Keeping Shqip real..

Kip explaining the local drink, Raki.

I had my PST interview with the director of C.O.D. during lunch and think it went really well. They asked me what I expected out of my position and I think that I would be very beneficial to the tourism industry here because of my marketing and graphic design background. I showed the two interviewers some of my graphic design work and they seemed very impressed by my trade. They kept telling me what a need there was everywhere in the country for my skills and even mentioned a possible site placement somewhere that a PCV has never been before.  They also mentioned that I might be placed with two other site mates that were from TEFL and Health so that would be interesting to be with PCV’s of a different division. Over all I think the initial interview went very well and that they were impressed with my previous work, which was one relief of many anxieties I’ve been having since I’ve been here.

Kip, Casey and Mayaan in the Univers Hotel.

Six current PCV’s came to the hotel today to answer any questions that we had has trainees, which was very helpful. They had 2 from each division here and one from each group currently serving in Albania. I was relieved when the women serving said that the only occurrence of harassment they had received was minimal to none (cat calling, etc.) at all at their sites. Two of the three women on panel lived alone and said they felt safer at their apartment in Albania than in the U.S. This was one of my biggest concerns coming in after learning about all the differences in gender roles in Albania but it eased my mind listening to the current women volunteers.

  

The Univers Hotel.

Language training was even more difficult today than yesterday as we learned food names and beverage names.  We even started to form small sentences. It’s so strange because no matter how hard I try to not revert back to Spanish, somehow my mind still does. Instead of asking “and you” in Albanian, pronounced “po yew,” the first thing that pops into my head is “y tu” in Spanish. I think with time this will dwindle but right now that’s the most difficult thing I’m dealing with as far as language learning goes. A lot of Albanian words sound German to me, very harsh sounding letters and words.

 1000 new leke = about 10 US Dollars

 

We had our last meal all together tonight and I got to talk to some people that will be staying in Bishqem with me. I hear that the site is a medium sized town and does not have internet access. I’m very anxious to meet my host family but just as excited as I am anxious. I know the language barrier will be an issue at first but I cannot wait until we can all communicate effectively with words and not just gestures.

John and I drinking our Albanian beer and studying.

I feel like I’m really bonding with some of my fellow trainees. Don’t get me wrong, everyone is amazing but it’s only natural to form smaller groups within a group of 41 people. I’m still trying to get everyone’s name down but I can probably tell you about 85% of peoples names, about 60% of where people are from in the states and about 50% of what division they’re serving in as a PCV or PST right now.

Our study group trying to learn Shqipe.

John and I walked to the store tonight and I bought some detergent because I read that we were responsible for washing our own clothes at the host families’ homes. They said that it is a Peace Corps requirement that each host family provides a room with furniture and a lock on the door. I guess it’s the more ‘not knowing’ aspect right now than anything that is making me a bit anxious about tomorrow. Since we’ve been in Albania we have truly been inside the walls of the hotel or about 20 blocks into Elbasan. It almost doesn’t even feel real to me that I’m here yet, it hasn’t sunk in that this is real. I think for the most part I’ve been running on auto-pilot since I’ve been here and once I get to the host family and the pace of life slows down (well sort of) it will finally sink in that I’m actually in Europe. I say sort of because although we will be experiencing more relaxation in our living situations we still have a booked schedule with language classes, hub visits.. and the list goes on. Every volunteer that spoke today said that training was the hardest experience overall. Great. If I make it through this at least I know I’m semi, borderline prepared for what’s next.

Sean (Durham NC, Duke), Casey (Streator IL, University of Illinois), Kip (San Antonio TX, Texas A&M and Brenna.

Një Di Tre Katër Pesë Gjashtë Shtatë Tetë Nëntë Dhjet (1-10)

John and Lauren practicing their conversation skills in Elbasan.

Yesterday we learned how to count to 20 in Albanian and learned common phrases like "Hello" "Good afternoon" " How are you" etc. It felt good just to get started and actually dive into the language. I feel like the teachers are really in tuned to us learning and being productive with the language which is very comforting. The numbers 11-19 are seriously about 5 syllables a piece which is quite difficult but easy once you catch onto them.

My roommate Casey and I right off the plane in Elbasan.

I'm feeling a bit apprehensive about go to my host family tomorrow since I feel like other PCT's are my family right now. I feel like the friends that I've made will definatley be a strong support system throughout this experience since they  going to some of the same trials as I am. I think PC knows what they're doing when they don't just drop us off at a host families house and give us a chance to bound with our group.

 

A Greek salad at dinner.

I feel like they are feeding us sooooooo much. Everything here is very tasty! We have french fries with almost every meal which I did not expect. The only thing missing is the ketchup! Meat, kabobs, pasta with ham, boiled eggs, sides of Greek yogurt and some sort of potato salad are somethings that have frequented our dinner tables.

