Macedonia Travel Guides

one more time for the road, pre-feed the foot on your sail, and travel to eat in Macedonia, to taste what shaped the universal spirit of macedonians like justin'd'law, costa'd'free or alex'd'great  

"although everything you need to know about our Cuisine is already noted in post #31 with few intentional leftovers [1], let say its better if and when others blow their whistle  so, bon voyage et bon appetit in the macedonian realm

however Prilep is considered to be town of ww-liberators that gave ideologists like MircheAcev, MetodijaShatorov-Sharlo and our first postwar president MetodijaAndonov-Chento but they were more on Ayvar than on Turshija (pickled peppers,carrots,cauli) coz Ayvar is fabulous condiment to any idea  only they didnt succeed to unite Macedonia as they want #45  but at least we are connected to the other parts today by the peppers that are typical emblem for Macedonians, coz pepper is to Macedonia what corn is to Kansas [1] still who knows who invented the famous Ayvar but actually its turkish name that means salty caviar (hay-var) tho its etymology suggest on deeper meaning as divine dwell in (God is present in) and yes Ajvar is our local inland caviar! today is mostly made from socalled aivarka that actually is industrial variety brought in '60s from east, that became popular coz its large fruit and less effort for preparation... 

although today our Ayvarka pepper is grown in Strumichko Pole, peppers were as always pelagonian alicia, among whom Kavardjik is the most strongest, cultivated also in Skopsko Pole, but the best local pepper is Selska macedonian variety of Capsicum microcarpum today mainly used for salads and meals and normally for our pepper spice Bukovec that as balkan brand is sold by the name Aleva (in azeric - fire), actually selska is balkan counterpart to chilli especially when dried, and maybe best variety is known as Vezena piperka - vezulka [1][2][3][4] dried is best served as cooked + breaded, also roasted for makalo etc. its name Vezeni (vez - embroidery) came from its embroidered pattern, always strung on long rope necklaces that are architectural ornament across whole Macedonia (video above), and in Prilep regularly companied by stringed tobacco leafs for which is believed are among those with most poisonous nicotine in the world [1] usually first class of tobacco leafs from Prilep goes directly for the best pipe tobacco blends and brands [1][2][3] but also in old good times a blend of Oriental and Virginia was sold here as MT from Kumanovo and Jugoslavia from Prilep, the first one abbreviation for Makedonski Tutun (macedonian tobacco) and really hardcore one, best macedonian gold for tabakera

as plant tobacco cover large part of our agriculture, it is estimated that 200k people live from it in the country i.e. 1/10 from the families in RM today are involved in and around tobacco cultivation, it is one of the most important industrial crops for Republic of Macedonia, possessing around 60% of the areas planted with industrial crops, and an average share of around 35-40% in total agricultural export [1] on other hand in the last few years we have euro-active anti-smoking campaigns that aim to clean at least the public spaces from smoking [2] restriction that came down to many as nazi act [3] nevertheless half population in the country is smoking, enjoying when damping in all junk leftovers of tobacco i.e. one cannot sell the cow and soup the milk, or can then at least its unearthly looking plant among our mountain peaks [[COLOR="#0066cc">4[/COLOR">] 

other thing about Pelagonia is that there people live longer than anywhere else in our country, as in towns so as in the villages from this region, average 75,8 y., example seven years longer than those around skopje [1] so definitely if one looks where to settle his traveling bags or camping gear, in same time having ood conscience that dont abate hosts life-powers, then Pelagonia is the right place, but have in mind that if u dont disrupt their health for shore u annoy their peace, when it comes to the villages, where money cant buy u happiness, at least in rural parts where time stopped long ago, example the village Oblakovo (cloudy, around clouds, Place in the Clouds) etc. 

in other hand when walking in skopje among those ageless people, and looking them from pelagonian perspective, then u can truly understand their strive for some globalized rush, place where driving bike is like driving luxurious time spender, or even worse a health hazard that is obligated only for those that cant afford to have three or more cars, that is already rule coz our mother-lawn skopko pole is garage for 200-250k vehicles tho officially 140k are registered [1] at least this can be used as bribe for some michelin stars or puzzle out why we are still not listed as city at least with one http://www.viamichelin.com/web/Restaurants/Restaurants-Skopje-_-Makedonija-Macedonia 

its strange how the three inner massifs Baba, Yakupitsa and Mariovo even in modern times share striking similarities i.e. despite their geographic connections, all of them hugging and hanging around the pelagonian valley, they are also similar by geologic composition > their origin is from Tertiary, noticeably from their mineral layers [1] tho this is rather my conclusion than official one, which states that the pelagonian mountains are from Precambrian age [1][2][3] hm maybe then was added some true essence from the Sun, mentioned in the post #5 earlier, so later when human souls fell on this planet they could absorb some liberating knowledge from it, that had been passed on further, yep its stil circulating as such [1][2][3] and dont mind any insomniac buzz!    

