I just completed my first couple weeks in Resen. Nothing too exciting. Work has been a little slow as the Opstina looks to find a role for me. I recently took a couple pictures:
For the next couple years, this apartment building will serve as Marlin Headquarters. My apartment is on the second floor, directly above the red Yugo. (Yep, that's a Yugo).
This is the Apple Statue in the town center. Resen's main industry is the exportation of apples. Resen's economy depends on them.
Another pic of the town center.
This is the House of Culture. It is a mansion built in the early 20th century, when the land was ruled by the Ottoman Turks. Legend has there were two rich, young Turkish men who lived in Resen. (I forget if they were brothers or best friends). Anyway, one of them left to live in Paris and the other stayed in Resen. The one in Paris had a picture made of some fancy Parisian mansion and sent it to the one who lived in Resen. Almost to spite him, the Resen guy replied back "Big deal, there is a building like that in Resen" and he built a similar building to live in! The town is literally built on spite. I found my home!
Picture of a pedestrian-only alley way near the city center.
I went and visited my neighbors for the first time this past Wednesday. In Macedonia, visiting neighbors is a big thing. People in Macedonia generally don't have a whole lot of money, so rather than go out, people often host each other. My neighbors are pretty chill. They are in their 60's and have adult kids who moved away. Visiting neighbors here is different than in America. In America, hosts generally offer food or drink, but it's generally like a non-offer. Nobody is really expected to accept. However, here, if you walk into somebody's home, they get out the coffee and juice and cookies and if you don't accept, it's like offensive. Different in that regard.
PS: I have a new address: Please send all correspondences here:
Dan Polykov
Naum Veslievski br 46
stan 8
Resen, Macedonia 7310
