Post Wedding Adventures

Unlike most couples, Pranvera and I decided to stick around town for a bit before eventually taking our honeymoon in Thailand (30 days and counting). Not only did we have out of town guests to show around Kosovo but I complete my assignment mid-June and can't afford to take much time off before then to really enjoy ourselves. Although as we have returned to our newly married 'routine' since then, we have come to a more complete understanding as to why people actually do honeymoons after the wedding. Because you really need to take a break, get away with your new partner and appreciate the heck out of this new life-long commitment that we both made.

But until then, we began our first day as a married couple by sleeping in till 9:30 (which is a record for Pranvera) and we packed up our stuff from the hotel and grabbed a famous Kosovo Machiatto across the street from the hotel. They we waltzed our way down the relatively empty street of Payton place (normally packed with cafe goers) and arrived at the newest culinary enterprise in Pristina, an Israeli owned Bistro, that apparently has a wonderful brunch (just not on the day we went). None the less they have fantastic coffee drinks and a nice breakfast menu for my sister Stacey, and our guests from London, John and Tanja who were with us for the weekend.

And then we were off in a project vehicle to drive the log, scenic route from Brezervice all the way to Prizren. We all the flowers blooming and the mountainsides rich with green, it was perfect day to show the best of Kosovo. Although the sun was out it was still a bit chilly over the mountain pass but the fresh air did us all some good as we got out and about. We had the perfect relaxing lunch on the side of a river to enjoy their river trout with some local cheese and pepper dishes. A nice authentic introduction to Kosovo.

After a long winding drive we eventually arrived in the old Turkish town of Prizren to enjoy a museum, the winding river and the old castle atop the town affording fantastic sun-setting views. It was apparently prom weekend so it was just packed with kids of all shapes and sizes roaming about. After the mandatory Machiatto stop we packed up the car to head back to Pristina before it got too late. But just early enough to get some light snacks at my apartment for us to all sit around drinking wine and having a slumber party of all 5 in my apartment. What fun!!!

The next day was rainy so we moved slowly around the city affording my guest a kick-glimpse of the city before we spent several hours at Pranvera's house being entertained by her family for a traditional full-sized afternoon meal lasting several hours with great talks, laughs and me enjoying bringing my words together. After John and Tanja headed to the airport we enjoyed opening our wedding gifts with my sister and heading back to the apartment to review all the photos and just catch-up.

For the next two days my sister and I had quality family time as Pranvera returned to work. We spent a day out in the Ragova gorge showing her some of Kosovo's raw beauty and enjoying the countryside landscape as well. The weather fortunately held and I think she had a good sample of Kosovo light. The wedding was certainly a highlight according to her but now she can relate to the other half of our new family and had a chance to meet everyone. It is so great that I can actually use their names and she will know the faces. In time, I hope other family members to meet as transatlantic trips will bring our families closer together, one day.