I wanted to send a postcard back home.
On our way BACK to the city center, we ran into our Irish friend.
She had just been to the the real post office. After sharing our frustration and taking a picture together, we said goodbye, and Rob and I FINALLY located the active post office.
Rob has had a terrible cough, chest congestion, and a head cold for a couple of weeks that is causing him a lot of lost sleep. Since we have international health insurance to cover this trip, we decided that we would try it out.
After some online messages and phone calls, our insurance company, GeoBlue, sent us a Direct Pay authorization. It looked like Rob had an appointment, but he really didn’t – just a confirmation for that day. Since the doctor listed on the confirmation didn’t come in until 8:00pm, we just went to the hospital emergency room and paid out of pocket. Our insurance will reimburse us.
Always ask a local person or hotel receptionist how much a taxi should cost. We needed to take a taxi to the hospital. She said that it should cost around 350 Macedonian denars. (There are no Ubers here.)
Taxis are fun since one gets to talk to real people. Our last driver said that he could tell that we were Americans by our tall stature and our smell?? He was a snow skier and said that one needs to bring along an avalanche bag. He had a friend who died in an avalanche while skiing. I think that it is a lot like an air bag in a car. The avalanche bag inflates and helps you stay on top of the snow.
Today the first taxi driver said 500 denars. He muttered about traffic and other reasons for the high price. We said “too much” and moved on to the next taxi in line. No one was in the drivers’ seat. The tenth taxi was occupied by a woman. She said 300. We had a winner … and she got a tip.
We sat for a short time in the waiting area. Everyone was dressed in white. Then a door opened up in front of us.
Then came a lung function test where you blow into a tube. They asked if he smoked. No is the answer. Have you ever smoked? No. “Bravo” was their response. Forty percent of the people here smoke.
Dr. Arban asked Rob if he had a nebulizer and was surprised that he had never used one. I guess in a country of smokers, a nebulizer is quite common.
Rob and I were very impressed with the comprehensive care that he received at the Hospital Acibadem Sistina in Skopje. And the cost was about $250 for the visit and $90 for the nebulizer and medication.
(Rob’s comment a few days after the hospital visit. “The nebulizer and an antibiotic are working well. I feel much better.”)
It all started with a simple idea: to give young people a space to express themselves and connect through the Tango.
Tango Unity harnesses the power of the Argentine tango to build international cooperation while creating space for youth – especially young women to explore their creativity, build self-confidence, and feel a true sense of belonging. The project actively includes youth from marginalized communities, making tango a tool for both empowerment and inclusion.
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