When is a wall not a wall.......?
When its an Albanian Urinal....
My eyes didn't deceive me yesterday, when in plain daylight, and not even in a corner or somewhere dark and out of the way, but on the pavement of a main street, was this youngster taking a tinkle up against a wall.... It was beyond belief!!!
Wednesday, January 31, 2007
Tuesday, January 30, 2007
When is a one-way system not a one-way system.....??
When you're in Albania!!! :o)
Sorry once again for the lack of posts. Writers block!! Actually, apart from the mundane daily things that I normally do here, nothing especially exciting has been happening here this last week. Kids church, Cuke gypsy camp and my computer lessons have been the main focus. Yesterday, however, I went to Konstipol, close to the Greek border to visit a school, and help them install two new computers for their department.
I also went to the border to get my passport stamped so that I'm legally here in Albania!! After the Albanian side meticulously wrote all my details in a book, I walked over to the Greek side. The greek passport guy took one look at my passport, threw it back at me said 'that's ok..'. I'm sure he was meant to write the details in the computer. Ahh well - never mind.
It's power cut time, so I'll sign off. Take care.
When you're in Albania!!! :o)
Sorry once again for the lack of posts. Writers block!! Actually, apart from the mundane daily things that I normally do here, nothing especially exciting has been happening here this last week. Kids church, Cuke gypsy camp and my computer lessons have been the main focus. Yesterday, however, I went to Konstipol, close to the Greek border to visit a school, and help them install two new computers for their department.
I also went to the border to get my passport stamped so that I'm legally here in Albania!! After the Albanian side meticulously wrote all my details in a book, I walked over to the Greek side. The greek passport guy took one look at my passport, threw it back at me said 'that's ok..'. I'm sure he was meant to write the details in the computer. Ahh well - never mind.
It's power cut time, so I'll sign off. Take care.
Sunday, January 21, 2007
Congratulations to Roo and Tom Jeffrey, who had a fantastic baby girl on the 18th of January. Really looking forward to coming home and seeing little baby Isabelle. Hope you don’t mind but I thought I’d put the picture here for everyone to see…
Yesterday I visited Cuke, and took with me about 10 pounds (40 bars) of chocolate!! I was soooo tempted to eat a bar myself, but I resisted. The money was given to me by Anna’s mum to buy
Yesterday I visited Cuke, and took with me about 10 pounds (40 bars) of chocolate!! I was soooo tempted to eat a bar myself, but I resisted. The money was given to me by Anna’s mum to buy
something for the children, and since the money was raised by
holding a tuck shop at a Bosh gig (http://www.boshmusic.com/) I thought it would be fitting to take the children some chocolate.
On buying the aforementioned 40 bars of chocolate, needless to say, I had some VERY funny looks at the shop, but thankfully my Albanian is coming along enough to manage the explanation that they were for the kids at Cuke.
When we arrived at Cuke, we found out that a lot of the residents there were very ill. It looks like they all had flu, and some of the younger ones – one girl in particular (pictured here with Anna back in September) looked terrible (bless her). Please if you can remember these guys in your prayers – I really hope they all recover quickly.
Nothing much else to report, I’m afraid. Still no rain (which isn’t a bad thing in my book!!) and am still giving computer lessons – Mondays lesson is on MSN Messenger!! Hee hee!!!
Take care readers…. Still glad to know you’re all alive, so keep in touch.
holding a tuck shop at a Bosh gig (http://www.boshmusic.com/) I thought it would be fitting to take the children some chocolate.
On buying the aforementioned 40 bars of chocolate, needless to say, I had some VERY funny looks at the shop, but thankfully my Albanian is coming along enough to manage the explanation that they were for the kids at Cuke.
When we arrived at Cuke, we found out that a lot of the residents there were very ill. It looks like they all had flu, and some of the younger ones – one girl in particular (pictured here with Anna back in September) looked terrible (bless her). Please if you can remember these guys in your prayers – I really hope they all recover quickly.Nothing much else to report, I’m afraid. Still no rain (which isn’t a bad thing in my book!!) and am still giving computer lessons – Mondays lesson is on MSN Messenger!! Hee hee!!!
Take care readers…. Still glad to know you’re all alive, so keep in touch.
Monday, January 15, 2007
My apologies for the lack of writing lately....
I am trying to update this site at every opportunity, but with the current electricity situation - those opportunities are getting fewer and further between.
Where shall I start, after a full weekend's work?
Well - I'm not so sure whether it was a total success, but I've just finished teaching my very first lesson here in Sarande. I was mainly teaching computers (the first lesson was on the internet, and to teach basic understanding of how to get around). However, due to my lack of Albanian, I also taught a lot english too.
