Tribune Excerpts
The following article appeared in the December 2004 Edition of the Macedonian Tribune. The author, Jaime Galgoczy participated in the MPO Tour of Macedonia in the summer of 2004.
To Visit the Place of my Roots was Awesome
By Jaime Galgoczy
The trip to Macedonia was wonderful. It is a beautiful country with warm people, delicious food and excellent wine!!
It was a whirlwind two weeks of monasteries, ancient ruins, quaint towns, fantastic scenery and some emotional moments. Our first monastery, St. Jovan Bigorski, was my favorite. After a very filling lunch, we walked about a mile uphill in a rainy downpour. It was worth the walk. The monastery was beautiful and the hand-carved wooden iconostasis was absolutely breathtaking.
In Ohrid, we danced oros in the dining room and watched the sunset over the lake from the balcony of our hotel.
I also was introduced to the music of the Macedonian pop star, Toshe. He was the Macedonian representative in the European version of American Idol. (Actually, all the musical artists are stars; to win this competition would elevate them to world status.) Our bus driver, Iffko, played a few of his songs and most of the people watched the competition throughout the trip. During our dinner with Ambassador Butler, a television was set up outside and the staff watched the finals. Needless to say some of us bought a few of his CD's.
The trip into Lerin, Aegean Macedonia, was very moving for me because my Staro Dedo Tasho Alusheff (great-grandfather) emigrated from the village of Ekshisou, in 1912. It is also home of my uncle Lou Lambo, who came to America when he was seven. We also met a man whose mother came from Vishani, where my Dedo Argire Valcanoff came from. I am grateful they immigrated to America and passed down our Macedonian heritage.
The Greeks proved how ridiculous they are when they made Rosalie Calkins of Ft. Wayne and her 92-year-old aunt Dorothy Kellermeyer of Ft. Lauderdale walk from the Greek border to the Macedonian border.
Krushevo, the site of a huge battle during the Ilinden Uprising was a very sobering sight. The memorials and monuments of the freedom fighters brought the reality and pain of Illinden to life. It gave me a connection to a place and time that I could not really relate or understand. It proved how much our people wanted freedom.
Our luncheon and wine tasting in Negotino at Bovin Winery was delightful. We sampled 14 different wines and were able to purchase a few bottles for home.
Skopje is filled with sights and shops of the old and new towns. I purchased candles for my wedding so that I would have something authentic from Macedonia. Our tour guide Arsen, was so knowledgeable, extremely accommodating and very funny.
I have always been a proud Macedonian and to visit the place of my roots was awesome. The best part was I did not have conversations about whether I am Bulgarian, Greek or Serbian. I am MACEDONIAN, end of story! !
