

We leave Paradise in the mountains of Bogë, Kosovo to go back down one of the deepest and longest canyon in Europe. We passed mountain flowers and rushing waters,as we wound through the chiseled our cave tunnels. One cave is so dark that we drive blindly, as our eyes could not adjust to the darkness. It was like plunging into the devils cauldron so dark, that exiting is was like seeing a wedding dress made of moonlight. The insides are just ragged rocks with no other support. Seeing the canyon from this direction, it was like we had not been there before.
We left late, because the cabin was nice in every way. They said we could stay into the afternoon and we did. We head to Montenegro border. We did not have a negative COVID test, so we were turned back. Feeling defeated, we head back down the windy road to find a hotel and make a plan.

The next day, after calling several hospitals, no test kits were available. We then headed to the capital of Kosovo to their hospital.
After many people giving broken English directions, we end up in the COVID ward with sick people everywhere. Nurses are running towards us directing us out.
After more misdirected steps, we find the proper place. We are removed and placed in another room and an English speaking doctor came downstairs to talk to us. They don’t do travel testing, normally, but he opened the doors for us, to get it done for free. We had a slew of people start the process. We each sat down on an alcohol-sprayed laden chair and a long swab is pushed through both nostrils to the back of our sinuses. I start thinking in some part of my brain the COVID we were just in contact with now has two weakened spots to invade. Luckily we don’t fear something we already have had; six months ago
It seems funny we must test for COVID in a place with a lot of sick people all around. I really don’t want to get it again, but the science doesn’t state it inevitable, so we feel we are good.
We found a little cabin on the outskirts of Pristina, to stay two nights and wait for our results.
We go back to the hospital, the computers are down. About two hours later we get our negative tickets to ride. We did it!