Skopje

Republic of Macedonia

Temporary name: FYROM  (Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia)

May 19, 2015

Sometimes I just need to take a break.

Skopje, the capital of Macedonia, is just the place.  The bank of the Vardar River is lined with cafes.  I choose one and sit! 

The view across the river is of a brilliant sunlit extravaganza of government buildings and museums.

The bridges are lined with statues of both artists and political, military and religious heroes.

Mind you, I do stroll across the bridges, but I am inextricably fastened to my seat at my café. For hours.

Finally and with great effort, I cross the river again to visit the Holocaust Memorial Center for the Jews of Macedonia.

The museum contains almost no artifacts, only photographs and posters with historical information.  One can surmise that during those murderous years, not only was the Jewish population decimated but all of their belongings and treasurers disappeared as well.   

On the plaza outside the building, the bronze statue says it all.

I return to my hotel, but not for another coffee.   I need something stronger.