Day 252 - Tuesday - 5/22/2012

Waking up in Ohrid, is something to experience in life FOR SURE! I had personally been to Ohrid before, but getting to go there and stay over night was wonderful.  We found an amazing place to stay, Apartment Kaneo, which I would recommend to anyone going to Ohrid. 

The front door of Apartment Kaneo

The walk way to the apartment from the lake

The owner of the apartment had shared with us the night before that it was possible there would not be any water today while they cleaned out the pipes.  This brought us a challenge for finding a place to eat breakfast, most places could not prepare food since they did not have water. But we found a little place right on the lake and had a great meal. 

The restaurant 

Hamburger

Greek Salate

After our meal, we headed up to St. Jovan church, it is on the side of the cliff looking over the lake. The view from there is so priceless. We also stopped to take a few pictures on our walk up to our next site.

At the gate to St. Jovan

St. Jovan

Walking, St. Jovan in the background

Lake Ohrid

We continued walking up the hillside toward the ancient city of Plaosnik Pateka. Ohrid has an ancient history.  Plaosnik was discovered when a group was starting to dig for a hotel they were going to build. They found some runis which caused their building to cease so the ruins could be uncovered. In the uncovering there were several layers of civilizations discovered built on top of one another.  It is interesting that this has been found because throughout Ohrid, this is happening once again. Unfortunately many people have stopped reporting things they are finding as they build because it will mean not getting to build. It is a hard situation, people want to be able to build and live their lives, but that also means not uncovering history. Also in the area with the city of Plaosnik is the church St. Panteleimon which is a new building built to match what would have stood there. There were beautiful mosaics framed inside from the original area.

St. Panteleimon

Next was Samuil's Fortress and city walls. The fortress dates back to the 4th Century BC, and is thought to have been built by Phillip of Macedon.  We paid the small charge to get inside.  We walked through the ruins within and then walked up on top of the walls. 

Samuil's Fortress from inside

On the city wall

My family inside the city walls

Another spot in Ohrid that is a must see is the Ancient Theater. It is from the Hellenic period and was built in 200 BC.  On this trip I learned that amphitheaters during the time tended to seat 10% of the cities population. This amphitheater was used for many different purposes throughout its very long history, currently the city still uses it for music concerts and festivals.

In the amphitheater

Walking back through the city we took a few other stops, including the City Museum and a Paper Making Workshop. I had been told to try and go to the paper shop in Ohrid, but I had NO what was inside. We walked in and saw his beautiful work, and then saw a Gutenberg Press, a GUTENBERG PRESS!  It was amazing to see and touch! We spent some time in his shop, watched him make paper and talked with him. A day to remember...

Outside the the Paper Making Shop

Where he makes the paper

The Gutenberg Press

There was another stop that was recommended to us by a friend, the fish soup restaurant. We were successful in finding it, and oh man it was worth it! We had an amazing dinner!

Fish soup

Pork roll

Baked pork dish with peppers

Pork dish with a creamy sauce

Making the best of every situation, after dinner we went out and effectively enjoyed the very rainy and windy weather!  We even walked back to the apartment nearly blowing away but laughing the entire way.

Touch your sign and make a wish...even if its raining!

We were a bit wet..soaked even when we returned

The owner of the apartment Ljupka offered us some of her delicious home made cake when we returned. It was an experience for sure and we all want to try to figure out how to make it when we return home!

Lesson: We live amongst our history, we have to decide if we will cover it and forget it, or make it part of our lives. 

Day 251 - Monday - 5/21/2012

Day two with the family in Macedonia. Today was to be the day for South East European University. I was able to parade my parents around the campus and the Language Center at SEE-U introducing them to all people we met. I also got to take them to my writing class. The students did a wonderful job sharing their writing with each other and my family in an Author's Circle. This is not something that is commonly done, so I think it was beneficial for all those involved.  

Writing Skills 4 class- THEY ROCK!

Following our time at the University, I was able to take my parents to meet Vesna's Parents. Vesna was a huge part of my life in Tetovo. She has sense moved to the US for school, but it was still important to me to have my parents meet her parents! 

Desserts with friends

I of course had to also take my parents to see the American Corner which has been such an important part of my time in Tetovo. It was extra special that they were able to see all the books that they had helped send to Tetovo from the US. The books never would have gotten here without the help of many people in Nebraska, but these 3 people were key in it all. I am so blessed to have a family like them!

To save drive time tomorrow, we headed to Ohrid this evening. The drive there was uneventful, but getting to the apartment was a bit more challenging. I had been to Ohrid before, but not as the driver.  Our apartment was in the old town area, so getting to it was a bit challenging, after trying 3 or 4 different paths, we stopped on the side of the road and waited for a guide. It was aparent after that why we had trouble finding it. But wow, the location was wonderful, beautiful and worth the trouble. As was the apartment and hospitality offered at Apartment Kaneo.

