A Day in Kosovo
Kosovo gained its independence from Serbia in 2008 and is recognized as a sovereign state by over 100 UN countries. It was interesting to see how this newly independent country operates. There is a lot to admire from this country and I look forward to seeing it blossom.
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Must Know Before You GoWhen to Visit:The best time to visit Kosovo is during the spring, May to June when the snow has melted and the country is not extremely hot. Visas: The United States and most Western countries do not need to apply for a visa; a valid passport with 90 days validity is required. Language:Albanian and Serbian. English is widely spoken in Kosovo, especially by the youth. Currency: Euro (EUR). Exchange Rate as of April 2024.
Credit Card vs. Cash: I had no problems using credit cards in Kosovo. Smaller vendors may only take cash though. Tipping: Tipping is not expected but it is appreciated. UNESCO World Heritage Site: Monastery Visoki Decani, Serbian Cathedral Mother of God of Ljeviš, Serbian Orthodox Monastery, Sopocani Monastery, Studenica Monastery, Patriakana e Pejës National Parks: Sharr Mountain National Park, Bjeshkët e Nemuna National Park, Šar Mountains |
March 17, 2024
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Destination:
1. Prizren
Prizren is such a wonderful place with great scenery and heritage. We visited the Sinan Pasha Mosque which is located in the historic centre. This mosque is massive but unfortunately, there has been some loss and damages in the interior due to holes in the roof. Visiting this mosque is free and only outside of prayer hours. We visited the Albanian League of Prizen Museum. The museum contains photographs and artifacts from the late 1870s to 1880. The museum is €1.50. There is minimal explanation in the museum that I am glad to have a tour guide. Due to the lack of explanation, the museum is a little underwhelming. In addition to the museum, we also wandered around the Emin Pasa Camii Mosque and the Arasta Mosque Minaret.
2. Pristina
Pristina is the capital city of Kosovo and is located about an hour north of Prizren. Pristina is home to many mosques, churches, and landmarks.
By the time we arrived in Pristina, the weather started to turn for the worst. We decided that it was best to spend our time indoors. We saw the Cathedral of Saint Mother Teresa which was created and dedicated to the Albanian-Indian nun, Mother Teresa. We also visited the Memorial Heroines which is dedicated to the 20,000 women who were raped during the Kosovo war. We also visited the Mother Teresa monument, Skanderbeg Square, Ibrahim Rugova Statue, and Jashar Pasha Mosque to name a few.
For all of my US Americans, there are a few familiar faces in Pristina. There are streets named after Bill Clinton and George W. Bush. In addition to having his own street name, Bill Clinton also has his own statue. Clinton persuaded NATO to bomb Serbia to stop Serbian forces. This led to the end of the Kosovo War. Later, George W. Bush supported Kosovo when it declared its independence from Serbia. These leaders became popular in Kosovo.
Where to Eat:
Lunch in Prizren: Restaurant Beska
→Sheshi Shadervanit nr.54, Prizren 20000
For lunch, we went to Restaurant Beska in Prizren. They serve inexpensive but delicious food. I ordered the chicken kabab (€3) and coca cola (€1,50). The chicken was juicy and tender. They even provide complimentary homemade bread.
