From the high heeled Saturday night of Bitola, Macedonia, through intriguing Albania, to the awesome beauty of Slovenia, the Balkans has been a memorable journey. But what shall remain imprinted most firmly on my brain is the recent suffering of Croatia and especially Bosnia as well as the warmth and helpfulness of the people.Its remarkable that 10 years ago, although the conflict had officially finished, Bosnia was a lawless land of random and organised violence. Yet now, although the scars of war are all too visible we felt as safe free camping there as anywhere. Although the warnings about land mine caused some concern...
With Macedonia, Albania and Bosnia having majority Muslim populations it is surprising that, apart from the rocket shaped minarets attached to mosques, the call to prayer, headscarves, beards and prayer mats are absent, while alcohol is drunk with vigour and betting is a national pastime.Slovenia, with its high standard of living, pristine mountains and quaint alpine villages was like moving into a comfort zone before we tackled those high alps ahead.
1 comment:
Only Albania has a majority Muslim population. In Bosnia the largest of the 3 groups is Muslim, but they are still below 50% of the population, while in Macedonia only 33% are Muslim, while the majority is Orthodox Christian.
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