Snow . . . in June?

It is simply an amazing sight . . . and the little photo just does not do it justice. I reckon those of you living in Colorado find it ho-hum, but for those of us who grew up in less majestic climates, seeing snow on the mountain tops in June just does something to you. I guess it is all about contrasts. It's burning up here in the city, summer like weather already forcing us to close the doors and try to keep in the cool air, but then the peaks are all shining white with snow. When the air is clear, a good air day, I live in a really beautiful spot in the world.


The former Yugoslavia is in every other way though, a hairy-armpit. The contrasts of everyday life are not nearly as pretty as the snow-covered peaks in Tetevo. The contrasts that aren't so good are the used syringes and used condoms that litter the ground on Mt. Vodno - the drug trade and sex trade are in high gear here. The contrasts of BMW's and people lifting food out of the garbage bins - the poor just keep getting poorer. The contrasts of beliefs; the handful of Evangelical Christians versus the masses who are ethnically christian or muslim, but in everyday practice pursue black magic, and are often demon possessed (see previous post). The contrasts of possibilities, those from the West/EU can go anywhere and do anything - Macedonians can't get out of their own country. The contrast of hope, people outside of the former Yugoslavia can have hope in a better tomorrow - here, people's lives just get more and more difficult. There are probably a hundred more contrast, but since I am one of the rare people here who has a job, I gotta get to work, but the snow is still beautiful.