40 days out

Update

T-minus 40 days! 

Soon I should be hearing about staging and related logistics. So far, I've done a few online courses via our virtual training space - some stuff around safety & security regulations, as well as some general ideals and expectations of the Peace Corps. Of course, me being super excited, it didn't take me long to get them done (okay....if I'm honest, same day!) 

In the meantime, here are another 10 interesting things about Macedonia.

Countdown! Today's Ten Macedonian Things

1. Language: As mentioned in a previous post, Macedonia has six minority languages. One of them is Turkish. As the name suggests, this is the national language of the Republic of Turkey, a matter of hours away from Macedonia. Overall, there are an estimated 71 million native Turkish speakers. It has official status in Turkey, as well as in multiple provinces in both Kosovo and Macedonia. According to Macedonia's 2002 census, Turkish is spoken by around 3.5% of the population. 
   
2. Music in Macedonia: Conveniently, when I was trying to think of a Macedonian musician who also speaks Turkish, one came to mind -- and I've actually seen him perform and met him. Ismail Lumanovski is a talented clarinetist from the city of Bitola. He has performed all over the world and I am sure will be sharing his musical gifts for years to come.
   
   
   
3. History: What is now Macedonia was under the Ottoman Empire for a bit over 500 years, from roughly 1400 to 1912. In 1371, Serbian Empire forces lost the Battle of Maritsa, and after the Battle of Kosovo in 1389, much of the Balkans fell subject to the Ottomans. 
   
4. Geography: Earlier I'd mentioned Lake Ohrid, the largest lake in Macedonia and UNESCO world heritage site. Lake Prespa is the country's second-largest lake, and is located less than 10 miles away and some 150 meters higher, so it actually also feeds into Lake Ohrid. This great blog post touches a bit on some more of the underground works and waterways and how it manifests in the region.
   
5. Animals: Despite being a small country, Macedonia is home to a fairly wide array of flora and fauna, including this pretty cute little creature. Known as a chamois, it's considered a type of goat-antelope, and can be found across Europe.
   
   

   

   Source: Wikipedia

6. Nature: As mentioned in my previous post, one of the national parks in Macedonia is Mavrovo. It is the largest one, boasting 11,750 hectacres of land and water, including Lake Mavrovo. Perhaps most iconic is the scene of the (occasionally, depending on water levels) seemingly sunken church of St. Nicholas. When a nearby dam was built in the '50s, the water level rose, claiming the church for itself. I will admit that it does make for some beautiful pictures, though.
   
   

   

   Source: Rilind Hoxha, UrbanGhostsMedia.com

7. Religion: Previously we'd touched on the most common religion in Macedonia, Eastern Orthodoxy. The second most common religion in the country is Islam. In Macedonia, most people are Sunni Muslims. The majority of Muslims are ethnically Albanian, with other ethnic groups represented to varying degrees.
   
8. Art: Tying into religion, one of the things I am beyond excited to see with my own eyes is an absolutely beautifully decorated religious site. The Painted Mosque, or Šarena Džamija (Шарена Џамија in Macedonian) is located in northwestern Macedonia in the city of Tetovo. Originally built in 1438, it is different from many mosques of the Ottoman era for a couple of reasons. While ceramic tile was commonly used for decorations, this mosque in Tetovo is covered with bright painting. Additionally, on an architectural note, it also lacks a dome as is usually found in mosques the world over. Perhaps most interesting is that while mosques of this era were typically funded by men of some political and financial standing, this one was was actually funded by two sisters, who are buried near the mosque. [Image source: Wikipedia]
   
   
   
   
   
9. Holidays: Also related to Islam is the month of Ramadan (Ramazan, or Ramazan Bajram). In Macedonia, observant Muslims also fast from sunup to sundown for a the month of Ramadan (which is at a different time each year, as Islam observes a lunar calendar). In some areas in Macedonia, people may also walk the streets just before sunrise beating a drum - serving as a wakeup reminder for those who need to eat before the daylight begins.
   
10. Food: One of the most well-known foods in Macedonian is ajvar (ајвар). Made from roasted red peppers, this condiment can serve as a spread, side dish, dip, or whatever else one desires, basically. While one can buy it at a grocery store in the Balkans, many people in Macedonia will prepare it themselves.