Last glimpses of Kosovo


These really will be the last glimpses, before I return to things Scottish.  But Kosovo is not yet widely visited, and having experienced it I wanted to show something of its current-day reality.

Above, and the two pictures below, the Sinan Pasha mosque in the town centre.  Built in 1615, it is in active use for worship today.  My two female companions and I were welcomed inside, without the need to cover our heads.  I thought the juxtaposition of the advertising sign and the mosque in the shot above was also notable in this respect.  Prizren mingles mosques and churches, crammed in beside each other.  We visited a cathedral under restoration (I am ashamed to say I can't remember its name), where we stood in the candle-lit interior listing to a nun having a singing lesson.  




Below, the Gazi Mehmet Pasha Hamam, a turkish bath dating form 1575.  It's in need of restoration - one call on funding among very many in this new nation.


A view down the Lumbardhi river, spanned by the 'stone bridge' dating from the 16th century. The bridge was washed away in 1979 - the river is tremendously fast-flowing even during the dry period we were there - and rebuilt in its current form. 
 

The Turkish influence is evident in tea, nargile pipes, and many bakeries selling baklava.


The pesky hobbits turn up everywhere.  As long as I don't have to sit through that film again...
 


The street on which our hotel was located, just out of sight at the bottom of the road. 
 

A typical snack food - seeds and nuts in various coatings.  Very tasty, and much healthier than Scottish snacks.
 


A small town we passed on the way south to Prizren.  Note the futuristic mosque minaret. 
 


And finally, leaving Prizren, with its backdrop of stunning mountains. 
 

Kosovo is far too complex a country for me to try to sum it up on the basis of a week's stay.  My overwhelming impression was of the people - welcoming, open, friendly, hopeful, striving for the future.  It is a young nation in terms of age of population - there are various estimates, but around 46% are aged under 25. I'm involved in only a very tiny part of their building for the future, but I feel privileged to be contributing.

Comments

  1. This definitely makes me want to visit. I love the picture of the street where your hotel was and I can imagine looking at that river for a long time.

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  2. It looks exciting to visit this part of the world:) I wish I had the guts to go outside my comfort zone; to go on holiday somewhere not knowing what to do or find there... if you know what I mean!?

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  3. A wonderful post. I am glad to see the sights and the experience was great. The history is so sad and its future really does hinge on its leaders which you hope will be as good as the people you met. Thanks for sharing.

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  4. That looks like a beautiful place. I love cities which are close to mountains like this.

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  5. Stunning photos - thank you for allowing me some armchair - tourism - I love that photo of the mountain above the bridge - it looks so cold! And we must still agree to disagree about the Hobbits - I watched it again with the kids on DVD and really enjoyed it! Sorry! Judy.

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  6. I really know nothing about Kosovo but your pics have inspired me to find out about it. Thanks!

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  7. I've just caught up on your posts! I've fallen behind on by blog reading a lot in the past few months for may reasons and I apologize for not stopping by sooner. I loved your posts about Kosovo, how lucky you are to have had the chance to visit there!

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  8. I haven't visited her in a long time and this was a pleasant surprise!
    It would feel special to be in a country that is not completely geared towards tourism.

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  9. Wow, your post has prompted me to look up a map to pinpoint exactly where you are in the country. I know so little about this part of the world. It is very tidy and your pictures do paint a peaceful place. Due let us know more about your efforts there. Cheers, Jenni

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  10. What a great trip. Thanks for sharing your photos.

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  11. Thank you for sharing these beautiful photos and interesting days in Kosovo with us! :-)

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  12. What beautiful photos - the juxtaposition of the lit advert against the mosque is quite amazing. And as usual you found something funny (Hobbiton) Thanks for sharing these with us. I wish I could have heard the nun's singing lesson!

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  13. What a beautiful country! I'll admit that I don't know much about it, but your post has made me curious.

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  14. How interesting! Looks like a beautiful country...you were there on business???

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  15. Thanks for an insider's view :)

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  16. How beautiful landscapes, magnificient!

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