Tuesday, November 11, 2014

2014 Albania Fall (Vjeshte)

As a Peace Corps volunteer I try to promote world peace and friendship by fulfilling three goals:

  • To help the people of interested countries in meeting their need for trained men and women
  • To help promote a better understanding of Americans on the part of the peoples served
  • To help promote a better understanding of other peoples on the part of Americans.
So I occupy myself doing a lot of Goal #2: Building relationships with Albanians and becoming a member of their society in every way possible. So here is a list of some of the places and activities I have been doing with my new friends..

SEPTEMBER 2014
Lake Funar and Mali Korres with AST Elbasani Hiking Group
Our bountiful feast togetheafter the hike
AST Group photo
It's a great time of year to pick berries and other fruits along the way. 
We had some rain, but not enough to dampen the fun! 

HIMAR, Southern Albania
I felt like I was back in Hawaii! 



ORIKUM AND DUKAT with AST Elbasani Hiking Group
Ancient ruins in Orikum, Southern Albania 

 On the mountain above Dukat Village
 It was quite the climb. Much longer/steeper than anticipated!
But once we are done, the pain goes away, and I have these great memories.

BYLIS
 Bylis is an ancient Illyrian city dating as far back as 400 BC!

I am in the seat of honor at the stadium. 
This is just the stadium. Bylis is a very old, large, ancient city. 

OCTOBER 2014

LESKOVIK, Mali Melesinit with AST Elbasani Hiking Group,
BOROVE, SOTIRE FARM, BENJE THERMAL Pools, and KELSYRE WATERFALLS

Benje Thermal pools near Permit 
This is an ancient Illyrian bridge at Benje Thermal pools 
Kelsyre Waterfalls nearTepelene 

A monument built in memory of the village Borove (near Erseke). Every single citizen in Borove was killed by the Germans in WWII. Each circle represents a family. 
AST Group photo at the top of Melesinit Mountain, near Leskovik

NOVEMBER 2014

Cape Redondit with DJ! (On the coast between Durres and Lezhe)
My sweet little puppy is 3 months old! 

I am in the background sitting on the walls of Skanderbeg Castle while DJ explores.

PAPER, Elbasan with AST Elbasani Hiking Group
This was a long hike, about 7 hours. I was tired. It was DJs first time with the group. She did great. She walked so far, and when she got tired, she had plenty of friends to carry her!! 
She even has her own AST member shirt! 
Sometimes she just needs to be carried! 
DJ brings joy to everyone! 
Are we done yet, Mom? Can we please go home now? I'm tired!

PETRELE Castle, Tirane with AST Elbasani Hiking Group
 PETRELE Castle, Tirane Albania
 PETRELE Castle, Tirane Albania
 PETRELE Castle with AST
PETRELE Castle with AST

Monday, September 15, 2014

2014 August Trip to TX and Alaska

I went home to the USA to visit with my family and friends. My first 5 days was spent in Galveston, Texas to visit two of my sons, Jeremy and Dustin. Most of my time was spent shopping for things I wanted to take back with me to Albania, buying new clothes because my luggage got lost, and riding bikes and visiting non-stop with Jeremy and good friends. There might have been a little bit of cleaning and cooking in there too! The time was short and I didn't sleep much!
Jeremy and I 
Jeremy and I riding bikes with some friends on the Seawall. 

 Jeremy and I at my favorite place to eat....SUBWAY!!
My Dustin :)
ALASKA
The next week was spent on The Golden Princess on a cruise from Seattle, Washington to Alaska, USA. With a group of 10 people, including by best friend from Hawaii, Sonya and her two sisters, their spouses and grown children, etc. It was a great group of people to spend a week on a ship! Although I have 100's of pictures, I tried to narrow it down to a few of the best.

After a night in Seattle, Sonya and I ride the Bremerton Ferry to the cruise ship. 
And it is very big! 
So what do you do on a cruise ship? Line dance lessons... 
Fancy dinners with roommates and friends! 
 We played games and walked around the deck to watch for whales, seals, etc.
We admired and explored our new home for a week!
In Juneau, our first port, I met the family of a PCV in Albania who lives there. Such a great family! 
 Also in Juneau, I took a hike, went shopping, did internet and had dinner with Suzanne's family.
In Skagway, I did more shopping, site seeing, computer, had local rhubarb wine, etc. 
Skagway, Alaska. I helped discover it :) 
Glacier Bay is just what the name says. Lots of Glaciers. The day is on the ship looking at awesome glaciers, whales, seals, etc. 
More of Glacier Bay  
Our group photo of all 10 of us.
Dinners are always an adventure on the ship!

Ketchikan, Alaska was the last stop in Alaska. We shopped, toured, etc.

This is our final group shot with the addition of one of the sisters, we are now 11 people! 
Our final day is in Victoria, Canada. We went to the Empress Hotel for High Tea!
High Tea at the Empress Hotel, Victoria, Canada 
Between ports we fixed hair and dressed up.. 
Enjoyed live music and the beautiful ship... 
 Dressed up every night to enjoy amazing, delicious meals...
Celebrated birthdays...  
And spent quality time with my best friend in the world, Sonya :)