The class was a difficult one, due to the difference in calibre of students, some of which were younger, and therefore understood more of the basics of computers, and some of the slightly older ones (and I'm not trying to be ageist here guys) who had never even used a mouse before!!
Not exactly a simple task. We'll see how the next one goes!! :o)
I am trying to update this site at every opportunity, but with the current electricity situation - those opportunities are getting fewer and further between.
Where shall I start, after a full weekend's work?
Well - I'm not so sure whether it was a total success, but I've just finished teaching my very first lesson here in Sarande. I was mainly teaching computers (the first lesson was on the internet, and to teach basic understanding of how to get around). However, due to my lack of Albanian, I also taught a lot english too.
The class was a difficult one, due to the difference in calibre of students, some of which were younger, and therefore understood more of the basics of computers, and some of the slightly older ones (and I'm not trying to be ageist here guys) who had never even used a mouse before!!
Not exactly a simple task. We'll see how the next one goes!! :o)
Saturday 13th January
Again - my apologies for the slowness of my writing. I'm just catching up with the updating since the very busy weekend, and lack of internet connection.
Saturday morning was another early(ish) morning. Instead of the usual kids church, I joined Richard and Lynda (his wife) in helping to fetch the Cuke and Orphanage children for Saturday morning football and volleyball. They turned up at my doorstep at 8:50, and the car was jam-packed full of kids!! I thought they came to say 'We'll take them, and come back for you' but no - I got in the car. Half the kids were shouting 'stop' for some reason as we got on our way, and to my horror - one of them had got out as i was getting in!! Richard, though, fully accustomed and aware of their tricks, had noticed, and was only teasing her by driving away and making her run after the car!!
When we arrived at the nunnery, where the football and volleyball training is held, I was shocked to discover that it was about a 10 minute walk away from my house!! When I'd seen pictures of the nunnery previously, it seemed like a place that was miles and miles away in the country. Unfortunately - now it is surrounded by brand new high-rise flats which are currently being built, and are basically an eyesore!! Its amazing how westernised Sarande is becoming, and how property is now fast becoming such a big business in Albania.
I spent a lot of my time taking photos whilst I was there, but it was amazing to see a few things. The first fantastic thing I saw was how well all the cuke children and the Sarande town kids (including the orphanage kids) are getting on. With the exception of poor Tolli, who definately has a physical disability of some sort, the kids have integrated seemlessly. This is such a blessing, as the gypsys are so often the outcasts of soceity. They are also so engulfed in their own community, that it is rare for them to be able to communicate and hang out with other people. This really gives them a fantastic way of developing social skills and increasing their potential later in life.
The second was to see a guy called Shaban there. Shaban is a shopkeeper in the town of Cuke. He has volunteered to help drive the children from Cuke on Saturday morning, for no more than petrol costs. Obviously - a taxi journey would cost over 5 pounds each way, but Shaban is dedicating his time for these children. It is defintaley a ray of sunshine in a world which I have come to realise is a very 'me me me' place.
1) Richard (left) and Shaban...
2) Sadike (i think thats how you spell it) coaching...
Volleyball is a very difficult game. We weren't playing the 3 touch rule, and a lot of the younger Cuke kids were given special treatment, being allowed to serve much closer to the net. But this was good training for them all, and it was great to see smiles on their faces when they scored points on the board (not that i dont think anyone was keeping count though!!).
1) Kristina and a girl from Sarande getting taught by Sadike the coach
2) Training in a group
3) About to serve - one of the Cuke youngsters
4) the girls mid-game...
5) Kristina hitting a return
6) The girls team (and enjoying their well deserved Sprite)
The football was great to watch, especially watching both Kristo and Jorgo. Kristo struggled a bit, hi touch letting him down a few times, and as a youngster he's evidently learning that life outside the Cuke camp will be a bit more difficult, and that its not all that easy to play against a full team. Jorgo on the other hand was in his eliment. He was a fantastic goalkeeper in the training part, and in the outfield he ran rings around the other boys, scoring 3 goals!!
1) Kristo in some 'pre-game tactics' with the Sarande town boys
2) Kristo (top right) with the boys...
3) One of the Sarande kids doing some practice drills
4) One of the orphanage children doing some keep-ups
5) Jorgo shoots and scores....
