Exploring Skopje and Surroundings

After the tour, I stayed a bit longer to ask Dean some questions about the other cities that I'd go to in Macedonia. And another older woman did, too. I overheard her saying she wanted to visit the Kale castle, so I asked whether I could join her. She was happy with me joining, so we made our way up the hill in the stirring heat. Her name is Beverly (like Beverly Hills, and damn right she is a diva!), she comes from Atlanta Georgia and travels for 6-7 months per year being retired and all. It is so freaking inspiring meeting people like her. She's been in 119 countries so far and usually travels alone and via hostel hopping and buses to save money. As much as I really hate hostels and buses, I love seeing the dedication. We wandered the Kale castle and then visited the Mustafa Pascha Mosque. Luckily, they offer scarfs at the entrance, so that we could adjust our attire and then go inside the mosque. I've actually never been in one before! I liked the atmosphere in it, it was very peaceful and calm. I kinda liked that there is carpet on the floor and you could walk barefoot. It made me feel more connected to the place. I also liked that the interior isn't as pompous as in a lot of Catholic churches. Just nice little ornaments that look really pretty - totally enough and definitely not a waste of money like all the gold in Christian churches. I also liked that they have water stations outside where you can wash your feet (or, if it's as hot as it was today, your whole body) and drink. Of course, there is a separate women's section which I really dislike, but I don't have to practice the Islam like that, so I won't criticize that right now. It's too long of a conversation (or rather heated discussion).
After that, we made our way to the Bohemian district of Skopje to the Chardak restaurant which Dean has recommended to us. We talked about how most people don't understand us with the travel bug and how we spent so much money and time on it. One story of Beverly made me laugh really hard. Once she told her sister she'd visit Europe and her question was: "Where do they even pee?" Apparently, she thought we all wouldn't have proper toilets but rather only holes in the floor to shit through. And mind you, Beverly's sister has three Masters degrees and is therefore well-educated. But that showed yet again, that there's nothing like the teacher named traveling.
"But many Americans just don't travel outside the States because we have everything there. Lots of different landscapes, cities, history, animals, nature." Beverly said, and I understand the sentiment. Also, it doesn't help that Americans usually only get 10 days (!) of holiday per year. Wtf, 10 days! How in the world can this be legal, like honestly? If somewhere I'd only get 28 days, I would decline. I think it's against humanity. Even when you don't like to travel... But you need time to rest as well, even if you're just sitting home in your garden or in a park. And then the Americans can't even take sick days or else they won't get paid. And this country calls itself the greatest in the world... I'd say this is the greatest kind of propaganda I've ever heard.
At Chardak, I ordered myself the traditional Shopska Salad, which is basically made of lots and lots of cheese, cucumbers, onions and tomatoes. It's delicious and very filling. I also got some zucchini chips with some yoghurt sauce and they honestly tasted so good. I gotta have to try this back home. And for dessert I ordered a Trileche cake, which Beverly knew from her time in Mexico during Covid. In Mexico it's more like a pudding, though, whereas here it was more bread-like.
The huge salad, zucchini chips, Trileche and a bitter lemon only cost 12 € - insane!
When our tummies were filled, Beverly and I decided to call it a day and parted ways with a hug. I'll definitely keep an eye on her Instagram (@roundtheworlddiva).
Back at my car, I was happy to see I did not get any ticket, so it worked just fine extending the parking from afar (or just nobody came checking, but I'll never know). I hopped in the car and drove to the St. Panteleimon church which is halfway to the Millennium Cross. I decided against going there, as the last gondola ride was already gone. Instead, I enjoyed the view from the little holiday village right on the opposite side of the church that showcased lovely traditional Macedonian houses. I adore these stonewalls!
Then I drove to the Green Hill Lounge Bar and enjoyed a very tasty Mocktail there. I love traveling on my own. I can just spend the time as I want to.
At around 6 pm, I left for my apartment and went grocery shopping on the way. I got myself some börek with spinach and cheese inside, Ajvar, Smetana and some other treats. I'll have some more traditional Macedonian food for dinner (and breakfast and lunch, as it turned out to be quite a lot of börek).Okumaya devam et