Escape to myself

I arrived here by minivan this morning. An easy trip which dropped me five minutes from this fabulous hostel in a mid nineteenth century listed house right in the centre of the old town. The room is beautiful and I have an antique bed with painted headboard … I feel like a king or a tart! A beautiful courtyard to sit in. All for €39 for three nights.

The day has been warm and sunny, the hostel is full of friendly guests from all over the world, all willing to chat. I’ve had a first walk through the old town which is almost Mediterranean in feel. Beautiful houses with delightful courtyards, cobbled streets, Roman, ancient Thracian and Ottoman remains; a cocktail of cultures and a jewel around every corner. I’m so glad I came. This is a glorious part of the country; mountains surround the city which is built on seven hills. From the top of Nebet Tepe there are views over the city. This hill top contains remains from the 7th century bce to the 14th

Century … an intriguing place.

The old houses around the old town are beautifully decorated externally and have quite an Ottoman feel to then with their courts and balconies) they reminded me a little of the houses in Mostar. They were mostly late eighteenth century.. the museum if ethnography is housed in a fine example.

Tomorrow I will visit the Roman amphitheatre and other treasures. The day ended with a wonderful dinner at a local restaurant with Victor(UK), Ella (Sweden) and Vulcan ( Turkey). Interesting and thoughtful people. Much controversy, conversation and laughter. We talked about gender, sexuality, national characteristics and literature. I’m privileged to travel in this way meeting new people, making connections and maybe leaving something good behind.