Pristina, Kosovo

2021-10-25

It totally counts

If you hang around people who travel a lot, you'll sometimes come across the topic of when a visit to another country actually counts. And the two primary factors in this equation, as I see it, are the following:

1) How long time you spend in a country, and
2) The country's official status as a country.

This is where you could argue that I'm in trouble with this one. Because Kosovo is only acknowledged by around half of the world's countries as a sovereign nation, and the UN isn't on board with the idea.

Also, I was there for one afternoon.

Normally, I'd say you'd have to at least spend one night. Yet, I wage that this one counts. Because I wasn't just passing through. Having ordered a guided tour of the capital, Pristina, I made an active effort to soak up what I could of the country's culture, history, art, and even cuisine.

The world's ugliest library, allegedly. I haven't seen them all, but I'm pretty sure the experts are in agreement here.
The world's ugliest library, allegedly. I haven't seen them all, but I'm pretty sure the experts are in agreement here.
Mother Teresa made entirely from staples. The Macedonians claim overship of her as well, since she was born in Skopje, but it was part of Kosovo back then. I'm neutral on this one.
Mother Teresa made entirely from staples. The Macedonians claim overship of her as well, since she was born in Skopje, but it was part of Kosovo back then. I'm neutral on this one.
Bit of leftovers from that war.
Bit of leftovers from that war.
The government building. Not an interesting picture until you notice the cover-up job near the middle upper window: One disgruntled civilian fired a bazooka at the damn thing.
The government building. Not an interesting picture until you notice the cover-up job near the middle upper window: One disgruntled civilian fired a bazooka at the damn thing.
From the modern art museum. Guess this is kinda metal.
From the modern art museum. Guess this is kinda metal.
Ditto.
Ditto.
Clinton supported Kosovo a lot, so they're quite big on him. In fact, since 1999, it's been mandatory for secretaries to provide government officials with a weekly blowjob.
Clinton supported Kosovo a lot, so they're quite big on him. In fact, since 1999, it's been mandatory for secretaries to provide government officials with a weekly blowjob.
Commemoration for the children who were lost during the war. Still working on a joke about that...
Commemoration for the children who were lost during the war. Still working on a joke about that...
Flia – a traditional Kosovan/Albanian dish consisting of pancake-style bread in layers with cream, served with sour cream and pepper.
Flia – a traditional Kosovan/Albanian dish consisting of pancake-style bread in layers with cream, served with sour cream and pepper.
And for dessert in a nearby park: Roasted chestnuts and a Peja – a nice local pilsener style beer.
And for dessert in a nearby park: Roasted chestnuts and a Peja – a nice local pilsener style beer.

Of course, these pics are the tip of the iceberg. Whether you think this one counts as a legitimate visit or not, I still managed to squeeze as much out of Kosovo in my 5-6 hours of visiting the country as humanly possible.

So is it worth a visit? If you're into the Balkans like I am, I'd say yes, although I'm not sure how much the country has to offer outside of Pristina as it is a fairly small place. Also, it's a Muslim country, so I'm guessing metal's not very big – I didn't notice any of it. And alcohol, while not impossible to come by, isn't exactly the cultural linchpin.

If you're in the area anyway, and if you think visiting new countries is an end in itself like I do, go ahead and spend a handful of hours in Pristina.

It totally counts.

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