Macedonia...

Took a trip to Skopje, the largest city and capital of Macedonia and residence to a third of the total population. It is the country's political, cultural, economic, and academic centre.  There are over 660,000 inhabitants . The contrast between this city and the village we live in is more than dramatic. 

Took the bus in and proceeded to walk... and walk... and walk... and walk for quite a while.  We finally found the center of the city and decided to eat.  What did we choose?  Of all things, an Irish Pub.

Spent the entire day touring in and around the center of town and that evening, after eating again, we attended the annual wine festival.  There were maybe 12 Americans and we managed to sample many of the local offerings.

We caught (barely) the 11PM train back to our village.  This train was classic.  It reminded me of the trains you see in foreign films with the long narrow aisle on one side and individual compartments along the other, some sleepers some not.

Below, a small taste of the city! 

An earthquake destroyed 80% of the city in 1963

The center is formed of two entirely separate sections. The older parts on the north bank of the Vardar, which were mostly untouched by the disaster, contrast with the neighborhoods to the south which were mostly fully rebuilt. They are characterized by wide boulevards and include most administrative buildings. The nerve center of the city was the Macedonia Square and the reconstruction was made on the south bank of Vardar, which is connected with the north by a bridge.

Skopje made the transition easily from the capital of the Socialist Federal Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia to the capital of today's Republic of Macedonia.

Today, Skopje is seeing a makeover in buildings, streets and shops.Other projects under construction are the "Macedonian Struggle" Museum, the Archaeological Museum of Macedonia, National Archive of Macedonia, Constitutional Court, and a new Philharmonic Theater. The city's national stadium Philip II Arena and the city's Alexander the Great Airport are also being reconstructed and expanded.

                                                         

The city is also the birthplace of  Mother Theresa...

The new government has pledged to restore the Kale fortress and to rebuild the beautiful 19th century Army House, the Old National Theatre, and the Old National Bank of Macedonia – all destroyed in the 1963 earthquake. 

Next post will be about my site and job for the next two years!!!