The Stone City Kratovo and a few pictures...

I went to participate for the event (Youth are Back!) in the city of Kratovo. Kratovo is town arround the stone mountains, historical bridges, historical and very old trees and there is a river that passes in the middle of the city. The city can be stone but The city's people are a soft-hearted and gentle souls.

The Kratovo name come from the krater – volcano because the city ıs situed on the volcanic area. And The city has a different etnich group, mostly Macedonian and Roma and Turkish people live here.

The river is like a necklace arround the city. The old trees make shadow while people sit on the banches and you can hear the sound from the birds and river. All this sound is magical so you don’t want to go back the city. This city gives people peace. 
If you want to stay here, you can choose a Hotel Kratis. The room is clean and comfortable and offer easy access to sites, shopping and dining The room service offer good food at a reasonable price.

The Kratovo area is great for a road trip adventure where you can see the amazing Kuklici, the Monastery of Joakim Osogovski, Lesnovo Monastery and the Towers of Kratovo.

Lake Matka or Matka Canyon...

If you want to go to the Lake Matka, you can use a bus. 30 minutes drive from the city centre. Also it's a hydro electric power plant. There are many hiking trails here. 

Don't forget the swimming short! 

Matka Canyon is one of the outstanding work of nature included in most of our trip. During it's long geological history of vertical erosions the Treska River created step notches of over 250 mt and sides 1000 mt high.

On of them is Vrelo cave, one of Europe deepest underwater caves. The Cave is open for a visit all around the year and is only acceseble via the lake boat. You can find the boat near the St Andrew Church.

You must see here:

It has got a hotel, how much i don't know and it has got a restaurant but it's expensive. You can trekking or rent a boat  for visit the lake.This village communities very peaceful and you can rent a house(5 people 50euro/day). 

Skopje continues and Millenium Cross

This city seemed magical with linden scent, street musicians, birds chirping, the Vardar River, historic places and people.

City, which appeals to all the senses, this city is impossible to forget.

Firstly, i visited Gate Macedonia  - Skopje Art Bridge - Warrior on a Horse - Macedonia Square - The Stone Bridge - Philip II of Macedon - Old Bazaar Skopje - Mountain Vodno and Lake Matka.

The city like as a live museum. Everywhere filled a history, the building, statues and memorials, Vardar River, people, traditions... and It is possible to find cheap hostels to stay in the city (9-15euro)

When you look the arround mountains you see thing is the Vodno Mountain and Millennium Cross.

Next day, before i went to bus station and i used the bus of numbers 60-65 and i went to the Millenium Cross. This is incredible beauty. It's the world largest cross. You can use the cable car(teleferik) or ride bicycle or walk. The cable car(teleferik only 1.75euro). and you'll find yourself within the world's most beautiful views. You will lose your breath when you seeing gently flowing river Vardar, paragliders soaring through the sky, the hanging frame is Macedonian Mountain succes.

I like is a very much it has park for a childeren. Also available in shops where you can get food and drink.

If you say you are bored from the crowd, which is about 10 minutes walk you can walk back up the hill. You can be made mini trekking while viewing the lush green mountains of Skopje you can be alone with nature.

a few pictures from Kumanovo...

Where is Kumanovo?

Kumanovo is one of Macedonia’s largest city located in the middle of a 35 km long valley to the northeast of Skopje.  It is well known for its unique blend of Serbian and Macedonian culture evidenced by the feisty fun-loving Kumanovci (as the residents are called). The city and its outlying villages represent Macedonia’s exceptional multi-ethnic blend containing as they do Albanian, Roman, Serbian and Turkish minorities.

Kumanovo is located at the junction of E-75 and E-871 routes. The 40 kilometer highway exists between Skopje and Kumanovo, going near Kumanovo in the north and crossing the border with Serbia. A railway also connects Skopje with Kumanovo and Serbia. E-871 is the other important road that goes from Kumanovo to Kriva Palanka and then to the border with Bulgaria.

Kumanovo City Centre (photo by: Vesna Markoska)

Hello..

Hello, It's Kubilay Han.

I’m a new volunteer in CID Kumanovo, Macedonia.

I came from Istanbul, Turkey. I’m interesting in Turkish language teaching, music organizations and NGO's training. 

I came in Kumanovo fifteen days ago. So, in here, I want to do something about different culture and tradition. And I want to create some organizations for and with people.

I think, EVS is perfect opportunity for everybody before the work-life. Because in this way I’m improving myself. I’m learning new language (Macedonian) and developing the English Language. Also I met new cultures and I've new friends in here(Bulgarian, French, Macedonian, Serbian, all Balkan - Europa - World area). That’s all great experience.

And EVS is really beneficial about humanity. Because we are learning to be helpful in here. We are sharing our accumulation with some workshops and activities. For example, I’m teaching to Turkish to someone and I’m learning Macedonian and French and Bulgarian. It's spectacular.

I think two weeks is enough time for me to know this city. Mountains, city center, near city(Skopje) and big-hearted people. So it looks like a pretty town. And local people are helpful. In here I did not have any problems. In addition, I awared something that Macedonian and Turkish Culture looks like each other. I watched people and their life and their behavior. 

My story is like this. It will continue...