Southeastern Europe Travel Diary Part Seven

26.11. 21:26
Today was very adventurous. Last night, I was informed that my Airbnb in Kosovo for today got cancelled, so I had to adjust my plans. I found a different accommodation in Serbia, close to the border, and decided to only visit Kosovo for a day trip. My internet plan does not include Macedonia or Kosovo, so I planned the route on Google Maps back at my accommodation in Skopje, where I still had WiFi.

I had to be very careful because if I would drive wrong, Google Maps couldn’t reroute me offline. The first exit I missed was still in Skopje, but I was able to turn fairly quickly and get back on track. The next problem was at the border to Kosovo, where they told me I needed to buy local car insurance because they didn’t accept anything else, not even the international one. After that, I was free to enter. It was a lot of snow, and although the streets were pretty much cleared, it was more challenging to drive than previously. There were many nice views, the terrain was pretty much flat with lots of hills.

I noticed that many child and teenage boys were busy clearing snow off the driveways. The children in general looked happy, I saw many snowball fights and bobsliding. There wasn’t too much to see in Kosovo, I reckon it might be better to visit in summer. Soon enough, I was already back in Macedonia. Google Maps led me through very small villages, and as I feared, told me to turn where it wasn’t possible twice. So I had to find other ways and still get back en route to get to my destination. Finally, I made it to the freeway, although I took the wrong ramp, so I drove into the opposite direction for a bit. But at least I was back at busy streets.
As I crossed the border to Serbia the internet came back on and I was informed that there was a storm at my apartment for the following days and the accommodation I booked had no electricity, heating or even water, so they asked me to cancel. I’m very grateful, they informed me and again I had to adjust my travel plans. I decided to do a day trip to Nis (Serbia) instead of spending a night there and booked an accommodation in Romania, close to the border. I chose that place as I researched a Red Cross facility there, and I’m hoping that they will accept all the stuff I brought with me to donate.
Finally, I reached my accommodation and couldn’t believe that I had a huge apartment with two bedrooms all to myself for just 11 Euros per night.

27.11. 20:40
Do I have to worry that I can hardly remember how my day started? I really have to think while I’m writing these lines. Maybe it’s because of all those recent changes with my travel itinerary, and so I kinda lost track of everything. Now I remember. I spent the night at this huge apartment in Serbia, and after having breakfast, I drove about an hour to Nis, a city closer to the Romanian border. I walked around the centre and stumbled across a beautiful huge park that displayed a few historical parts.

Before I continued my trip, I went to buy a snack because I was already hungry and still had a four-hour drive ahead of me. That was the best idea ever, because although I didn’t know when I made this decision, the drive would even be longer. As ususal, I followed the route on Google Maps and had no idea it would lead me through the Bulgarian border as well (that shows how I blindly trust Maps and don’t even look twice where it would take me). Once more, it was a very lonely border crossing off the beaten tracks. In fact, the lonliest I’ve been so far. It was so deserted that even the officers didn’t expect anyone to come. They were very surprised to see me. It looked like hardly 10 cars would pass in one day. They weren’t even at the checkpoint, but in a bigger house behind, so I had to wait a little bit for them to come out. This was the first time they wanted to look into my car. I had to open all the doors and the trunk, and they checked a few things, but obviously, everything was in order. They asked me where I was headed to, and as I mentioned before, I completely lost track of everything and answered ‘Ukraine’, when in fact I meant Romania. It didn’t matter for I would visit Ukraine as well, and they didn’t seem to care either way. So, I continued a few kilometres to the Romanian border. This one was a lot busier and they also checked my car. I was lucky to be on the side I have been because on the other side, there were hundreds of trucks waiting to cross, and therefore, the road was completely blocked. Our side drove so far right that the cars from the other side were able to pass the trucks on our lane. It was at least 20 kilometres, but I guess it was even longer. It looked as if they’d be spending days there.

After a while, I approached my first stop in Craiova, where I’m hoping to be able to donate my stuff tomorrow. Craiova is far bigger than I imagined, and the traffic was so heavy that it took me 25 minutes to drive 7 kilometres. Finally, I made it to the accommodation and was super lucky to get the last free parking spot as it was a residential area there. The checkin was a little tricky because the host didn’t leave any instructions. Lucky for me, Romania is in the European Union, so a call isn’t too expensive. The accommodation is pretty nice but unfortunately the stove didn’t work and I was already starving. Lucky again, there was a big supermarket just around the corner. I used the opportunity to top up my grocery storage and spent 15 Euros for groceries that will feed me for at least a week. The gas here is more expensive than in Macedonia but cheaper than in Greece or Serbia, so I’ll definitely fuel up here. Tomorrow I’ll hit the road agin to Bucharest. I feel a little exhausted today, I noticed that driving two days in a row is demanding, and tomorrow, I’ll drive again. This is all due to the cancellations of accomodations, but I had to adjust, and I’m actually looking forward to spending three whole days in Bucharest and won’t have to drive till Friday. I’m also happy my accommodation in Bucharest is a little outside the city centre, so hopefully I won’t have to go through city traffic and according to the online reviews, the metro stop is super close by. I’ll see how it goes, but one thing is certain: I’m glad I saved all my vacation days and am able to use them now.

28.11. 22:49
My hope from yesterday did not come true. But first things first: After a very slow morning, I started walking around the centre of Craiova and was pretty impressed. There were so many Christmas decorations, it was all very tidy and welcoming.

It’s definitely a bigger city than I thought it would be. For the first time in my life, I also saw an “unnatural” ice skating place where you skate in circles. Unfortunately, the rain was becoming heavier, and although I don’t mind it much, I wasn’t up for another soaking wet day and made my way back to my car. Then, I drove to the Red Cross branch for my donations. Unfortunately I couldn’t find it at the place it was supposed to be but when I read the reviews on Google Maps, someone mentioned a new adress, so I drove there (again through all the city traffic). Although hardly noticeable, I found it and went in. It was very small and the lady couldn’t speak English so she got her colleague. They told me that they couldn’t take donations because they didn’t have the space for it, but I could go to the church and donate it there. I honestly wasn’t up for another drive through the city centre, so I decided to keep my stuff and try in another city. I went back to my car and looked up another Red Cross branch and church that would be closer to the Moldovan border. Judging from the cars and houses, people here didn’t look poor at all, so I’ll see what I’ll find the further East I’ll go. Obviously, it could also just be prejudice or thoughts implemented by what the media at home is showing and telling us. Anyway, I still have plenty of stops ahead of me and am confident to be able to make my donations.
So I started heading towards Bucharest, and the traffic was an absolute nightmare. It took me one whole hour for the last 30 kilometres!!! Finally, I made it to my accommodation. It’s the first one that’s a hostel, but I booked a room to myself. I’m very grateful I did, because the hostel is full of old men, which isn’t really welcoming to a solo female traveller. But the owner and his employee are both super nice and very caring. They definitely make me feel safer, especially as the employee is also sleeping here. The only thing I don’t like is the kitchen. It’s very small and the stove is outside. But as long as I have my own room, I can handle it. The metro station is really close, so tomorrow I’ll discover Bucharest by public transport.