Answer :

Prishtina, in Kosovo - a country that is only five years old.

Good Trivia Question

Where in the world can one find George Bush Boulevard intersecting with Bill Clinton Boulevard. If you know it, you can email me. Or I will post the answer soon. Stay tuned. 

Also, where is the only statue of Bill Clinton in the world?

Hard Goodbye

On Wednesday I had to say goodbye to a little town that I kind of started to fall in love with. Lake Ohrid is an amazing place that I would recommend to anyone. 

Between Saturday - Tuesday, during my time there, I ran about 27 miles, biked 35 miles, and hiked/walked about 20 miles. I did swim about 100 meters or so as well. Needless to say yesterday was a day off from my marathon training. There is so much one can do around Lake Ohrid, in Macedonia, and in Albania as well. It is definitely a well kept secret that most folks are not aware of. The lake for one is amazing. The food is great, and very inexpensive. The hiking is marvelous, especially with the sunsets. Walking through the town and seeing the old churches and fortress wall will captivate you as well. 

I will leave a few pictures from my last two days of my time in Ohrid - overall I spent 8 nights in Macedonia, 3 in Skopje, and 5 in Lake Ohrid. 

The iPad has better pictures that will be uploaded sometime in the next day or two - Giant OOPS on that one.

                                                     St. Stephen Church

                                             a friend of St. Stephen's

                                                      view from another side of the lake

                                                           I forgot which one

this was

                                                 one of the animals I saw on my hike

                                                        a few goats on the hike

                                                  a few sheep

                                          I went to Tri Mazi Peak -- means three middle peaks?

                                           one of the sunset shots -- not the best though

Lake Ohrid, Macedonia

Greetings from the Macedonian-Albanian border. I have been hanging out in this area known as Lake Ohrid since Friday evening, and will be here until Tuesday morning. From there I will take a quick trip into Tiranna, Albania.

Anyway, here is some information about Lake Ohrid - Ohrid Info. I walked and walked around this place yesterday, and today I am recovering from a LONG training run, so I have not moved very much today. I did meet a local - old fellow named James, quite an interesting man. His English was great, and he has family in a few different parts of the world. Below are some pictures that I have taken over the last two days here. Tomorrow will be a fun hike -- so look for more pictures then.

                                             Beautiful

                                                       old, old streets

                                               Ancient Theater

                                          In front of St. John, one of the most scenic spots around

                                                 not a bad sunset

                                                some goofball American in a tiger suit - weird

                                               My view at lunch today

                                            After a long run this was well deserved

                                            A view of another part of the city

Mother Teresa's Hometown

Skopje is the hometown of Mother Teresa. How many of you knew that one? I did not know it either. So in many areas around the city center, there are plaques with her picture and many of her famous quotes. I took pictures of all the ones that I could find. Here are the quotes. Enjoy, copy, paste, save, whatever you wish.

                                        my personal favorite

Skopje Earthquake

Read here for more information Skopje Earthquake

About fifty years and two months ago in Skopje there was a powerful, powerful earthquake, that rocked the entire nation. Yesterday, at the City Museum, I was given a wonderful tour by the guide. I gained a ton of knowledge in regards that fateful day in Macedonian History. This was during the JFK administration, so one of his greatest moves in International Diplomacy was sending numerous amounts of aid to the citizens here. Other countries also contributed to the great cause of rebuilding this small nation.

According to the pictures I saw at the museum, life carried on during the rebuilding process. The orchestra practiced in tents, government officials did their duties, and even makeshift schools, and post offices were built too. Many streets in this area have named dedicated to those countries that assisted them in rebuilding in villages and towns.

Feel free to read more on the Wikipedia link above.

These blocks are one of the ways that Skopje honored the 50th anniversary of the earthquake

                                    This clock has never moved since the earthquake here in Skopje. It was originally part of a rail station, which has now been converted into the City Museum.

Presentation Check at Midnight

Last night I was asked to check a presentation as my stomach was in the process of healing up. There is a lovely little lady from Turkey, who is pursuing a Master's Degree in Food Engineering. She has been here in Skopje for the week as part of a conference. Last night she wanted me to check her power point, before she gave her presentation today. 

