The Crush and the Cross

Last week we decided to finally go to see the Millennium Cross that sits on the top of Vodno Mountain in Skopje, Macedonia.  It is 217 ft. tall, and at night when it lights up you can see it from almost any spot in the city.  We heard that there was a city bus that would take you half way up the mountain.  From there, you have the choice of riding a cable car to the top...or...climbing up the rest of the way.  We decided to climb.  

On Friday, we set out for the first bus of the day in hopes of doing the climb before it got too hot.  When we arrived at the bus station we saw a small crowd of seniors were gathering at the bus...waiting to get on.  As the crowd grew, Lance and I staked out a spot in hopes of getting a seat.  When the driver arrived the crowd surged forward and literally fought to get on the bus.  We've never seen anything like it.  People pushed and elbowed their way to the front with no regards to who was in front of them.  It was unbelievable.  We were being crushed in the crowd...and no one seemed to care...except us.  Apparently, this is not unusual here.  To make matters worse...there was no limit on how many people could get on the bus.  If you were able to squeeze in...you were good to go.  As we drove through the city the bus made several stops...and again, people would push their way onto the bus.  I guess the term safety first holds no weight here.  

When we arrived at our stop, Lance and I hopped off and started to look for the trail that would take us to the top of the mountain.  A woman noticed us checking the map in the parking lot and she approached us with a big smile and told us to come with her.  We followed and were surprised to see that she was taking us to a church.  Later we learned that this particular day was a holiday for the church.  People were coming for a religious celebration (which explained the big crowds on the bus,) and she wanted to show us what was taking place.  

Truthfully, she couldn't have been more friendly.  She took us into church...bought a candle for us to light...and took our picture.  Even though neither of us could communicate with the other, she seemed excited to spend time with two Americans.     

Eventually, we parted ways.  She took the cable car to the top of the mountain where the cross is located...and we started our hike.  

When we arrived at the top about an hour and a half later...there she was.  We greeted each other again...and attempted some limited conversation.  Below is the view of Skopje from the top of the mountain.  

After a cold drink and a rest, we took the cable car back down to the bottom.  When we got off the cable car we could hear the church celebration still taking place.  Lance and I

wandered over to listen to the music and watch the dancing.

We had a good time and enjoyed our visit to Vodno Mountain.  

(Grrrr....who knows how to delete a video...try as I might, I can't get rid of it.)