Day 2, from Kryuz to Rrogozhinë

September 1, 2019

Day 2, from Memzote to Rogozhinë

This morning my body first refused. So I promised it that I would only do a short march today! I started walking at 6:30 without breakfast, bought an extra bottle of water in the village, and 2 large cookies. So that was my breakfast.

I walked along a long ridge on the ridge, with a wonderful view on both sides. Eventually, I took a wrong turn, noticed it after about 10 minutes, and then took a short break to orient myself. Suddenly, a farmer came along the way and said

'I Rusk' and tapped his belly, then I said 'I Austria', he laughed and signaled me to go with him into the olive grove. There was a single small pear tree among the olive trees. He picked a pear and gave it to me, then he signaled me to follow him. Shortly after, we stood in front of grapevines, where he immediately picked 2 large grapevines and gave them to me. After some communication with words and hands, he gave me some water that I could pour over my head to refresh myself. Then he showed me the right way and I said goodbye.

The farmer said 'Rusk' to me and I said Austria in response,

After several repetitions by him, I already knew that he probably doesn't come from Russia. Later in the afternoon, I asked my translator for the word 'grapes' in Albanian. The word that came out was 'Rrush'! 😂 ....

For the time here in Albania, I decided not to take any food for the road. I wanted to rely on the fruits along the way, but in the evening, I would eat in a restaurant or something similar! Of course, I always have 5 power bars with me as an emergency ration! (Yesterday that worked well too, I ate 1 apple, several figs, 1 persimmon, and blackberries along the way)

After a while, I took a wrong path again, but that was okay because I didn't want to walk so far today!

Just before I reached the first village, I ate some figs. When I arrived in the village, I took a short break,

sat down on the ground in the shade of a tree and a wall, and pondered where I could find a hotel nearby for today. Suddenly, an old woman came out of her property, I asked her if this was the way to Rrogozhinë. But she couldn't understand me, so she went back to her property. Shortly after, she came back with her husband, who speaks a bit of Italian. He asked me if I wanted something to eat, I replied - yes, but just a little, because I'm not very hungry. Then they signaled me to go with them into the house.

When I arrived in the living room, I was told to sit on the sofa. I was asked if I wanted beer, schnapps (raki), and coffee, but for now, I declined everything except water. In the meantime, his wife went to the kitchen and started cooking. In the meantime, we talked with the help of Google Translator. When the woman in the kitchen was finished, she started setting the table. The table was set for 3 people - and I was supposed to eat for 2 people, but I could only eat about half of one portion! I knew that I wouldn't get around the raki, so I had 2 rakis, which I clinked glasses with the old man several times saying 'Salute'.

After showing him the photos of my family, I wanted to move on because I was particularly looking forward to a shower and a bed where I could rest a little in the afternoon.

The old man accompanied me for another 40 minutes to the main road, where he could show me the hotel in the distance.

Highlight of the day:

Again, the very friendly and helpful people, see above.

The temperature during the day was 32 degrees again

Insight of the day:

The coordinates of my satellite communication device do not match the specified coordinates of the Via Egnatia Trail description! I still have to find out why this is!