After petitions were signed, permission slips handed in, and the buses loaded our annual overnight excursion could begin. At 8:00 a.m. we all stumbled on the bus, and found the closest available seat, and sat down. We had a long day ahead! I think that most of us slept throughout the first half of the trip. That is until we arrived at Kokino. Only a few of us were aware that there would minor hiking involved in this trip. Most people weren’t prepared, and had just woken up, but as soon as you got to the top it was worth it. The view was gorgeous, and everyone started whipping out their cameras. Luckily no one tripped. On our way down we realized that instead of getting in the bus people were crowding around it. Finally, when we arrived at the bottom we noticed why. The bus was stuck in the mud. For the next forty-five to fifty minutes the boys were attempting to push it out. We thought we were going to be stranded in Kokino, and never make it to our final destination, but with determination the boys finally managed.
After about two loud hours of being on the bus with energized ninth graders, we reached Štip. After being told when to be back at the bus we all dispersed with our little groups of friends. Most of us were dying to have some of famous pasramajlija. I tried it, and it was delicious. After about two hours of exploring the town, we headed back to the bus. Satisfied and having our full energy back we made our way to Strumica.
After arrival at the hotel we unloaded the bus, and made our way to the entrance of the hotel. Here the staff and teachers handed out keys, and we rushed to our rooms. Everyone did their own thing at the hotel, and around 7 p.m. made their way down to dinner. After dinner the girls hastily ran back to their rooms to get ready for the club. The boys followed at a more comfortable pace. At 8:30 p.m. we met at the bus, and attendance was taken. We then drove to the center of town where we brought to go clubbing. We danced all nights, and shortly after 12 a.m. we were back in the bus, taking attendance, and ready to go back the hotel. At the hotel we let loose visiting other rooms, and making tons of noise. There were also a few mishaps.
The next day breakfast was served at 8 a.m. Not too many people were excited about that early of a wake up call, but we got up anyway. Then we went back to our rooms backed our bags, and were back on the bus. This time we were headed to Vodoca. We hiked up a small road that runs up the town and leads up to the Veljusa, the church. The garden was kept beautifully and the atmosphere was relaxing. We were given a short history by one of the nuns that live in the convent. The church was very small, but preserved nicely with nice mosaics.
Back on the bus we were headed back to Strumica to explore the city. We were given leisure time. Some of us ate, shopped, wandered around the streets, or went to a café. Then after about two hours we hopped back on the bus and were headed to Veles. In Veles we walked to the house of a famous Macedonian poet who was shot “by accident” while walking down the street. We took more photos, and then slowly started wandering the little village-like roads to find a café. Unfortunately, we were out of luck. We casually made our way back to the bus. Next stop: Nova.
All in all I think that the excursion was a wonderful trip, especially to me as a foreigner. I got a chance to see different cities in Macedonia in a more natural, and less touristy, way.
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