October 8 – 10, 2023
Heading North
We’re on a six hour long bus driving north from Tirana, Albania, to Kotor, Montenegro.
I’ll be encountering a whole new language in this new country. Time to update the language in Google Translate. I scroll down the list, in search for Montenegrin.
What’s Up Google Translate?
Languages in the translate app are listed by country, alphabetically. But there’s no Montenegrin. What the heck? For some reason Montenegro didn’t rate with the Google Translate App.
Size Matters
In my crusade to denigrate Google Translate, I decided to pick on Odia. I mean, who’s ever heard of the Odia language (besides Tom, my linguist friend)? Well, I guess 33 million native speakers have. Hmmm…
Ok, then what about Pashto? Turns out Pashto is spoken in Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Iran by 40-60 million people. Hmmm…
A quick Google search shows that the latest data, taken in 2011, indicates that 85,000 people speak Montenegrin. Well, I guess that’s the answer, size does matter. Montenegro is a very small country of only 626,000 people. It’s actually slightly smaller than Connecticut.
It’s All Good
Alas, I was able to look up a few basic Montenegrin words online. I found thank you and hello, but must say I am mightily disappointed in my Google Translate app. I’ve come to trust Google Translate, and frankly, I feel a little betrayed.
Thankfully, our stay is short; just two nights. Just a quick hit to break up the long bus ride from Albania to Croatia.
But, I tell you, what a nice place to take a break!
A Rich History
Kotor is a medieval city. The Old Town is incredibly picturesque, and the town’s history dates back over 2,000 years.
The first inhabitants of Kotor were the Romans. At that time, the city of Kotor was called Acruvium and it was first mentioned in 168 BC. The walls of Kotor were first built by the Illyrians and Romans, but the “final touch” was given by the Venetians. Emperor Justinian I built a fort above the city in 535 BC.
The Budget
A hit you in the face difference between Albania and Montenegro is the cost of everything. Although Montenegro is only an EU candidate at this point, their official currency is the euro. And things cost about 50% more here than in Albania.
We knew a price hike was coming as we headed north, but it’s still hard to take. And we’re heading further north to Dubrovnik, Croatia, then north again to Ljubljana, Slovenia, so we’d better get used to our new reality of pricey locations.
It’s ok though. We’ll do our best to stay thrifty, get a quick glimpse of Kotor, eat some amazing Italian food, visit the maritime museum, and see a zillion cats of all persuasions.
“Cats Are Our Heroes”
As you meander through the winding alleys of Kotor, it’s impossible not to notice all the references to cats. I’d say 90% of the souvenir stores have cat paraphernalia.
Seriously, everywhere you look there are cat mugs, cat ceramics, cat dishtowels, cat tote bags, cat socks, cat artwork, and cat hats. Cat everything. It’s like my Aunt Peggy’s worst nightmare come to life.
I stopped in one tiny shop where the young woman displays her paintings of Kotor, and, of course, paintings of cats. She said “Cats are our heroes”, explaining that in the early 1900’s cats saved the town.
We’re Saved
Folklore has it that Kotor, being located between the mountains and the sea, was once inundated with mice, snakes, and rats. Sailing ships that stopped in Kotor port had cats on board, and the rest is history. Because the ships were from all over the world, Kotor’s cats are quite diverse.
Nowadays the cats have become a kind of symbol both of good luck and prosperity, and of the old town which survived despite the wars, sieges and earthquakes.
Kotor Today
The best way to appreciate old town Kotor is to get lost in the old medieval paver pathways. It’s best to just wander. The small alleyways meander this way and that, popping out onto gorgeous squares full of more delights.
Beautiful churches, cafes, restaurants, and souvenir shops are around every corner.
Wins & Losses
Wins
One full day in Kotor old town was perfect. It’s a small area, and we covered every bit of the old town.
Losses
The Kotor Castle: We didn’t make it up to the castle that sits at the top of 1350 stairs. Stairs that are centuries old, crumbled, uneven, and sometimes slippery. My cutoff is any staircase over 1200 steps. Darn, so close, but just a few stairs over my limit.
Cats: We loved all the cats in town, but after walking through what we deemed “Poop Alley“, I remembered what I don’t like about owning a cat. Enough said.