Eid Bajram

Bayram/bajram is a lot like Christmas. I went grocery shopping yesterday and the market was C-R-O-W-D-E-D. Shopping carts were full; little old men and women were charging through the aisles like they owned the place; lines were long; and the shelves were disheveled. Today, Prizren was like a ghost town. When I ran this morning, I didn't see a soul on the walking path, which is really unusual. When I went out a bit later in the afternoon, there were a few folk milling around, but all the stores and cafes were locked up.


Just because the power was out from 10pm last night until noon today; from 1pm until after 3pm; and from 5pm until 9pm, that doesn't mean I wasn't able to accomplish stuff. For example, I learned that today is "small bayram" as opposed to the bayram that is celebrated after Ramadan and is known as "big bayram." (Although in Pakistan, today is "big bayram" and the bayram after Ramadan is "small bayram").
I learned that the mural along the river was painted by Zake Prelvukaj. Every time I take photos of the mural there's more graffiti. I'm of mixed views: On the one hand it's nice to see an interactivity to her artwork. On the other, it's a shame to see her work spoilt by someone who feels that their name is more important than someone's art.

I must admit, though, I am drawn to the ever-changing nature of the mural. I imagine in five years it'll be completely covered up by spray paint and sharpies.


As I was walking along the river, I couldn't resist taking a photo of this loaf of bread as it floated by. Luckily, I had just finished the above pics of the mural and hadn't put my camera away.
Walking around town, I took a few more random shots: This one I snapped not because of the cute puppet monkey, but because a student tried to argue with me that Christmas is Monday. Now I understand more why she felt compelled to make that argument. Christmas Eve is more commonly known here as Christmas Night. Christmas Day is just another day, albeit a holiday.







They say that if you drink from this fountain, which stands in the central Shadervan square, you'll never leave Prizren. I was told this on arrival, and I have yet to drink from it. As I'm not planning on remaining in Kosovo forever, I have yet to sip these fine waters.


This is a typical street shot. Many of the side streets in Kosov are narrow, windy, and cobblestoned (there are a fair number of asphalted streets as well).





Red Bull has inarguably entered the Kosovo market. Empty cans get tossed along the sidewalks and into the river like so much other trash (and bread: see above photo).
This caught my eye because Bud isn't available in Kosovo.

As far as I can tell, this is the only casino in town. I haven't been inside, but if I ever have a yearning for the neon lights of Vegas, I can stand and gaze at this pseudo vista.
This building used to be Prizren's Turkish baths (or hammam). Unfortunately, the baths are non-functional. (Again, I miss Japan...sigh...onsen.)

This little octagon is a barber shop. I don't know how I'd feel getting my hair cut in such a visible place (it's alongside a busy street), but I do like to look inside as I walk by to see what's going on (today, because of bayram, everything was closed).