Saturday 13th September

In the morning, after a breakfast of hot milk (sweetened), and brown bread, we went sight-seeing with Nehat.  He took us to see the museum, situated in a fort (partly Roman) overlooking the town.  The museum, however, was mainly devoted to photographs of partisans, in Yugoslavias various struggles for independence.  Our host pointed out one partisan leader, whom his father had fought against in 1903 – his father being in the Turkish army for 7 years. 



With Nehat, by Roman Fort, Skopje

With Nehat, Skopje

 

Macedonian Lady, Skopje

We then visited the Roman part of the fort, an Orthodox Church, and the Gypsy Quarter of the town.  The latter was most fascinating, as the costume of the people was most colourful – with the women in bright, turkish type trousers.  Our host refused to believe that my ancestors were Romany!

After a good, highly seasoned lunch at our hosts home, we presented sweets to the children, and then said farewell. 

We walked to the outskirts of the town and then accepted a lift in a horse-drawn cart for a few kilometres.  We followed this by a lift in lorry to Titov Veles – where we were unsuccessful in locating the official camping site shown on the map, so we walked out of town and pitched tent by the river Vardar. 

Owing to the fact the clocks do not vary from England it gets dark about 6pm.  We retired early – but unfortunately I had a slight nightmare – and according to my friend – I lept out of the tent, yelling abuse at the communists!  I think actually it was the noise of a passing train that startled me!