Istanbul to Rome: IMAGES OF MACEDONIA  ©David B. Fankhauser, Ph.D. Professor of Biology and Chemistry University of Cincinnati Clermont College, Batavia OH 45103
Hagia Sophia, Istanbul	This page has been accessed  times since 19 September 2005.  Created 19 September 2005	Piazza di Republica, Rome

These pictures were taken during a whirlwind ten days traversing through Macedonia from Istanbul to Durres Albania, then by ferry across to Bari Italy, and train to Roma.  The actual images are large, and are linked to separate index pages listed below.  We will have MUCH more to say about our experiences, but I must forst say that we continue to be impressed and gratified at the hostpitality and generosity of people we meet around the world.  Macedonians have a rich cultural history and have done well at preserving it. Click on the image to enlarge it. Click on the text to go to the page with picture indices.
 

	1) We flew to Istanbul and spent a day enjoying this fabulous city with its ancient churches/mosques.			8) Ohrid is a lovely gem of a town located near the border of Albania.  It hosts a famous music/arts festival in the summer.
	2) The bus station from Istanbul consistes of more than 200 different offices, each with its own little bus route or two...			9) Ohrid's pedistrian way ends at a beautiful waterfront.
	3) Northern Greece has been influenced over the millenia but a wide variety of occupiers, each leaving their own cultural traces.  Edessa, for instance shows Turkish influence in its archetecture.			10) Its possesses an ancient fortress and a Roman theater.
	4) One often sees herds of sheep and/or goats being shepherded alongside the roads.  The milk from these herds makes fabulous local cheeses!			11) Water from Spring-fed lake marking the junction of Macedonia, Greece and Albania flows out in Struga.
	5) Bitola, in southern Macedonia, is home to our wonderful cheese making frined Nicolce.  He gave us the grand tour which included Macedonian dancing with a live band, with some beautiful and talented young women from a local performance group.			12) Elbasan is a historic town in Albania, still possessing evidence of its ancient cultural heritage.
	6) These stoves for sale on the streets of Bitola are used to grill paprika peppers to prepare them for winter storage.			13) Durres is an active Albanian port from which we took to ferry to Bari, Italy
	7) Brajcino is a picturesque stone village where we were treated to a local "rustic" dinner typical of the region.			14) Roma...  What compliments can one offer that haven't been already lavished on this incredible city.