Robert came at 11.15 a.m. I had my breakfast at 9.00 a.m. which is included in the bed night price (of course I am not paying it as I am the guest). There were 6 choices, one was continental, 2nd was thick Shorba of Beef or vegetable and then 4 Combination of eggs. I asked for fried eggs with sunny side up and there were 3 eggs, bread and cottage white cheese with coffee or tea or milk.
Last night sleep was good. I watched T.V. for a long time. In the morning, there was a dubbed Hindi Serial on one channel. I also removed some items from the Rucksack and used my last sachet of Indian Tea.
First of all we went to the Bus Stand which is a walking distance from here. Robert’s younger son (5-6 years) was in the car. We went to book ticket for Thessaloniki for 7th August. It was for 1230 Dinar. Robert did not allow me to pay the cost. He said that this is our Association’s contribution to your adventure trip. I thanked him but was not feeling comfortable. I have comfortable position of money kept for all the trip and Bus fares.
I have not used my credit card yet and I don’t think it will be required in the next few days.
We drove and met Robert’s wife and his daughter (older than the boy). We greeted and then drove a few kilometers along with the river. Then parked the car and started walking up the river side. This is a Hydel Power Station and a lake formed due to the dam. There was a narrow path up to the hill side and then the temperature changed from hot to cooler. At the end, there were a few restaurants by the side of the lake or canyon formed. We had some drinks, rested and then after an hour returned to the car.
Today is Sunday, and it is picnic time for people from Skopje. We drove back to the hostel after leaving Robert’s family near their home. I saw two persons rappling down a very difficult cliff near the dam while a number of people were taking bath or jumping in the lake before the Dam. Robert told me that this hydel project for producing electricity, has been here even before 2nd World War and this was also a point of war between French and German (Nazis).
I took some rest in the room. Outside it was still hot and after shower I came down at 6 p.m. Devika and Himanshu had spoken to me on the phone when we reached the Dam and was still in the car. It was after long time they have spoken to me. Himanshu will go to Switzerland after a week or so. It was nice to speak to them.
Robert came at 6.45 p.m. and his family was in the car. We drove to the hill on the top of which is a big cross installed in 2000. We climbed the road for some time and then the road had a barrier. We were told that the road is closed from today because of danger of forest fire. In fact we have to go to certain distance by car and then there is a lift going to the top where there is a cross. We returned back and then drove to the other side where there is an old fortress. The view of the Skopje City is very good. Sun was setting and sky was reddish in colour. Fortress is also closed and we could not go inside.
Robert has a good knowledge of these areas and history related to them. He told me that fortress is closed for the last 2 years due to tension between Muslims and Christians. Govt. wanted to build a church on one side whereas Muslims think that this is ottoman fortress and should not be disturbed. According to Robert when Turkish conquered this place they demolished churches and built mosques. Only three churches were spared as they were lower than the earlier existing mosques. Later I saw one such church. We walked to the other side where scene is entirely different. Congested houses in large numbers of Muslims mainly Albanian. One side Romas live. They have their own municipality and also Roma Major. There was one unfinished building which is museum of Roma queen Esma Teodosievska who is from Skopje. Robert and I went further down to see a church which was not demolished by the Turkish as it was lower than the mosque.
Robert’s wife had gone to drive the car to this place. The church was closed but we could enter the court yard, the main church where all the frescos and paintings are there was closed.
We then drove back to the hostel and went to the restaurant for dinner. Raeki, wine and plenty of food was ordered. Baked mashed tomatoes were a new dish. Then three type of grilled meat with stripes of baked bread. Robert’s father-in-law distills Raeki at home and Robert will bring a bottle for me. This restaurant is open from one side but there is a very thin water shower that makes the sitting pleasant in this hot season. Robert’s children also enjoyed the evening. Then I watched T.V. for a long time, first the Olympic Games and then the view of the shooting in a Sikh Gurudwara in the U.S.A. and went off to sleep.
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