … Read more
Matka Canyon is easily visited during a day trip from Skopje, North Macedonia using public transportation. It offers miles of hiking along the deep river formed by damming of the Treska River, as well as trails to three historic monasteries. A restaurant and hotel offer additional amenities, including boat trips to Vrelo Cave, purported to … Read more
Macedonia Square in Skopje, North Macedonia, is dominated by the “Warrior on a Horse” statue and fountain. Though meant to depict Alexander the Great, the sculpture is not named for him, due to an ongoing dispute with Greece over cultural claims related to the name Macedonia and historical figures that Greeks claim for themselves.
Newborn Monument in Pristina, Kosovo, symbolizes the birth of the new country. Kosovo was an autonomous region within the former country of Yugoslavia. After the breakup of Yugoslavia, leaders of the Kosovo region expressed their desire for independence. Forces of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (by then consisting of the Republics of Montenegro and Serbia) … Read more
Peppers, like these beauties in a market in Niš, Serbia, are a mainstay of Serbian cuisine. They are served stuffed and topped with cheese, roasted, baked, fried, ground into a paste used as a spread, and probably a dozen more ways that I did not try. I was told that Serbians eat meat for breakfast, … Read more