Tonight they have a planned Disco for the volunteers last night together. I'll probably be able to post one more time before I go to my host family then I'm not sure about the internet connection in the town but I will be back in Elbasan 4 times a week for language training.

+355 69 457 0134

 Our view from the hotel in Elbasan.

 

Clock tower in Elbasan.

41 PCV’s for Albania finally made it to Mother Teresa airport on Wednesday! Out of those 41 volunteers 17 of us had lost luggage... yeah I said us, me included. Apparently it happens a lot so we’re not too worried about getting our suitcases delivered to us shortly. From the airport in Tirana we took a 2 ½ hour bus ride to Elbasan through the North Eastern part of Albania. We were able to observe the agriculture, building structures and people of Albania for the first time. Well, considered I slept most of the trip I didn’t get to do that much observing but there will be plenty of time for that. We were served a bag lunch that included a sandwich with ham, turkey and French fries on it, a banana and a really good candy wafer bar.

We unloaded what bags we did have into our rooms and then went on a tour of the city. Just like we were told only men were out having tea/beer/coffee with each other while there were few women on the streets at all. The city was beautiful and the people were curious and friendly. We were familiarized with where the Peace Corps offices were as well as visiting a castle and just over all getting a feel for the city.

Street scene in Elbasan.

Our first dinner we enjoyed some traditional Albanian food that reminded a lot of Greek food and we were also issued our cell phones.  Apparently texting will be our most popular form of communication between other PCV’s while we are in different sites because it is cheaper than calling. We also received our host family placements. I was placed with a family that has two teenage daughters, a 9 year old son, a mother and a “house keeper” which is the father or “head of the family.” I will be located in the town of Bishqem and was given allowance for my travel to Elbasan 4 times a week. There are 4 other PCV’s in Bishqem with me who all also in the Community and Organization Development program. Other programs that are in Albania besides C.O.D. are T.E.F.L. or Teaching English as a Foreign Language and Health Education.

This picture is from our first dinner in Albania.

We had training this morning that included a basic overview of the program in Albania and what's to be expected of us as Volunteers. We just finished our lunch break in between training. We got to meet all the staff members today. We're going through medical shots and an initial interview either today or tomorrow.

 We recieved our cellphones, anyone can call/text me but I cannot return the text or call you. I suggest if you want to call to get skype minutes because they're cheap!

+355 69 457 0134

The 355 is the country code. Either use the + or 00 before the country code.

Waiting in Dulles.

 

We're all checked in, bags are checked and now we're waiting in Dulles for our 8:05pm flight to Munich Airport. Apparently it's an 8 hour flight, hopefully we'll get an in flight meal. I'm so exhausted and running on pure adrenaline, I think everyone is. I was sooo wrapped up in with what was going on in DC  I almost forgot that we were leaving for Albania. Everyone I've talked to so far has been really nice, it's awesome to get to know people from all parts of the States. Although, my accent  has been the butt of many jokes and the fact I say 'yawl' and spell 'yawl' like 'yawl' is quite entertaining for people from other parts of the country.

So long America, Hello Albania!

Being tourist in DC

Training in DC

Training went well in DC. My flight arrived around 9:10am in DC and after I stood at the shuttle for 20 minutes finally someone came by and informed me I actually needed a shuttle ticket to take a shuttle, go figure. I arrived to the Holiday Inn in Georgetown, some how got my bags into the room and took a second to myself to realize I was actually on my way to becoming a Peace Corps Volunteer.

My roommate came in less than an hour after me, she's a University of Illionis graduate and in the C.O.D. program as well (we realize that's how they roomed people together). I finally feel reassured that I'm making the right decision because everyone here has made the same decision that I have for various reasons.. but we're all here for the same reason.

After training we all decided to go out for Indian food in Georgetown and we all got to bond more as we talked over beer and amazing Indian food. We explored Georgetown and got to know our fellow Peace Corps family a little more as we went further into the night.

Tomorrow we plan on doing some DC site seeing before we check out of the hotel at 2pm to catch our flight out of Dulles to Munich. We're supposed to arrive in Albania on Wednesday around 2pm.

Pictures I took in Georgetown

Last full day in NC

Today was my last full day in North Carolina.. Bittersweet to say the least. Tomorrow I jump into my dad's honda at 5am and drive to Raleigh airport to fly to Dulles Airport in Washington DC.

I said goodbye to my best friend in the world today. But it was an awesome goodbye because we got to watch Duke cream UNC in the ACC Tournament. It's really hard to say good-bye to people but like my grandma says, every good thing in your life comes with some sacrifices.

 

After watching the news for hours and days I was really worried about my host family from Japan. I shot them an email and I was happy to hear back from the mom telling me that all was well with her family and sent me these adorable pictures of Rikuu and Kouna.