This volunteer lost no time trying some of the region’s acclaimed wines and beers. And, of course, no trip
to ?????? is complete without sampling some of their famous local cuisine. ???? ????-- or frogs legs, so good
you could lick them off a stick. And ???? rats, a local Turkish delicacy, best served cold with a warm salep (freshly
squeezed from orchids that grow just south of ?????? in the famous Orchard of Orchids.)
I thought perhaps I had seen the face of God in the kind eyes of the local ????????s. Though their dress
and style differs from other, more accessible areas of Macedonia (for instance, the ceremonial bun wrap of Goce
Delchev, which is always accompanied by a white frock and worn as an omen of good luck against the perceived
dark magics of Greece), the inner light of these honorable people has shone like a green beacon of hope from time
immemorial, especially during the waning years of Empire.
Suffice to say, PivoVino 2010 was the premier event of my Peace Corps service. I only hope that you all get
a chance to attend PivoVino2011.
The Last Word
Church of St. Nicholas in Shtip (Deboarah Eveland)
Front entrance of Painted Mosque in Tetovo (Joany Yi)