Macedonian home remedies for a cold & sore throat

Cold and flu season has arrived, and I've picked up a terrible cold & sore throat.  However, my wonderful Macedonian parents have instructed me on some interesting home remedies they use and I thought it would be interesting to share them.

MK Remedy #1.  Tea with honey and freshly squeezed lemon. 

Not sure why, but my mother-in-law always tells me to wait until the tea has cooled before adding the lemon and honey. 

MK Remedy #2.  Sliced lemons covered with sugar. 

"Lemon drop" minus the vodka. :)

MK Remedy #3.  1 tsp. of sugar mixed with equal parts of honey and brandy (aka Rakija)

This is supposed to be really good for coughing & sore throat.

MK Remedy #4.  Hot Brandy (Rakija) & Black Pepper
          Another great remedy for sore throat, and usually done right before bed.You will need:

• 2 cotton bandanna's or hand towels roughly the same size (long enough to wrap around neck)
• Home brandy (warmed)
• Black pepper

In the center of the towel add ground black pepper. Then roll the towel so that it may be wrapped around the neck & throat comfortably, pour hot brandy on the towel (be careful that it is not too hot); wrap the towel around the neck and throat.  Add an additional towel too keep the heat in, and go to sleep. 

MK Remedy #5.  Hot water & Salt 

Soak feet in hot water mixed with a few teaspoons of salt, when the water cools down, add more hot water.  Keep doing this until the heat reaches your head and your done.  (I'm a little skeptical about this one, but it's supposed to help with a cold.)

Fun Facts:
I was told at the Church of Saint George Monastery that, historically, people would scrap the eye's from the icons and use it to make potions.  They believed that the powder from the eyes of the frescoes was healing. 

The Slavic Smile

This was pretty funny and also a little sad.  I recently got married in the Republic of Macedonia and at my civil ceremony, my sister ended up taking a lot of the pictures.  A little background:  She and I are both American and my husband and his family are Macedonians. But my sister and I are a little different than my fellow slavic family members; we smile when we take pictures.  I'm already familiar with the mug shot look, given when I pull out the camera; and have become quite accustomed to it.  However, my sister didn't realize what was going on.  She was snapping away, and couldn't get a picture with everyone smiling.  After a few pictures, she decided she would take action.  She starts telling my mother-in-law, who doesn't speak English, to smile over and over.  I didn't notice she was doing this, or I probably would have burst out laughing.  Then when that failed, she started telling my father-in-law to smile.  But picture after picture, no one smiled, except for me.  After a few more attempts and motioning with her hands, she gave up and let it go.  Later when we got home she said to me, "Man I couldn't get Matza or Zike to smile in one picture. I even tried to show them how to smile."  I burst out laughing and said, "They were smiling." Btw, my sister's awesome  Canon camera took this picture. 

My Macedonian Wedding

If someone would have told me three years ago, that one day I would work in Afghanistan, meet my future husband, quit my job and move to the Republic of Macedonia and be married in a Christian Orthodox Church, I probably would have punched them in the face and told them they needed medication.  But, I would be wrong, because all of those things happened.

It's been forever since my last post, but between the wedding planning and paperwork for citizenship, it was too overwhelming to post anything.  But now that things have settled, I can finally digest what I went through.  I will start with the Church ceremony.


The ceremony was held at Saint Nikola Church in Kumanovo, Macedonia, on September 30th, 2011.

Worldwide travel Alert from Department of State

Worldwide Travel Alert

As we mark the 10^th Anniversary of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, the Department of State informs U.S. citizens traveling and residing abroad of the continued threat posed by al-Qa’ida and its affiliates. While we have not identified any specific threats from al-Qa’ida affiliates and allies to attack the United States or our interests on the 9/11 anniversary, U.S. citizens should be aware that al-Qa’ida affiliates and allies have demonstrated the intent and capability to carry out attacks against the United States and our interests around the world. In the past, terrorist organizations have on occasion planned their attacks to coincide with significant dates on the calendar. 

This Worldwide Travel Alert supplements the July 26, 2011, Worldwide Caution, and expires on January 2, 2012.

U.S. citizens traveling and residing abroad should enroll in the Smart Travelers Enrollment Program (STEP) at the following website: https://travelregistration.state.gov. U.S. citizens without internet access may enroll directly at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate at their destination. By enrolling, U.S. citizens make it easier for the Embassy to contact them in case of emergency.

Updated information on travel and security may be obtained from the Department of State by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the United States and Canada or, for callers outside the United States and Canada, a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444. For further information, please consult the Worldwide Caution and other consular information, including Country Specific Information, for specific countries. These products and the latest international travel information for U.S. citizens are available on the Bureau of Consular Affairs Internet website at http://travel.state.gov.

U.S. citizens living or traveling abroad are encouraged to register with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate through the State Department’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program. The U.S. Embassy is located at ul. Samoilova 21, 1000 Skopje. The telephone number is (389) 2-310-2000, e-mail.

Happy Independence Day Macedonia!!!

I'm so loving this song right now!! 

I have two reasons to celebrate today.
1.  Today is Macedonia's Independence Day, and
2.  My sister is coming to visit me!!! 

Two more days until my other sister returns, then there will be three Bergey's in Macedonia!!! Yay!!!

