Macedonia

Macedonia in a foreigner perspective

Yes, Republic of Macedonia is in Europe and not in Asia
Republic of Macedonia, City? Struga!

Macedonia was born in 1991, at the September 8 when it was decided to separate from Yugoslavia and it was admitted as a Republic by the United Nations in 1993.

Since then Macedonia started to win its own autonomy. But of course, as a new born country, it continues to be influenced by the past as well. This is seen in cuisine, for example, which now is made up from a mix of traditional Balkans and Mediterranean flavors. If you are interested in traditional food you should try the famous Baklava and the different salads. In Macedonia the language Macedonian, a Slavic language, is spoken. Architecture resembles mostly an Ottoman style and by confession the population is mostly Christian Orthodox or Muslim.


 Republic of Macedonia it’s a country where the nature plays an important role - full of mountains (80% actually), cliffs and lakes (Ohrid Lake, Prespa and Doiran). Ohrid Lake is recognized as UNESCO natural world heritage and the city of Ohrid, located on its shore, is recognized as cultural world heritage.

 In Macedonia there are more magic cities to visit: the capital  Skopje which is full of things to see and do. As a foreigner I advice you to visit this city when coming to Macedonia, as they always have big parties and shows at Alexander the Great Square. For the ones preferring more quiet things, there is for example the city park to have some snacks and watch a movie at the drive-in cinema.

 The third city that I recommend is Strumica, a place full of animation and nice people, with a big square, a mall, a big park. Located nearly in the mountains surrounding the city are beautiful waterfalls and around Strumica you find big fields full of tobacco plants, corn and grapes.
It’s awesome!


The fourth city is Bitola, the second biggest city in Macedonia, which is a center of diplomacy and a very modern place, with many cultural events, a variety of different sports activities, good hotels and an animated night life.


With this beautiful places and nature it is normal if you fall in love for this country, as I did. Especially if you are a sportive person, there are many outdoor activities to chose from, such as mountaineering, climbing, caving, paragliding, skiing and snowboarding. But also if you are a person who prefers to make long walks and explore the landscape Macedonia seems to be the right place, offering many old theaters, byzantine churches, archaeological places with per-historic remains. Such is the case in Cocev Kamen village in Sospko Rudare (Kratovo), where you can admire sacred temples with painted caves.



Besides all this wonderful places and things to do - as someone going to live here for nine months - I can assure you that people here are the nicest that I ever met, maybe even nicer than the people from my country, Portugal. Such to tell a small anecdote: In my third day in here in Struga I was moving to my new apartment, walking from the old apartment to the new one loaded with two big bags and two boxes. Suddenly a couple just stopped in the middle of the way and asking me whether I was needing help. I answered them “Yes, please.”, they picked up my things, put them in their car and gave me a ride just like that,  without expecting something in return.
Another example is that of my roommate and fellow volunteer Bella from Germany. In her first day in Macedonia she took a bus from Skopje to Struga and the lady sitting next to her was really nice, sharing food and becoming her friends in a few hours.

This is Macedonia, people!