The Sausage . . . it tastes different

Before we left home, our friend Kash told us about a conversation she had with a co-worker who was from Albania. This woman seemed concerned when she heard we were going over there to live for a while.  “What do they like to eat?” she asked. “The sausage there … it tastes different!”

Well, here we are in Albania now, and haven’t had a chance to taste the sausage, but we can say the food is great and the ice cream tastes the same as home!  

We had a smooth trip here, connecting through Chicago, then Frankfurt, then to Albania.  We really enjoyed our flight to Chicago because we had a really sweet, fun young professional sitting next to us heading home for her 5th wedding anniversary.  It was fun chatting with her.  Shoutout to you Nooshin!

We arrived in Albania and amazingly, all of our luggage made it with us.  One thing we found out quickly though, is that this is a cash country and it does not take American money.  It was comical trying to get a euro coin so we could get a cart for all our luggage.  We exchanged money but no one had coins!  Finally one of the workers took pity on us and just gave us a cart and even loaded our luggage on it; the people can be so kind here!  Our mission president and his wife were waiting for us, loaded us in their car and then we got to experience driving in Albania.  Crazy!!!  Traffic laws are more like suggestions; for instance there will be people in a right hand lane deciding to turn left in front of you, or if they need to go in somewhere but there is no parking, they will just park in the middle of the traffic lane.  Round-abouts are insane with people cutting in front of you to exit or jumping in front of you as they enter.  Somehow it all works, and Cliff has become pretty good at dealing with it all.  In fact, he kind of likes it– it’s his kind of driving!  The good news is that they are very good here about stopping for pedestrians–and even though there are cross-walks people just cross the street wherever! (Including us now!) 

We have been assigned to a city called Fier, about 1 ½  hours south of TIrana.  It’s a smaller town with a small branch of the church, but some wonderful members.  There are a few older people that have been members for 30 years but so much of the leadership here (and not just in Fier, but all over) is made up of young adults.  Our branch elder’s quorum president is 19 and has been a member for just about 2 years. We’ve had an opportunity to visit some of the members and they are very welcoming and hospitable…and are determined to make sure we don’t go away hungry!  One woman prides herself in feeding the missionaries.  This sweet lady is basically disabled–it’s very hard for her to walk, she uses crutches or a walker and she has very limited means.  We do try to bring something with us to contribute to the meal and she will allow it but it better not be much!  And then she stuffs us with food (and she’s a wonderful cook!).   We visited another woman who also insisted on feeding us even though she’s been sick for the last little while.  These 2 women (and there are more) are such great examples of Christlike love, serving others even though it is hard on them.  Next time I’m asked to bring a meal for someone and feel like maybe I’m too busy, I will think of these sweet women and their willingness to sacrifice for others–in far more ways than time!

Fun facts about Albania we’ve found so far:  It is HOT here in the summertime.  Everyone (at least in this town) walks places–it’s usually faster than trying to drive.  So we have been walking too: for me, probably more in 6 days than I’ve walked in the last 6 months–at least in hot weather!  Things slow down in the afternoon heat with people mostly staying inside.  But what is really nice is that in the evening, everyone comes out and socializes, particularly the older generation.  They gather and sit on benches and talk. Younger people congregate as well, while children run around and play together. Many stroll up and down the plaza area greeting friends.  It’s such a pleasant atmosphere…kind of like a Mayberry RFD town (and yes, you have to be over 60 to understand that reference).  Once winter hits, we are told that in Fier, this becomes less popular, but in Tirana (the capital) it goes on like this year round.  

There are no addresses.  Mail service doesn’t really exist except for post offices.  I’m not sure how they did it before technology, but to find someone, you're sent a pin on google maps or given directions like “the house 2 doors down on the street behind the bakery”.  

Today Cliff did a good deed by pushing an elderly man in a wheelchair up the hill to the hospital.  Two equally elderly ladies were taking turns pushing him, so Cliff jumped out of the car to help . . . It was hard even for him!  They were very grateful, and the man took Cliff’s hand and kissed it.  So sweet!  I hope somehow those ladies were able to get him back down the hill without letting him go or getting dragged down the hill themselves!!

We’re starting to get in the swing of things, exploring a bit, and definitely looking forward to meeting more people and serving where we can!  Mirupafshim deri herën tjetër! 

FIER! If we look hot, it's because we are!

Our good friends the Andrus's came through Albania on their way to Greece; they were on a shuttle bus that was going to stop somewhere near us--but with no addresses weren't quite sure where. They dropped us a pin which led us to nowhere, so by txting back and forth we took a chance on a gas station stop with a hotel (us driving up and down the freeway to find it) and 5 minutes after we got there, their shuttle drove in! We were able to have lunch before they took off again. So fun!

People gathering and visiting in the evening

Visited another senior couple, the Lakes, in Vlore where they are serving. It's right on the Ionian Sea. The water is beautiful!

Lunch! Traditional food--so good!