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Zdravo friends, My journey to Macedonia has been one dreamed over a lifetime and I can honestly say it was one of the coolest places I have ever been. Travelling with my best friend Brendan, we started our trip in the capital Skopje, a city lost between finding a modern identity and building tourism through a traditional identify. The most obvious example of this is the Skopje 2014 project which aims to encourage tourism through the construction of faux-classical European architecture and more statues than I have ever seen before in my entire life. To many of the locals who I spoke with about the project is considered a massive misuse of public funds with the project costing somewhere between €200-€500 million and running years over schedule. The significances of this, is no laughing matter in a country struggling with unemployment and massive youth diaspora. Diaspora is such an issue that people make jokes like “only 20% of Macedonians live in stress and revolt. The other 80% live in Australia, the US, Canada, Germany, Sweden, the UK …”. The only upside is the faux historical vibe created by project Skopje 2014 is that it has given the city a particular charm. Featured works such as the MASSIVE monument to Alexander the Macedonian, are even accompanied by their own backing track! On our second day, I fulfilled the real purpose of the trip and ventured out of the capital to visit the provincial areas where my family had grown up. Outside of the hustle of the city, you are met with a completely different experience. The population were ferociously proud of their heritage and generous beyond belief. I had the exceptional joy of meeting some of my cousins' relatives in Bitola and Rotino, where we were treated to a delicious home-cooked lunch that could have fed a small army. It was such a pleasure to be able to see the house where my Baba grew up and to see a different side of the country. After lunch, we ventured to Lake Ohrid which is one of the most visually stunning places in the world. While there we explored monasteries and ate some of the best fish soup I have ever had. You can picture how incredible and beautiful it would be in the summer and I can’t wait to go back again soon. This trip wouldn’t have been possible without the help of our amazing tour guide Vlado (v_veljanovski@hotmail.com), I would recommend his services for not only Macedonia but all Balkan countries. Also a big thanks to Urban Hostel (http://www.urbanhostel.com.mk/) for your wonderful hospitality and beautiful comfortable room.