MACEDONIA, GRANDEUR and excess
October 15 to 21, 2015
Macedonia, a country rarely spoken of and full of surprises. I knew nothing of Macedonia (outside what the guidebook said) before arriving there and I still don't know how to describe it. In the capital I saw a grandeur and excess unmatched and on the coast I saw beautiful Byzantine stone work. Yet in the streets I heard tales of poverty and struggle. The Macedonian mask is a thick one I suppose.
Skopje
October 15 to 19, 2015
Wow, just wow. Skopje is like some sort of adult Disney Land with history and architecture on showcase rather than colourful cartoon characters. It may not be an 'international city' like the mayor hopes, but it certainly is a mix of international cities.
The walking tour guide made some fun comments about the envy the mayor has regarding other cities around the world. He believes, their grandeur comes from the items they are known for rather than the events and their people, so he buys up replicas of major attractions and mixes architectural styles to create a city similar in look to Las Vegas but without the people and attractions to support it. The city is in huge debt from this out of control spending and building.
For an outsider though it was a ton of fun! The city has many museums to enjoy like the Holocaust Museum, the Museum of Contemporary Art, the Mother Teresa Memorial House and more.
The walking tour guide made some fun comments about the envy the mayor has regarding other cities around the world. He believes, their grandeur comes from the items they are known for rather than the events and their people, so he buys up replicas of major attractions and mixes architectural styles to create a city similar in look to Las Vegas but without the people and attractions to support it. The city is in huge debt from this out of control spending and building.
For an outsider though it was a ton of fun! The city has many museums to enjoy like the Holocaust Museum, the Museum of Contemporary Art, the Mother Teresa Memorial House and more.
 | We found this tourist map and thought it summed the city up quite nicely. On it you will find a collection of all the over the top statues and buildings and next to most of them a little construction sign shows there are so much more to come!  |
The Mother teresa memorial House
Mother Teresa's reputation is a conflicting one and I know some people hold some strong opinions both ways, that she is a saint and that she is far from it. Regardless, without debate, I was excited to be here and found it, although lavish, a great tribute to a historical figure. In the house you can find photos, clothing, a baptismal certificate, and belongings from Mother Teresa's life.
Lastly, as I was leaving the city I thought I'd snap this one last photo. It shows another side to the city out of the center of town. To get to the hostel I walked by these buildings, out of the tourist center, and into a residential neighbourhood with modest homes and obvious poverty. As much as I loved Skopje, I did find it difficult to comprehend how the two parts of the city fit together, how one part could the way it was with the other the complete opposite.
Ohrid
October 19 to 21, 2015
Ohrid was a town I heard about quite a bit while researching the Balkans, an apparent favourite with young people and backpackers. I had a great time there, though admittedly I didn't see many backpackers at all.
Ohrid is a coastal town with some great outdoor space, a small town feel, and a ton of lovely Byzantine architecture. Like Skopje, there was a definite love of statues and aestethic beauty.
From our young tour guide only did we learn of the current unemployment situation in Macedonia, apparently one of the worst in the Balkans and wider Europe. He explained the best business to be in there was the cafe and restaurant business because the cafes were full all day with the unemployed looking to kill time.
Ohrid is a coastal town with some great outdoor space, a small town feel, and a ton of lovely Byzantine architecture. Like Skopje, there was a definite love of statues and aestethic beauty.
From our young tour guide only did we learn of the current unemployment situation in Macedonia, apparently one of the worst in the Balkans and wider Europe. He explained the best business to be in there was the cafe and restaurant business because the cafes were full all day with the unemployed looking to kill time.
Churches of St.John At Kaneo and Saint Panteleimon
I absolutely fell in love with Byzantine style churches after my visit to Ohrid. I find it mixed so well with the gold-laden mosaic-style Orthodox iconography. I have few words to say, so enjoy the photos :)
Country Summary
|
|
RSS Feed