Dailing International Land lines or Mobile Phones in Macedonia

The procedures for calling from inside and outside the country of Macedonia can be rather confusing.  After having issues trying to contact the US Embassy today, I asked my husband to explain this topic in detail.
 
If you wish to call a number within Macedonia from outside of Macedonia: 
For an example, we will use the US Embassy's phone number.
+389 2 310-2000
 Dial: (00 389 2 310-2000)  

+ = Equivalent to dialing 00
389 = Country code for Macedonia


If you wish to call a number in Macedonia from within Macedonia:
Delete 00389 or +389 and add a "0" before the number you wish to dial.
00-389- (0) 2-310-2000
Dial: 02-310-2000


For Land Lines Dial:
02- Land lines in Skopje
031- Land line in Kumanovo

For Mobile Numbers:
071, 071, 072 - T-Mobile cell numbers
075, 076 - One Operator Mobile numbers
077,078 - VIP Mobile Operator

Calling Cards:
OneSimCard International SIM Card for 200 Countries with $10 Credit 
National Geographic Talk Abroad SIM,1070 International SIM Card
LG KP500 Cookie Unlocked Phone with 3.2 MP Camera and Digital Media Player--International 

International Phone & SIM Cards:
T-Mobile USA (Tmobile T Mobile) SIM Card and Prepaid Activation Kit
Nokia X2 Prepaid Phone (T-Mobile)

OneSimCard International SIM Card for 200 Countries with $10 Credit

Wedding Veil purchased from "Silver"

I finally purchased my veil.  I've had my gown for over a year, but I waited or procrastinated to purchase this.  Good thing I did, the veils are super inexpensive in Macedonia.  I wish I could say the same for wedding gowns, but they are about the same as the States.  I purchased a hand made two tier veil, finger length, for only $12.  It looks very similar to the picture.

However, this veil retails at David's Bridal for $189.  Some things are so inexpensive here!!!  I don't normally shout out customer service from stores in the Bulkan's, but this place was very special.  The Bridal store is named "Silver", and it is located in Kumanovo across from Rafael's Bakery.  The woman that made my veil was so sweet and helpful.  She made my veil in less than a couple hours.

I had visited two other Bridal stores and was very dissatisfied with the service & cleanliness of the floor.  The first location had very dirty floors covered with dust and dirt.  And the second location refused to make a veil for me if I didn't purchase my wedding gown from the same location.  In addition, the workers in the second location were so rude, they didn't even speak to me for the first five minutes upon my entering the store, and refused to turn to face me when they did decide to speak.  Both of these two stores were located across from My Market on Boulevard, in Kumanovo.  A word of advice, do NOT go to these locations.

I would recommend to anyone that is interested in purchasing Bridal gowns or accessories to head to Silver for exceptional service and quality.

 

Located on Mosha Pijade Street.  

Links to Veils online:
Simple Elegance Cut Edge White Wedding Veil with Comb 
Double Layer Curly Edge White Wedding Veil with Hair Comb 
Ivory Bridal Veil with Satin Edge Pearls and Rhinestone Accents 

I went with "ski"

After much thought, I decided that my last name would end in "ski" rather than "ska".  Yeah, I know the consequences of Macedonians thinking I am a man.  But I've been American for 29 years, I don't want to change my tradition of taking my husbands last name.  It's what I've always wanted.  It was kind of funny that during the civil ceremony when the officiant asked me what I wanted my married name to be, my father-in-law started to say.."ska", but my husband promptly interrupted with Karastojanovski.  And so it is, Jennifer Lynn Karastojanovki...

Just Married!!!

Just Married

Yesterday was the civil ceremony and it went very well.  From left to right, the mother of the Godfather, the father of the groom, the Godfather, or in this case, the godmother, me, the bride, the groom, and mother of the groom.  After waiting almost two years, we finally got married.  This process is only the first step.  We decided to have the civil ceremony, before the church ceremony, rather than on the same day, due to me being a foreign citizen and the many challenges I've faced trying to get married in Macedonia.  The ceremony began with reviewing my rights in a marriage to a Macedonian, all translated into English by a translator.  Then we discussed legal matters that would prevent us from being able to get married, such as blood relations, withholding health information, etc., and moved on to signing the book. 

It was very poetic and I almost cried several times throughout the process.  Some of the words did not translate exactly, but it was a very beautiful ceremony.  Afterwards, gave kisses to the wedding party, and toasted with champagne.  Then upon exiting the building, the godfather threw candies, rice, and coins on us for good luck. 

Summary about Vendi

My real name is Jennifer, but everyone calls me Jenny in Macedonia. I currently live in the Republic of Macedonia, with my husband.  I studied to be an Accountant and half-way through the Associates Program, I changed my mind, and decided I wanted to be a hair stylist.  I then began an 11 month program to become a hairstylist.  I felt bad leaving behind unfinished business with my Accounting degree, so I finished up the classes and got my Associates Degree in Accounting.  After that, I decided to get my Bachelor's Degree, while I was on the school kick, and graduated from the University at Buffalo.  In my senior semester, I accepted a position to work for the Department of Defense, Inspector General, in Cleveland, OH.  In May 2009, I took a temporary assignment in Afghanistan and while I was there, I met my future husband and June 2010, I quit my job and moved to the Republic of Macedonia to live permanently.