2024 Sep-Nth Macedonia Thu 19. Skopje

I woke up ridiculously early to catch the 4am flight from TBS-Skopje. I didn't actually sleep so was feeling tired when I landed. The flight segments were short so no real sleep possible. 

The Istanbul Airport (IST) international transfer was busy. IST is a large airport. I didn't spend too much time there, but will ne visiting is later when I return to Turkey.

Once you clear IST international transfer it is only a quick 1hr flight to Skopje. As you sit in the bus from Skopje Airport to Skopje city centre, the view is depressing. All your preconceived perceptions of depressive post USSR environment is reinforced. I was wondering what I had got myself into. 

I was expecting Skopje to be more modern/developed and more European. If anything it better matches old Eastern European architecture...my perception of what Eastern European architecture would look like.

The apartment I was staying at was in the middle of Macedonia Square. I thought this would have been a modern city. What I walked into was something leaning towards an old soviet apartment block. Probably comparable to the old UK public housing estates, but worse.

After walking up the dreadful housing-estate stairs I reached my apartment. I was surprised that it was a complete modern apartment in which to relax. I had a place that I could recoup and catch up on some domestics.

I have barely slept for 24hrs so I decide to go straight onto sight seeing. This is what I do.

This was when Skopje's magic hit me. This place is amazing! 

The architecture can be brutal. But every step I took led me to a new perspective. My camera did not stop taking pictures.

I have 3 days here and I do not think it would be enough. 

I saw the bridges, Old Bazaar and Skopje Fortress. This was my main activity before my tiredness took over. I had a long afternoon nap.

A night time stroll to take pictures was mandatory. Still a lot of activity around Macedonia Square. What a great city to visit. As they say, a great city to visit but not to live in (not for me anyway).

Tomorrow will be an early start and let's see how many unique places I have left to visit. Every corner has a statue or a building. You cannot take all the pictures. One needs to also "experience it". 

Today's pictures (heaps of them) show what it is like to walk Skopje and overtime you look around, there is a slight nuance change. One should never miss an opportunity to take a photo.