This article originally appeared on VICE GreeceDojran is a lake on the border of Greece and Macedonia – or to be more geographically exact: 27.3 square kilometres of the water's surface are Macedonian and 15.8 square metres are Greek. The Greek side of the lake is pretty quiet – when you pass it, you'll see little groups of trees, fishermen, and slow-moving employees of the customs administration on the border. When you drive into Macedonia, everything changes. The first village you'll pass is Star Dojran ("Old Dojran") and it's a bustling holiday resort for Macedonians who don't have the funds to spend their holiday in the turquoise waters of Halkidiki – the Greek region where more well-off Macedonians, Russians, Bulgarians and Northern Greeks go. At the Macedonian part of Dojran Lake it has been peak holiday season these past few weeks.
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The murky waters of the lake are bordered by a concrete wall. Parasols and sun beds are set up on the hard, gravel beach, while some people spread their towels out on the sidewalk for a picnic. In Star Dojran, you won't see the luxury SUV's you'll see in Halkidiki – people here drive Ladas, Zastavas and Beetles. The town breathes nostalgia – there's an atmosphere of post-Soviet joviality and Balkan inventiveness. Most holidaymakers drink Greek frappés at 120 denars (£1.65) and spend less than 1,230 denars (£16.90) on a full grilled carp or roast chicken dinner for a family of four. There is an outdoor bazaar, vendors, a casino, a gas station and there's Ivan – who walks around town with a python on his shoulders. Star Dojran isn't a beautiful town, but what's the point of beauty when in this area, beauty only seems to be a question of money?More on VICE:Photos of Loners Taking Advantage of the Black Sea's Off SeasonEerie Photos of Decrepit Tourist Destinations in EuropeCapitalism Took Over My Favourite Communist Spa
