When planning my trip to Macedonia, I decided that it would be nice to not only experience Florina and Thessaloniki, but also parts of the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. According to web sources, Ohrid is supposed to be a beautiful place, so Ohrid it was.
The tiny problem is that there is no public transport between Florina and Ohrid. I googled for a solution, and found that the only possibility is to take a taxi from Florina to Bitola (which is in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia), and then take a bus from Bitola to Ohrid. The price for this: I had to pay 40 Euros to get from Florina to Bitola – this took about half an hour. Thereafter, the bus cost 210 dinars (about 3.5 Euros) for a ride lasting more than one hour. On the way back, I will do the same in reverse: a bus to Bitola and then a (the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia) cab to Florina. Maybe that will be cheaper.
When I got to Ohrid, the “Norwegian male syndrome” hit again – I did not want to ask for directions, so I started to walk around. Looking at the map now, I see that it is terribly easy to find Sunny Lake Hostel, but I spent quite a lot of time looking for it, obviously getting to know Ohrid a little in the process.
Ohrid is ridiculously beautiful. The lake, old churches and other houses – everything combines into a very picturesque place. Of course, it is also full of tourists, which is not so good, but at least it means that I can walk around in shorts and sandals without anyone protesting.
The hostel is okay. One single room costs 12 Euros a night, which I find reasonable. Breakfast (mostly bread) is included, as is wireless internet (quite important these days). The hostel is in the old part of town, close to the center of town. It seems to be quite new. This morning, I saw a list of “Longest-staying guests” downstairs, with only one name on it. I asked how long this guest had stayed: he came two days ago and leaves today… :-)
The main problem with the hostel so far is that the water in the shower seems to be either scolding or freezing. Maybe there is a trick…
(I know that the use of "the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia" as a name for the country I'm in is disliked here. However, it is currently the name recognized by the Norwegian government, as far as I can see in official sources.)
Edit: I have exchanged the term "FYROM" with "the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia" in the text above after being made aware that "FYROM" is not an acknowledged short form of "the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia".
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Hm, FYROM is not a name. FYROM is not an acronym. If Norwegian govt. uses UN provisional reference, then they use "the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia".
ReplyDeleteFinally, it is extremely rude to tell your hosts what is their name. Constitutional name of my country is "Republic of Macedonia" or short form "Macedonia". These are your options between you can choose.
And don't try to mask your rudeness and lack of etiquette with Athenians propaganda. Propaganda is propaganda, it is unheard that 7 billion people can name their roads, streets, monuments, stadiums, highways, language, country, and ONLY 2 million can not. Just read http://www.un.org/en/documents/udhr/
Have a nice stay,
Kiro
Kiro,
ReplyDeleteYes, I see that you are right, there is no internationally acknowledged short form for the name of the country which I am currently in. The name used by the Norwegian government is "The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia". I should not use FYROM as a name.
I am not trying to tell my hosts what their name is - they are of course free to use whatever name they choose. In this blog, I will refrain from using the name "Macedonia", however, as it is prone to cause confusion as I will be staying partly in the province of Greece using that name and in the country using that name.
Thank you for wishing me a nice stay. I can assure you that I am enjoying Ohrid immensely. It is a very beautiful city, which I will recommend to my friends. I am glad that I took the trip to this side of the border when my job took me to Florina.
:-) I forgot to mention that while you stay in some country, you should obey the Constitution and all the other laws. That means that it is Macedonia or Republic of Macedonia.
ReplyDeleteThe confusion between Luxembourg and the other Luxembourg, or Macedonia, Ohio, and Athens, Georgia are not confusions?
So feel free to call my country Republic of Macedonia, Macedonia, Македонија or Република Македонија, and you can call the part of the other country with the usual names - Macedonia, Greece, Northern Greece, and similar...
Athenian propaganda will tell you lots of stories, but ask around in Florina how many "greeks" speak non-greek local slav dialect (i.e. Macedonian language). And it will dawn on you why Athens insists that occupation in 1913 is "liberation"
BTW, try go get to St. Naum monastery (10 euros for taxi or taxiboat), maybe Trpejca, Gorica, Lagadin and of course, in the town of Ohrid - the ancient theater, fortress, Church of Holy Mother, St. Sophia...
ReplyDeleteEternal peace in the "slavic Jerusalem" :)
if you are going back to florina from bitola you can call Bit Taxi at 077 610 238 (call as soon as you can in advance) and they can arrange a taxi to take you across the border...and they speak English
ReplyDeletei agree with Kirev , everyone staying in some country must respect the local people,their culture and together with constitution and laws in that country!
ReplyDeleteand about anyone not doing this.....then hell stay in your norwegian contry and do not travel around!
you know how u will feel if i come to Norway and think and say whatever i want about name,culture and so on........ obviosly you would not like that!
so keep in mind show respect to everyone!
Aleksandar: I can assure you that I did indeed respect the local people, the culture and the constitution and the laws during my stay.
ReplyDeleteI had a pleasant stay there, and would love to come back at a later date.
I am sorry that the Norwegian official designation for your country is insulting to you, but I'm sure that this is being discussed at the correct diplomatic level.