Meet The Beans
Ringing in the New Year-Macedonian Style
By Phil Lampron
There are so many beautiful people that I have met since first
coming to Macedonia as part of the MAK 13 group last September. So many great stories behind each meeting. First and
for emost, there’s my host family, Metodi and Angelina from
Sveti Nikole, who brought me into their home and treated me
like family from day one. Some of the best homemade meals
you could imagine. Something new each and every day.
They took care of my clothes, my room and my entertainment, even walking me to school.
The only thing missing was the
lunch box and apple for the teacher.
Taking me for long (sometimes too
long) hikes, Roman archeological
digs, meeting with the Dean of the
Russian University, as well as introducing me to other family members
and friends. Truly beautiful people.
Metodi is an art teacher who
also has several beautiful paintings
on display at the Russian University. At one time he was also a karate
instructor, having earned a seconddegree black belt. He’ll sit-up on the
floor with legs straight out and do
push-up with his fingertips. Cekaj,
cekaj. Still a very strong guy.
Next there’s my good friend
Jay, his wife Betty and their beautiful daughters Marija and Tamara.
Jay taught me how to play tabla
(backgammon) and amazes me with
his vast knowledge on a plethora of
subjects, including knowing six languages (at last count) as well as being extremely well versed in American history.
They also took me into Stip for the best pastramalija you’ll
ever have, outside of my host mama’s that is.
The more games he won,
the more we chanted
“Beat the Bean, beat the Bean.”
Then there’s my pal, Alexander, of KIC Photos, who generously gave me a ride from Sveti Nikole to Dojran on moving
day. I took pity on those who had to move by taking the bus. He
too has a beautiful family. We spent many afternoons drinking
coffee at Park Café. He had the espressos and I had the kakao
(hot chocolate).
His niece, Milica, who also works with him in the photo
store, owns her own hair salon. One day I went to her salon
and got myself a great haircut. Naturally, she wouldn’t let me
pay, no matter how much I tried. After the haircut, she took me
outside the salon and around the corner into the front entrance
what turned out to be her parent’s home, as they had a full
spread waiting for me when I arrived. Rucek, ouzo, and a lot
of laughs. A true first - a haircut including lunch. more great
people.
10 - pauza
By Brittany Gardner
Finally we come to the Bean family. Ok, so they’re not really the Beans, they’re really the Panevska family. Pops only
looks like Mr. Bean, hence, the Bean Family. The mother’s
name is Violeta, so we call her Mrs. Purple, then there’s the
daughter, Maja, and their son Zoran, or Zoki.
Sorry to keep repeating myself, but these too are really
beautiful people. Spent many days in their home talking, eating, more talking and definitely more eating. Then there were
the tabla games. Mr. Bean was the
master, winning most of the time.
The more games he won, the more
we chanted “Beat the Bean, beat the
Bean.”
Hard workers. Mr. Bean owns
a small pig farm on the outskirts of
town. Zoki makes the pig feed each
day for their farm as well as for other
farmers. Mrs. Purple works in a textile factory in Stip six days a week
and Maja, who holds a degree in
economics, does the housework and
helps with the cooking.
They invited me over to their
home to spend Christmas Eve and
Christmas Day with them. A real
Orthodox Christian Christmas, celebrated on January 7th. Christmas
Eve was spent with the family, great
dinner as well as the traditional
breaking of the bread.
The father breaks this homemade bread into pieces, where one
piece contains a lucky coin. First
he passes a piece to his wife, then
to Maja, Zoki and finally a piece to
me.
First, you break off a small piece of bread to later be put under
your pillow that night. Whatever dream you have that night is
then supposed to come true.
Then you look for a coin, which was baked right into
the bread, and whoever’s piece has the good fortune of having
the coin in it, would have the luckiest year of all those in the
family. This year, it would be Zoki’s year to have all the luck.
Everyone started his year out right by giving him some dinars.
Not a bad start.
Everyone stays at the table until dinner is over. A lot of
great food, some vino and maybe a short round of rakija. The
remaining food was left on the table for a possible late night
visit, namely from Jesus, and as a sign of respect.
