24 August 2023, Mitrovica [KOSOVO]
North City Hotel 4130RSD [R712]

We’re in Kosovo. QED-ish.
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We have put down roots for a few days in Mitrovica in a somewhat odd little apartment with a very strange host.
On the plus side, the apartment is cool, centrally located and has a washing machine and strong wifi. On the odd side, it looks from the street like a storefront wedged between a coffee shop and a Burek* restaurant. The kitchen and bathroom are 600mm higher than the bedroom / living room, accessed via a wooden bench-step. Although the place is advertised as having a kitchen and in fact sports a fridge, there is literally no other equipment, no kettle, no crockery or cutlery, and a sign beside the door reads "Unallowed Food Drinks Smoking".
The host, not located in town it seems, is incredibly neurotic. He does not trust that a guest who has made a booking will actually pitch up (probably had some bad experiences). He asks that when you arrive at the street door, you whatsapp a selfie in front of it to him. Then he arranges for his employee to meet you. Then he insists on a video call - he was shirtless under a grapevine for our conversation. He watched the employee photograph our passports and counted out the cash payment on camera. Between intimating during whatsapp engagements that you are likely to cheat him, he sends smiley emojis and notes about how sweet you are!
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*Burek is phyllo pastry stuffed with meat or spinach and cheese or potato. In the restaurants here it is accompanied by a plain yoghurt.