Hasdushk to Peqin – 3rd July
Distance: 12 km – Elevation +70 m -180 m
Weather: Sunny. Temperature: High 34 degrees
I slept remarkably well for 5 hours on my makeshift bed of hay balesI I had little appetite yesterday so I had plenty of food in my rucksack for breakfast and a later snack. I was ready to continue to Peqin just before 6.00 am when the shepherd appeared, he seemed a little hesitant and I think uncertain about me. I smiled and said “ Miremengjes Faleminderit “ meaning Good morning thank you. He returned to his home built on a hill just a short distance away and as I left I saw him watching me leave. He acknowledged my wave and pointed in the direction I needed to take.
After the difficulties of yesterday I decided to have an easy day and just walk to Peqin. A distance of 12 kilometres and mostly flat walking. It was an enjoyable walk through the rural landscape. Near the village of Kodrasej I met a local woman herding her rafter of turkeys along the country road and a little after I sat on a tree trunk for a snack and watched a husband and wife working in the fields in front of me. Again they were uncertain of this stranger in their midst and kept turning from their toils to look in my direction. Eventually I approached them to introduce myself and that eased their concerns. I was passed by a horse and cart which stopped and the woman passenger introduced herself as the woman I had spoken to on the phone last evening. She said she was an English teacher but could not stop for a conversation because she was late for school.
I reached Pequin in good time and rested for a while in the shade of the arched walkway of the Saints Peter and Paul Orthodox Church. The church was closed and looked as if it was no longer in use. I needed cash and found a working ATM with an English option needed to retrieve the money; I am always relieved in foreign countries when everything works as it should. I stopped in the central bar/cafe which is close to the main square and mosque before walking to the town outskirts and the Hotel Maki. I had not pre-booked but they were happy to provide me with a room. It was bliss I must say to have a cooling shower after my night in the shepherd’s hay store and to be able to wash my rather smelly clothes. I slept for most of the afternoon and after a stroll into the town and back, I dined in the hotel restaurant. When I checked into the hotel I was asked if I wanted to eat in the evening and a time of 7.30 pm was agreed, there was no menu, just whatever was being served that day. I was a bit wary because sheepshead is a local delicacy but fortunately, it was a meal I enjoyed, a large salad followed by mutton chops and chips which was well cooked and delicious.
