Pristina, Kosovo: Cold Coffee & Concrete Dreams

okay, so prístina. it’s…a lot. i landed with absolutely zero expectations, honestly. just needed a place to plug in my laptop and avoid eye contact for a week. the numbers 786714 and 1901760068 keep popping into my head, which is weird, but hey, travel does things to your brain, right?

let’s talk about the weather. i just looked and it’s…actively trying to be autumn, even though it’s technically still summer. a chilly 5.54 celsius, feels like 2.76. the air pressure is kinda oppressive, like the city itself is sighing. humidity’s at 65%, which means my hair is doing things i didn’t know it could do. honestly, it’s the kind of weather that demands strong *coffee and a really good hoodie.

and the people? the neighbors? well, if you need a quick escape, skopje is just a hop, skip, and a jump away. someone told me the bus drivers are legendary for their…enthusiasm. like, full-on competitive driving. i haven’t experienced it myself yet, but i’m bracing for it.

i’m a freelance photographer, and i’m always on the hunt for interesting light, and prístina has it in spades. it’s all brutalist architecture and crumbling facades, which, let me tell you, is chef’s kiss. i spent a whole afternoon just wandering around the university campus, snapping photos of the concrete. it’s…moody.

i overheard some guys in a cafe talking about a hidden speakeasy somewhere near the bill clinton statue. apparently, you need a password and a willingness to drink something that tastes suspiciously like gasoline. i’m intrigued, obviously. you can find some local recommendations on TripAdvisor.

i tried to find a decent vintage shop, but no luck so far. mostly just fast fashion, which is a bummer. i did stumble upon this amazing little bakery though, selling byrek* (savory pie). it was…life-changing. seriously. i’m going back tomorrow. check out Yelp for more local eats.

someone warned me about the traffic. apparently, it’s a free-for-all. no lane markings, no rules, just pure chaos. i’ve seen a few near misses already. i’m starting to think i need to invest in a helmet. you can find some travel tips on Nomadic Matt.

honestly, prístina is growing on me. it’s rough around the edges, a little bit gritty, but it has a certain…energy. it’s not a place you come to for polished perfection. it’s a place you come to get lost, to wander, to discover. and to drink a lot of strong coffee. i’ve also been checking out Booking.com for accommodation options. it’s a bit of a wild card, but that’s what makes it interesting, right?