Drunkin Georgie

After our first day of language lessons some of the current volunteers, MAK 13 and 14s, took us down into the city of Kumanovo so we can walk around, do some shopping, and grab a drink.  It was a nice walk down the hill, and at that point we did not realize that we would have to walk back up it later haha.  We came in through the outskirts of the city and kept walking until we reached the center of the city.  At the center was a statue.  One of the current volunteers, Kacey, explained that the statue is of a man named Drunkin Georgie.  He was the town drunk who was very social, as all drunks are, and everyone around the city knew him.  When he past away the city made a statue of him in dedication so they would never forget to have a socially blissful life, just like Georgie.

As you can see in the picture, Georgie has his right hand out.  It looks like he is getting ready to shake someones hand, but in fact we found out that there once was a beer in his hand and that someone stole it.

In the city of Kumanovo, we saw a grocery store, that is a combination of a grocery store, pharmacy, and also has a home decoration/appliance section.  Sadly, they do not sell peanut butter.  We also saw a bunch of clothing and shoe stores, coffee cafes, and restaurants/bars.  After walking around we sat outside at a local bar and talked to some of the current volunteers and got advice and hear stories about their time here in Macedonia.

Kumanovo is considered the 2nd or 3rd largest city in Macedonia, depending on what city you are saying it in.  Our hotel, Hotel Satellite, is outside of the city on the border of a small village. I have also been able to walk down the main street and you can see houses, chickens, goats, and every house has its own garden for growing fruits and vegetables.  Right now the locals are collecting red peppers (that will be later turned into the Macedonian traditional spread called ajar), apples, the last of the tomato harvest and the corn harvest to feed their animals during the winter, and the beginning of the squash harvest.  The locals stop and stare at us and we were told that they wonder why American would come to their small city and villages.  We were told that it is not until we make a true connection with the people by talking and socializing with them, which right now is hard since all we can say is "hello" "my name is Michelle" and "I am from America" the foundation of a conversation, but a conversation stopper as well, that they will view us as one of the family (the whole community) and take care of us.  That will be nice to see.