If Aristotle were there, he’d declare John the Theologian the perfect spot for contemplative walks by the lake. Clearly, y'all (here's the Texan in me) have officially leveled up your pilgrimage game!
I’d also suggest embracing a bit of Marcus Aurelius style by pausing at sunrise on the water’s edge, reflecting on how even kings and philosophers found daily renewal in simple beauty. And for that Alexander the Great fix, take the boat across to Sveti Naum and imagine marching from Pella to conquer Asia… though with far better Wi‑Fi here!
But hey! You’re in my neck of the woods. I could jump in the car and meet you for a macchiato, or better yet, a plate of fresh grilled Ohrid trout and a chilled glass of Temjanika. It would be a stoic sacrifice, of course—but one I’m willing to make in the name of good company and good philosophy. If you are sticking around for a few days, do tell! I'm a few hours away.
Would love to catch up over a chilled glass, kind sir... alas, we must push on towards our next destination. What a treasure this little place is though. You've found yourself a spectacular part of the world. I highly doubt this will be our last time here. All the very best to you and yours. Cheers!
"In sound company," some good food, music and a beautiful view. If you need more than that, you are asking too much for an unfillable void. thanks Joel.
One wonders if the seeds of Alexander’s drinking might have germinated while eschewing the moral teachings of Aristotle. Perhaps Alexander had a smidgen of conscience? Thanks again Joel for more delightful and instructive writing.
Thank you, kind sir. These kinds of musings are not as “viral” or popular as the snarky, political stuff… but one hopes they are more valuable, at least to some. Cheers!
Joel if you haven’t yet been to The Monastery Saint Naum it is not far from Orhid on Lake Orhid and would have to be one of the most magical places I’ve ever been. You must take your wife and daughter there as there’s these amazing little robots that take you out on what they say is some of the most clearest water anywhere. The water comes through two mountains through the limestone before it makes its way into Lake Ord and it is absolutely incredible. The monastery itself in the surrounding area has a beautiful restaurants on the water and they will put your glass of your table into the lake that you dining on for you to drink. The water is that pure. Lots of shops around to enjoy so make the most of it. I was there this time last year.
Regrettably, so many locations like this wondrous place, that over less than 2500 years, experienced multiple invasions, change and agonies of control and transfiguration by conquest, with all the usual brutality, pain, bloodshed and enforced actions for people’s lives and sacrifices that went with each of them.
Just looking at the Roman carved stone auditorium alone, brings the reality of this nearly 2000 years ago construction into real and current view and then the today’s anguish of destruction happening by pursuit of conquest in Ukraine and Gaza. What will be constructed after this onslaught on territory and landscape?
Are we 21st century people on this planet, in locations all around the globe and with multiple leaders with ego, all that very different and more ‘civilised’ from past conquerers, their enslaved minions and actions of yesteryear?
Living well for many, regrettably in so many places like this wondrous place, that over less than 2500 years experienced multiple change and agonies of control and transfiguration by conquest and all the brutality, pain, bloodshed and enforced changes to people’s lives that went with it.
Just looking at the Roman carved auditorium alone, brings the reality of this nearly 2000 years ago construction into real and current view and then the today’s anguish of destruction happening by pursuit of conquest in Ukraine and Gaza. What will be constructed after this onslaught on territory and landscape?
Are we 21st century people on this planet, in locations all around the globe and with multiple leaders with ego, all that very different and more ‘civilised’ from past conquerers, their enslaved minions and actions of yesteryear?
If Aristotle were there, he’d declare John the Theologian the perfect spot for contemplative walks by the lake. Clearly, y'all (here's the Texan in me) have officially leveled up your pilgrimage game!
I’d also suggest embracing a bit of Marcus Aurelius style by pausing at sunrise on the water’s edge, reflecting on how even kings and philosophers found daily renewal in simple beauty. And for that Alexander the Great fix, take the boat across to Sveti Naum and imagine marching from Pella to conquer Asia… though with far better Wi‑Fi here!
But hey! You’re in my neck of the woods. I could jump in the car and meet you for a macchiato, or better yet, a plate of fresh grilled Ohrid trout and a chilled glass of Temjanika. It would be a stoic sacrifice, of course—but one I’m willing to make in the name of good company and good philosophy. If you are sticking around for a few days, do tell! I'm a few hours away.
Would love to catch up over a chilled glass, kind sir... alas, we must push on towards our next destination. What a treasure this little place is though. You've found yourself a spectacular part of the world. I highly doubt this will be our last time here. All the very best to you and yours. Cheers!
Love your Dad's quote! So true!
A wise fellow indeed!
"In sound company," some good food, music and a beautiful view. If you need more than that, you are asking too much for an unfillable void. thanks Joel.
One wonders if the seeds of Alexander’s drinking might have germinated while eschewing the moral teachings of Aristotle. Perhaps Alexander had a smidgen of conscience? Thanks again Joel for more delightful and instructive writing.
Thank you, kind sir. These kinds of musings are not as “viral” or popular as the snarky, political stuff… but one hopes they are more valuable, at least to some. Cheers!
Well, all due respect to Aristotle, the doctrine of the Pareto tells true that there’s means & then there’s means & then there’s the Means siblings.
There’s a lot of ruin in a nation, there’s a lot of arrhythmia in arithmetic, & the average avenger compensate-protests too rhetorical much:
“Is the Universe Marvelous Comical friendly & does she look like Diana Rigg?”
Joel if you haven’t yet been to The Monastery Saint Naum it is not far from Orhid on Lake Orhid and would have to be one of the most magical places I’ve ever been. You must take your wife and daughter there as there’s these amazing little robots that take you out on what they say is some of the most clearest water anywhere. The water comes through two mountains through the limestone before it makes its way into Lake Ord and it is absolutely incredible. The monastery itself in the surrounding area has a beautiful restaurants on the water and they will put your glass of your table into the lake that you dining on for you to drink. The water is that pure. Lots of shops around to enjoy so make the most of it. I was there this time last year.
A Lush Antidote to the Firestorm.
“Timeless is what really matters”
Thanks
Living well for many?
Regrettably, so many locations like this wondrous place, that over less than 2500 years, experienced multiple invasions, change and agonies of control and transfiguration by conquest, with all the usual brutality, pain, bloodshed and enforced actions for people’s lives and sacrifices that went with each of them.
Just looking at the Roman carved stone auditorium alone, brings the reality of this nearly 2000 years ago construction into real and current view and then the today’s anguish of destruction happening by pursuit of conquest in Ukraine and Gaza. What will be constructed after this onslaught on territory and landscape?
Are we 21st century people on this planet, in locations all around the globe and with multiple leaders with ego, all that very different and more ‘civilised’ from past conquerers, their enslaved minions and actions of yesteryear?
Living well for many, regrettably in so many places like this wondrous place, that over less than 2500 years experienced multiple change and agonies of control and transfiguration by conquest and all the brutality, pain, bloodshed and enforced changes to people’s lives that went with it.
Just looking at the Roman carved auditorium alone, brings the reality of this nearly 2000 years ago construction into real and current view and then the today’s anguish of destruction happening by pursuit of conquest in Ukraine and Gaza. What will be constructed after this onslaught on territory and landscape?
Are we 21st century people on this planet, in locations all around the globe and with multiple leaders with ego, all that very different and more ‘civilised’ from past conquerers, their enslaved minions and actions of yesteryear?