2015 Albania Winter (Dimer)

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, then sharing it with you, Goal #3. So here is a list of some of the places and activities I have been doing with my new friends.

DECEMBER 2014

Mali I Thate, Pogradec, Albania with AST Elbasani Hiking Group

 Just a few of us made it to the top. It was so very cold. Jeremy is to my left with the blue box around his face. I have the pink box.

 This was Jeremy's 1st hike with me. A very tough one because of the cold.

The hike actually started off warm, but the temperature dropped fast as we gained altitude. 

My favorite photo of mother and son! 

Coming down is always so fast, but we were left behind! I remember thinking, "Where the heck has everyone gone to so fast? And, what if we make a wrong turn?"

AST Elbasani Holiday Party and Sejdini Family Celebration of Health

Members of AST Elbasani and Friends and Family of the Sejdini Family 

Club Certificates were awarded to all :) 

We were celebrating the health of this young man. What a wonderful night! 

Jeremy and I dancing the traditional Albanian Circle Dance.

JANUARY 2015

Gjinar, Albania, Skiing with AST Elbasani Hiking Group

Jeremy and I are in the red and orange coats. We had some rain in the beginning. 

Jeremy skiing up the hill? :) 

This family cooked all of us a great meal. The weather was COLD!! 

Enjoying the day with my son, Jeremy.

Voskopoje, Albania with AST Elbasani Hiking Group

Vokopoje, near Korce, in Albania 

Vokopoje used to have 25+ churches before they were almost all destroyed during communism. Only 7 remain today and I was able to see 5 of them. 

One of the few remaining churches in Voskopoje, Albania 

ALBANIK, Elbasan with AST Elbasani Hiking Group

Albanik is a resort in the hills of Elbasan. It has cabins to sleep, a lake, and a great restaurant. 

Like always, when we are done hiking, we enjoy a meal together and traditional dancing. 

Great views from the road. 

Hiking is a very social activity for me and a lot of cultural exchange happens.

FEBRUARY 2015

Mali I Dajtit, Tirane, Albania with AST Elbasani Hiking Group

Alpine Ski and Tourism Elbasani. I am in there somewhere :) 

As always, as we ascend, the snow gets deeper. 

and deeper... 

This is the top of Dajti Mountain. Radio Antennas...that is all! 

After the hike...eat, drink, dance, laugh and have a great time together.