Kumanovo

Feriha's hometown.
Feels like any secondary town in Malaysia.

Where it's not about the attractions the city has to offer.
But the people and connectedness between everyone living in it.
How they welcome and accept you as is. And offer the best of themselves to you.
Home cooked food is the best. So simple but so much love.
Bread with cheese and ayvar. Organic lamb boiled and baked with herbs and butter. Homemade sausage with ribbon pasta and white cheese and ayvar. Jogurt.
Burek. Oh Burek. Spanat Burek. And Bosnian style cheese Burek.

Skopje is nice. And there are history lessons to come alive in the city. But you won't find much in the newly erected statues. To me, it's the surviving old town and mosques and churches and Kale Fortress. Though you will need a local to bring you around and listen to the stories she can share with you.

Turkish coffee is a must in the old town. Hot and cold dessert is a must in any place that offers them. Don't underestimate Shopska salad, especially when you need to have it with alcohol. Macedonian beer or wine will do.

The largest bazaar outside Turkey is a must. Locals and tourists (like me) roam the stalls that sell everything under the sun. They don't mind you taking photos. Even gladly let you see what they sell. They'll cheerfully ask if you like Macedonia. Though I don't understand them. Haha.

Filigree souvenirs are exquisite but expensive for a low budget traveller like me. Would have loved to buy their traditional shoes with hand-sewn beads but... You know.

Matka Canyon is beautiful. Very peaceful. Still not touristy. The 6 km hiking trail is worth the effort. Reminds me a bit of the fjords where you feel like you're venturing into secret places only few know about. With the still waters between rocky hills occasionally broken by rowing kayaks and boats, and the cooling wind that caresses your face when you just stand there admiring the wonder of nature right in front of you. Of course, the fjords were very much colder, the freezing kind.

I will be back. Not for further exploration of this beautiful country but for the wonderful family in Kumanovo.

p.s. the journey to get to Skopje from Kumanovo through the villages will bring you past beautiful landscapes, but also past the mafia village of Harachino, which I wouldn't have noticed if Feriha didn't mention it.