Lizzie and Cassidy were waiting to meet us for dinner in Ohrid, so that they could finally meet my parents in person.  What a fun moment when they all officially met. Its different talking to someone in person than just on skype. We also had a delicious dinner!!  Of course we took pictures!

the salads

bread with AMAZING garlic dip 

Grilled squid

Chicken and mushrooms

Ohrid Cake

It was only day 2 and we were already tired, so it was off to bed to get ready to sight see tomorrow!


Lesson: There is no pride like a teacher's pride for his/her students!

Day 250 - Sunday - 5/20/2012

After 249 days, it was finally time to see my family.  I can not believe how much time has flown since January. This second semester has gone so quickly. I have finally started to feel like I live here in Tetovo, I know my way around more, I have to ask less questions and I am pretty independent.  It is a great time for my family to come and experience and see where I have been and what I have been doing since September.

They arrived late late last night, but this photo above is the first one we took out on Erin and Cassidy's balcony when we woke up that next morning!  Monday was to be our first jam packed day. We started by driving to Matka, a canyon just outside of Skopje. I had not yet been there during my time here so this was special for many reasons. Erin joined us as well. Mom mentioned how much of the scenery reminded her of parts of Wyoming. I think I may have been too young the last time to fully appreciate it, but I feel as though I have been given new eyes.

Walking up towards the canyon

Where the water comes out of the canyon

Walking towards the dam and canyon. With Erin!

The ladies!

The canyon

The church at the canyon built in the 1300s

Riding the boat to the caves

Riding the boat to the caves

Riding the boat to the caves with mom being silly!

Inside the cave

Following Matka we traveled to Siricno to a restaurant called Delfin. It is where Vesna took me my first weekend in Macedonia, so I knew that it was a place my family had to see as well. We had a traditional Macedonian meal with family style salads, cheese, grilled bread and french fries with cheese followed by a big meat plate. OH MY it was so delicious!

It was off to Tetovo after our big meal. Our first stop was up to the Kale on the hill. It is a place I have gone to several times, but getting to show the family was special. It was a great first stop because it gives a view of the entire city of Tetovo and further! This was also the first ruins (of many) that we were going to see. My family is so well versed and cultured with experiences, but not with first hand experiences abroad. It was so awesome to get to be with them as they began to experience with their own eyes this history they know so much about.

Cass at the Kale!

Mom and I at the Kale

Mom and Dad with the city of Tetovo behind them

The evening brought a very special dinner.  Gezim and Saranda from the American Corner took us to Vrutok for fresh fish. Arianna, Saranda's sister and my student also joined us. We had amazing company and a wonderful time. For me it was so special to introduce my family to the people that have come to mean so much to me and then introduce the people that have become a part of my life to my family. It was an evening I will NEVER forget.

Traditional Macedonian Salad- family style

Lesson: Sharing things with people that mean the most to you, helps you realize how much these things mean to you. 

Day 249 - Saturday - 5/19/2012

Today was the last day for my Kid's Club and English Club at the American Corner. As I have said many times, these groups are one of the the highlights of my time here in Macedonia.  Today only reinforced this.  It is amazing that I have the opportunity to get to work with such amazing kids and youth from the community of Tetovo. I have so loved every minute I have spent with them and their families!

Spring time! The theme for today was to be BUGS!!!!  We started as we usually do, reading a book about bugs and then coloring our books. We then got to make bugs out of clay! It was so fun to see the kids creativity in their bug creations!  Following our indoor creativity, we headed out side for a song about bugs with some silly actions. The kids started to pick up the words to the song, but the actions were immediate and they were so darn cute!!  To finish our time together we played a round of Duck Duck Goose, only with the words "Bug Bug Butterfly!".  What a wonderful time!!  

ENGLISH CLUB

It was time to debut our video!  The kids sat and watched their amazingly created video about everybody wanting and deserving love.  Thanks to Ingrid Michaelson and Cabin 24 Records, we were able to use the song, Everybody. The video turned out amazingly.  The kids sang in 5 different language: Turkish, Romani, Macedonian, Albanian and English; all the languages spoken in their community. You can watch the video on youtube:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=37_-zL-1OgA 

Following the debut of their video we headed outside in the sun for a good game of Charades, boys vs. girls. The winners this time were the boys...but I think the girls would agree we WANT A REMATCH!   

 The kids that have been coming to the American Corner for the clubs I have been in charge of will have a special place in my heart.  They are an amazing group that has bright futures ahead of them. Every time I was with them I was impressed by their knowledge and perseverance!




Lesson: The imprints left on your heart are forever.