Since I was unable to really move around with the stomach pain via hot pepper, I was more than happy to help the lady. Miss Fatma is from Izmir. I forgot how OCD I can become when it comes to presentations on power point. One of the greatest and more beneficial classes I took at WKU was Advanced Public Speaking, and it really comes in handy in situations such as last night. 

Sometimes in life we always seem to be teaching wherever we go in this world. 

Other food related pictures

The following are a few foodie pics from the last week or so

        As it turns out, I had been ordering vegetarian related sandwiches at my favorite place in Sofia. So I decided to translate the menu.

                              Yummy bakery down the street from our hostel. I have yet to try the carrot cake, but next week's long run will be rewarded with some.

                                               My dinner a few nights in a row last week.

                                           Tuesday's lunch at Saraj restaurant

                                                 Euro pancake at Cafe Crepe - a little Macchiato here as well

Amigos Cantina

One would not expect to see a place such as Amigos Cantina while walking through Macedonia Boulevard, in Skopje. It turns out that this Cantina is one of the most happening spots in town, perhaps due to the great food, and the Coronas, or Tequila shots on the house (not sure about the last part). 

I was invited along with new Hungarian friends Tomas, and  Akos (with an accent mark on the A). I was eager to try this place, and so they went along with the recommendations that I found through research online. 

I ordered baked enchiladas -- did not look like any enchiladas I had ever seen before. Tomas had a nice sized serving of pork chops. All I remember about Akos's meal was that he wanted to eat a kebab as soon as he was finished. Throughout the night I heard moans of "my meal was just too small". 

We eventually bought pizza by the slice down the street. As I ordered, the young girl asked where I was from - before I knew it she gave me a high-five in honor of Memphis. 

These guys then had the crazy idea to get on city bus, drink beer and just ride. That was an interesting experience, nonetheless. 

Tomas and Akos left yesterday, but I was offered a place to crash in Budapest, since there is a chance I may stop there for a few days before my event in Poland.

                                                 Those are called baked enchiladas

                                                     Statue at Amigos

                                                  A big remote on the ceiling of the bus

                                                   Tomas looking so excited to be riding

What a week

I have had a good time here in Skopje, the capital city of Macedonia. I am looking forward to vising a town known as Ohrid -- I recommend you look at the pictures of it. It is supposed to be a beautiful, beautiful place.

I even met some ladies last night that are from the Warsaw area in Poland. One lady's hometown is about 30k - 20 miles from where I will be staying during my week at Angloville, in Poland. I will not be looking forward to the weather there, but I will be prepared for it.

Now to reflect on the last few days in some more posts. Gotta have some more pictures too.

Hole in my tummy

It looks like I can not eat those hot peppers that I loved in Korea so much anymore. Tonight I could barely walk home after eating one at a little Turkish style restaurant here in the Old Bazaar area. So it looks like the next few posts will come a little later than expected :(. The stomach is feeling a little better, but I helped a guest here at this hostel with a presentation she is giving at a conference. So that took up a lot of the time.

Good news though, I will be home between November 26th, and January 16th or so.

It is getting a little cool here too.

Hello from . . . .

Skopje, Macedonia.

I arrived here at 3 am, after what I thought was going to be a six hour bus ride -- which was actually only a four hour ride. I spent a few hours sleeping and reading at the bus station, before trying, and trying my darnedest to find my hostel. I ended up getting a taxi to get to the hostel (incredible experience), and was able to start with some coffee and breakfast before going out into the city.

Anyway, I will upload a few pictures, and then tomorrow sometime in the evening, I will post like crazy. In other words, I will add three-five posts in one hour -- that will be the goal.

Tomorrow morning's agenda -- Go to the Holocaust Museum, and sit in a park and read a book.

                                                This guy was a well known revolutionary in the 19th century

                                                   Gate of Macedonia

                                              These next few I will get exact names for tomorrow (oops!)

                                                   Fallen Heroes Memorial

                                             St. Cyril and St. Methodius

                                             Lunch (all for under five bucks)

           These next two are the same (day and night), in Macedonia Square - maybe Alexander the Great?

                                             Warrior on Horse (aka Alexander the Great)

                                                   Skopsco Beer is good beer