indeed its there, but this feldspar knowledge today is pushed out by ego-life-habits e.g. my mountain, mine peak, my age etc. yet even today if we put some contemplative impulse from the Eternity of Light i.e. the Heavens Realm this could easy wipe any evil adversary as is the ego (nationalism,supremacy,materialism etc.) and i testify that seeing with this eyes we are all macedonians, europeans or earthians [1] instead e.g. serbians-greeks-bulgarians coz as is case with these last three, usually people use rather ethnographic than geographic eponyms, tho today macedonian became also ethnographic one coz no one of the neighbors want to identify as such, altho all of them once were part of it, and it could be said the same for yugoslavia as modern eponym but without such glory that had have the ancient macedonia so it could last forever, e.g. thats why i think it would be better to be used the term Mokra than Yakupitsa for the mountain massif near Skopye, but most of the people behave as lajtif from the feudal proverb "where all turks goes, there, also goes little ljatif", tho even for me its tempting to call these mountains after the founder of israelites [1] even tho Yakup is the islamic version of the name Yakob, nevertheless it is evolving matter that if continue to be ego-driven it could eventually end named after Barack, if his bondsteel team erect there winter-nato-resort  anyhow here u can even now visit some famous barracks in the natural reserve Yasen, where world presidents and celebrities are eating fish while chasing wild goats and other game breded in this ego-hunting place [1] also here was one of the famous ex-yu underground hideouts [2], but is strange why the command object in zeljava base is holding the same name [3], only our Jasen is small command bunker in comparison to the main ex-yu atomic-shelters [4] stil it is mysterious ex-yu facility [5], tho even today i'm not sure that the real one is opened
for the public, even tho officially the authorities say it is, yet is hard to believe in that when have in mind that this mountain massif is our largest cave-stronghole [1]

http://www.jasen.com.mk

the name Mokra (wet, soggy), probably came coz it is full of springs, but definitely coz its soaked in the largest fresh water basin in Macedonia that is right underneath the mountain, and on top of that now there is accumulation formed from once the fastest river in the country, the river Treska that had carved the famous treska gorge, which ends in Matka where is preparing for rendezvous with Vardar, actually with those two new accumulation kozjak and matka our advanced governments dis-advance the nature and microclime in this region that is known as Poreche or Porechie meaning upstream, settling down its powers as they had done also with our largest canyon on river Erigon in Mariovo...

this was example case with Menka, a bear from the revolutionary village on mount Pelister called Tsapari, which was found near as little bear beside its mother, once a local big-game trophy, and from grief she was kept and raised on fishpond at the end of the village... it was unbelievable scene, true rural attraction for those that heard about, and many adventurers visited the place just coz Menka, but the most special thing was that she was free, living and eating at the fishpond but also flirting and rumbling in the mountain, and from time to time, even her boyfriend have been coming near the fishpond! one couldnt believe how much Menka was clever, fast and strong yet gentle, and most of all friend! 

first time when i saw how little girl is feeding her from hand, it was something out from this world for me! yep the granddaughter of Pande have feed this massive animal with its own hands, then despite all fear among many, also saw others approaching and checking own bravery while giving daily snack to Menka, tho this was also easy way to be photographed with her, after all it was wild animal that dont hang around like your domestic dog or cat! anyhow, Menka was very eager for sugar, apples and rakiya, normally the "owner" give her bread and fish, but coz all of that was on the regular menu, Menka didnt bother too much about it, as she was about the sweet goody! many gave her sugar from plate, but there very also those that gave her sugar from their hands, it is pointless to assure u if u cant imagine that, and even more if I told u that this was done also by small children! not that this is something unbelievable, there are many examples of bears as pet [1][2][3][4][5], but Menka was unique coz 4 years lived double life, as domestic or wild animal when and what ever she liked, plus near so much people, with never fenced free spirit! 

nevertheless Menka was wild as any wild bear, and altho living at the end of the village, many didnt had pleasant dreams, so finally someone shot her down, some say that she became danger when was starting to descent in the apple fields below the village, others that the real reason was political coz Menka was right-winged as its guardian, who even once painted VMRO on her belly, also he had saying "Menka VMRO-vka prava Makedonka" i.e. Menka the revolutionary is the real macedonian... 
I think that in this case no matter how tamed Menka was, or why its Pande didnt cage her, at least fence the fishpond, altho sad stil I found this action of safety,  to be genuine! maybe police had done it, without telling the owner about, so it could prevent any anger or vendetta, coz believe me she was for him more precious than his life, coz he became mother and father to her, and in same time not some pet or live trophy but another member of the family, its hard to explain this, but hey after few years even grizzly can become best friend, normally if u have enough food to share! now only memory from her are just private photos and videos, and one documentary dedicated to Menka, which author composed even this requiem after her death, so all that ever meet Menka could bring to mind memory of her...

bears arent thirsty carnivorous except the polar ones, but could easily wipe out anything if smell danger, altho rarely [1][2] then its clever always to have plan for any case scenario [1][2][3]  usually as all animals bears also reacts on adrenalin rush (fear) from the opposite side [1][2] and in case u cant calm ur self and try slowly to move from her way, or somehow scare her, that is usually case when cubs are around, then as Pande says > its best to run < but not up or down or to climb three, but only in sideway which eventually will trow the angry bear from balance and force it to give up the chase! but this would not help with wolfs [1][2] for them only solution is Sharplaninets > the Mountain Tzar [3] so always have one if U decide to live in macedonian mountain, and instead of hunt any pests, learn how to defend or avoid them! people should shift their hunting or imprisoning paradigms, yes its difficult but lets try, at least dont imprison these wild animals in zoos, and then dont kill them without good reason, tho even then could be found more human way to settle the problem, if the animal at all is the problem! even in this case with Menka she could be driven away to some wild sanctuary if she became danger for the villagers, tho I also believe that she was not, stil everyone cant live happy and free knowing that their neighbor has bear instead dog at his fishpond, this village has population of 500+ so at least few of them could lived with constant fear, altho on whole mountain there are bears that regularly come at villages on this altitude +1000m amsl, and in this way at least one can always be prepared for bear greeting card...