Arriving in Skopje, Yugoslavia

We were probably to hear no news from the outside world for the next two weeks, and our money was running out like water. Even with the bare essentials we spent $15-$20 a day and now had only $1,000 left. ( Apart from money put aside for the flight home at the end of our journey.) Once we arrived we changed $50 and were shocked that although their money has devalued, inflation runs at 500% a year, so things are actually as expensive as Greece. We were fantasizing about shopping sprees. (Exchange rate - $1 = 12 Dinar. We left the station, and there was snow everywhere, not only were we going further North but we were getting deeper into winter. There were soldiers everywhere in strange green uniforms. We walked vaguely in the direction of the youth hostel, and with a bit of luck and help from the Macedonians we found it easily. The foyer was full of People who were obviously not travellers, and we were confused for a moment, thinking we had made a mistake. Until we found out that it is also a base for some kind of social security get together. We got a room for two with heating and a bathroom down the hall, with constantly running hot water. All for $10 each including breakfast of tea ( black and sweet) and 2 slices thick crusty white bread and liver pate with cheese. This was relatively good value, but not as cheap as we expected. They took our passports at reception and we went up 2 flights of stairs to our room. It had blue walls, two real beds with blankets and 3 chairs! Luxury compared to Athens.

Photo by Cuckove