K's mother sent us an email stating: "You may not be aware of the unrest in Turkey which has been on the news over the past week or so. This morning the British Government warned it's citizens not to travel to Turkey unless it is for essential purposes." Turkey is our last stop before returning home. We haven't seen any news for a few months so are out of touch with world events. The Australian Smartraveller site hasn't change it's caution ratings for Turkey for a long time as it has been at exercise caution for months however the UK site advises its citizens not to visit. We need to investigate more to see what we will do.
The sun is shining, it is summer yet there is still snow on the mountain tops. What a huge day. Sneza and Vele took us to Krusevo - the town where a very famous singer was born - Tudor Proeski. Tudor was killed in a car accident at 26 in 2007. There is an amazing lookout with a view that stretches forever. People still use pack horses for their farming needs as they cannot afford machinery.
We then went to Krivoeastani to see Sneza's grandmothers house where we met her uncle. He grows lots of vegetables but makes his money from growing tobacco. He showed us how it is grown, picked and sewn together to hang for drying. Many people earn money from tobacco.
We next went to Prelep for lunch where we met Vlatko and his family. Vlatko is Sneza's nephew who spent hours helping us to find the best way to Samos. Vlatko worked in Greece for nine years but has returned to Macedonia because of the problems facing that country. We where invited for dinner and to stay overnight at their place but we had to decline but did go there for drinks whilst Vlatko continued to use his contacts for a Samos connection.
Vlatko earns €100 a month working full time but the generosity never stops. He cuts and sets granite for graves. He gave K and I a vase and bowl he made from granite. What people lack financially they make up through kindness. There is such a community spirit where people stop and talk or help. There is also such a sense of fun and the socialization doesn't stop.
Finn and Tilly played with Vladkos children and others and again the verbal communication was zero but they had a ball. They went to a dance session where musicians play tradition Macedonian music with accordions and drums and tradition dancing accompanies. Everyone was having a ball.
We're loving every minute of being here. It isn't particularly pretty, it isn't for tourists but its the people that make us see why Sneza and Vele love it and want to keep coming back. It's one of the most friendliest and interesting places I have been too.
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