Skopje, Macedonia’s Old Bazaar Video Walkthrough
July 11, 2009 by Darren Alff
As you walk northeast, away from Skopje, Macedonia’s modern center, you cross the city’s famous old stone bridge and enter its hustling and bustling Turkish quarter. Here, the streets are lined with small shops selling clothing, jewelry, antiques, food and souvenirs. The streets twist and turn in a number of different directions, but as you slowly make your way through this maze of stone streets, you eventually find yourself in the city’s old bazaar.
The city bazaar is a place unlike any you’ve likely seen before. For most people, places like this only exist in the movies.
The streets of the old bazaar are jam packed with men, women and children selling a million different things. From black market watches and DVDs, to switch blades, buttons, watermelons and shoes, Skopje’s old bazaar is one truly unique locale.
The video below shows me walking through the streets of the old bazaar in Skopje, Macedonia.
I apologize for the shaky camera, but I was walking quickly (in an attempt to show you everything) and at the same time was trying to hide my video camera and protect myself from the pick pocketing children that I’ve encountered time and time again in various parts of the city.
If you enjoyed this post, be sure to follow Bicycle Touring Pro on Twitter, Facebook or via RSS.
[...] There was also another large part of the Bazaar dedicated entirely to the sale of food. All sorts of fruits and vegetables were being sold here – and some for amazingly cheap prices. Click here to see video from The Turkish Bazaar. [...]
Love your site. Brand new at this bicycle touring . I have a few questions. Where did you lock up your bike?? Everytime you enter a country ,do you exchange for the local currency?? How does your gps system hold up in remote places??? Thanks, love the site with many more questions to come.
JP
JP,
Here are some quick answers to your questions.
1) Where to lock up your bike? Read this: http://bicycletouringpro.com/blog/locking-up-your-bike/ and http://bicycletouringpro.com/blog/how-to-secure-your-bicycle-belongings-when-going-inside-a-building/
2) Yes, when going to a new country I usually exchange money once I get there. However, I only do this if I have to. If I can use my credit card for all purchases, I will. Some countries, however, don’t accept a lot of credit cards, so cash is necessary. I rarely carry more than $200 USD, however, so that if I lose the money or it gets stolen it won’t be that big of a deal.
3) The GPS system works great at long as you have a clear sky. My GPS doesn’t have roads on it, however, it is a pure wilderness GPS that gives me direction only. I’ve found that this, in combination with a map is all I need. but if you want street maps for remote countries, I assume you will have to purchase that software on top of the cost of your GPS… and that’s assuming there are maps available for the areas you are planning to visit.
Hope this helps! Let me know if you have any other questions.
[...] Skopje, Macedonia Old Bazaar Video Walkthrough [...]