If you arrive in the city by bus you will most likely pass by the Parliament building; from the number of flags outside you will have no doubt as to which country you're in.

Macedonia is incredibly proud of the late Mother Teresa being born and raised in Skopje. After living in Macedonia and possibly modern day Kosovo until the age of 18 she left for Ireland to join the Loreto Sisters. There are placards across the city and on the Macedonia Gate celebrating the Saint and a dedicated Memorial House was opened near the statue of Alexander.

The Old Town features a large bazaar but the real market lies outside to the west. Here you'll find produce, gas cylinders, textiles and trinkets.

In the late evening I met a delightful Brazilian, Antonella. Antonella had returned from Ohrid in order to fly to France early in the morning to volunteer at a refugee camp. Talking with Antonella was wonderful, we shared our concerns and the challenging experiences that we had faced. Listening, offering and receiving an outside perspective I really value the few hours we had.