It’s a small example of how everyday life can be a little different in another country.
The best meal I had this week was brunch at a small winery next to the Stobi archaeological site where I work. Sometimes if I forget to pack my lunch, I’ll walk or ride my bike over to the winery and grab breakfast there. I enjoyed fresh bread and an omelette with fresh tomatoes, salami and cucumbers while looking out across the vineyard courtyard area. It’s a peaceful place to sit for a few minutes before heading back to the office and continuing my work supporting the archaeological site.
This week I mostly listened to upbeat workout music while running with friends in my village. Running is a great way to explore the countryside here. Even though I didn’t listen to much local music this week, Macedonian music often includes traditional instruments and rhythms that sound very different from music in the United States.
The most fun thing I did this week was running a race through giant boulder fields, on top of a mountain, in the city of Prilep. The race slogan is “Run the myth, feel the legend,” and it describes the experience perfectly. The trail climbs through huge rock formations and the ruins of an old fortress where local stories say a medieval hero named Prince Marko once lived. As you run above the city surrounded by these massive stones, it almost feels like you’ve stepped into a legend. Moments like that remind me how incredible it is to explore new places and experience the history and stories of a country in such an active way.