The next day was Christmas. Not a day for opening expensive and sometimes unwanted gifts around the Christmas tree,
but a day just for family. Where families and friends spend the
entire day visiting each other. As tradition, the younger family
members visit the older one’s homes.
I’ve been very blessed in meeting so many great people in
Sveti Nikole, people who have taken me into their homes and
treated me like I was one of the family. Some people with not a
lot to give, yet give so much. Truly amazing and unforgettable
experiences. And still two years to go!
that the chairs did not slide out from under us upon every turn.
Upon immediate arrival at my site in Radovis on December
I must say that I was a little worried about our safety. All I could
13th, I was asked by several people what my plans were for
see out the windshield was the road ending over a cliff before
the New Year. Honestly, I had not even thought that far in
the combi whipped
advance with all of
around the corner.
the changes that had
The driver seemed to
been taking place. I
take no notice of all
soon began to realthe snow and ice on
ize, though, that a
the road, only hitting
person’s New Year
the gas harder when
plans were held in
the wheels spun out.
a very high esteem
We finally arrived,
and thought about
about an hour later,
months in advance
just before sunset.
(this was definitely
Upon exiting the
not the case for
combi, I realized that
anything else I had
the drive was worthexperienced
thus
while, as I stood
far in Macedonia). I
amazed at the brilliant
finally broke down
view. Rolling hills
and admitted to not
covered with snow
having any plans to
stretched out endcelebrate the New
lessly in the distance.
Year. My landlord,
Everything was so
Javorka, was astonquiet, bringing forth
ishe d and insisted
peacefulness that can
that I join her and
Haley Frego before the ride of a lifetime.
Then I went around to the front to get in, finding out that it was
already full, and immediately realized we were to ride in the back
with the luggage. We had to sit in freestanding chairs and
hang onto the metal bar overhead so that the chairs did
not slide out from under us upon every turn.
the other members of the hiking club on the mountain. I agreed
immediately, as this Colorado girl loves being in the mountains, but then later realized I should have asked for more details before accepting such an invitation.
I spent three weeks wondering if I would sleep outside, or
if there was a cabin with beds, if there would be running water,
and how would we get there, along with many other essential
details. When I tried to ask about it, Javorka would reply with
something in Macedonian that I understood as, “Don’t worry, I
will take care of everything.” About a week before the holiday,
I managed to convince another volunteer to join me, knowing
that everything is better with two (I didn’t mention to her that I
was unsure myself about what we might encounter).
On New Year’s Eve we waited anxiously for the combi to
arrive that would take us forty-five minute drive up the windy
mountain road. When it finally arrived, we opened the back
where we loaded all of the food that had been prepared and out
overnight luggage. Then I went around to the front to get in,
finding out that it was already full, and immediately realized
we were to ride in the back with the luggage. We had to sit in
freestanding chairs and hang onto the metal bar overhead so
only be experienced in such a secluded place in the wilderness.
As everyone hurried to get inside the warm cabin, I just stood,
awestruck, taking it all in. The sun soon began to set, portraying the perfect harmony between day and night as the moon
and stars shone brightly above the disappearing sun.
Finally deciding to join the others, I went inside the cabin.
I was pleasantly surprised to find many bedrooms, each having
their own wood-burning stove, and a very warm and welcoming dining hall. Everyone’s first priority was to make the cabin
look festive. Decorations from previous years were pulled out
of storage and we all jumped into help. I worked with Javorka
in putting up the New Year’s tree and hanging lights. By the
time we were all finished, every inch of the room was covered.
It was now time to eat. The food that had been slaved over all
day was put out on the tables to produce a holiday feast. For
the rest of the night we ate and danced and engaged in conversation. When the clock struck midnight a toast was made
and everyone went around exchanging New Year’s blessings.
We concluded the evening by dancing a few rounds of the oro
before we all went off to bed. What a spectacular way to commence my first year in Macedonia!
winter 2009 - 11