6) Jorgo showing off his dribbling skills
I would like to ask you to think about contributions to this work. Richard is funding most of the costs which is incurred for this training, and as readers of this blogsite, I am giving you the opportunity to contribute. I dont want you to feel under any pressure, but the more I spend time here, the more I realise that a little goes a long way. I would estimate the costs of this work being 10 pounds a week. Now - obviously - thats a large sum of money, but for 5 people to give 10 pounds a month, means that this project is fully funded for a month. That will include paying the petrol costs, a shaperone for the kids and of course the all important drink of Sprite at the end!! To think that David Beckham is on half a million pounds a week for his new team in the USA - it outrages me to think that a week of his wages would change this city upside down!!!
The boys football team...
Again - my apologies for the slowness of my writing. I'm just catching up with the updating since the very busy weekend, and lack of internet connection.
Saturday morning was another early(ish) morning. Instead of the usual kids church, I joined Richard and Lynda (his wife) in helping to fetch the Cuke and Orphanage children for Saturday morning football and volleyball. They turned up at my doorstep at 8:50, and the car was jam-packed full of kids!! I thought they came to say 'We'll take them, and come back for you' but no - I got in the car. Half the kids were shouting 'stop' for some reason as we got on our way, and to my horror - one of them had got out as i was getting in!! Richard, though, fully accustomed and aware of their tricks, had noticed, and was only teasing her by driving away and making her run after the car!!
When we arrived at the nunnery, where the football and volleyball training is held, I was shocked to discover that it was about a 10 minute walk away from my house!! When I'd seen pictures of the nunnery previously, it seemed like a place that was miles and miles away in the country. Unfortunately - now it is surrounded by brand new high-rise flats which are currently being built, and are basically an eyesore!! Its amazing how westernised Sarande is becoming, and how property is now fast becoming such a big business in Albania.
I spent a lot of my time taking photos whilst I was there, but it was amazing to see a few things. The first fantastic thing I saw was how well all the cuke children and the Sarande town kids (including the orphanage kids) are getting on. With the exception of poor Tolli, who definately has a physical disability of some sort, the kids have integrated seemlessly. This is such a blessing, as the gypsys are so often the outcasts of soceity. They are also so engulfed in their own community, that it is rare for them to be able to communicate and hang out with other people. This really gives them a fantastic way of developing social skills and increasing their potential later in life.
The second was to see a guy called Shaban there. Shaban is a shopkeeper in the town of Cuke. He has volunteered to help drive the children from Cuke on Saturday morning, for no more than petrol costs. Obviously - a taxi journey would cost over 5 pounds each way, but Shaban is dedicating his time for these children. It is defintaley a ray of sunshine in a world which I have come to realise is a very 'me me me' place.
1) Richard (left) and Shaban...
2) Sadike (i think thats how you spell it) coaching...
Volleyball is a very difficult game. We weren't playing the 3 touch rule, and a lot of the younger Cuke kids were given special treatment, being allowed to serve much closer to the net. But this was good training for them all, and it was great to see smiles on their faces when they scored points on the board (not that i dont think anyone was keeping count though!!).
1) Kristina and a girl from Sarande getting taught by Sadike the coach
2) Training in a group
3) About to serve - one of the Cuke youngsters
4) the girls mid-game...
5) Kristina hitting a return
6) The girls team (and enjoying their well deserved Sprite)
The football was great to watch, especially watching both Kristo and Jorgo. Kristo struggled a bit, hi touch letting him down a few times, and as a youngster he's evidently learning that life outside the Cuke camp will be a bit more difficult, and that its not all that easy to play against a full team. Jorgo on the other hand was in his eliment. He was a fantastic goalkeeper in the training part, and in the outfield he ran rings around the other boys, scoring 3 goals!!
1) Kristo in some 'pre-game tactics' with the Sarande town boys
2) Kristo (top right) with the boys...
3) One of the Sarande kids doing some practice drills
4) One of the orphanage children doing some keep-ups
5) Jorgo shoots and scores....
6) Jorgo showing off his dribbling skills
I would like to ask you to think about contributions to this work. Richard is funding most of the costs which is incurred for this training, and as readers of this blogsite, I am giving you the opportunity to contribute. I dont want you to feel under any pressure, but the more I spend time here, the more I realise that a little goes a long way. I would estimate the costs of this work being 10 pounds a week. Now - obviously - thats a large sum of money, but for 5 people to give 10 pounds a month, means that this project is fully funded for a month. That will include paying the petrol costs, a shaperone for the kids and of course the all important drink of Sprite at the end!! To think that David Beckham is on half a million pounds a week for his new team in the USA - it outrages me to think that a week of his wages would change this city upside down!!!
The boys football team...
Friday (12th of January)
As you know from previous posts, I am not a good early riser. I need at least 14 coffees until I wake, and then I would probably spend most of my time in the bathroom!! Early mornings and me just dont mix. It was a shock to the system therefore that I had to leave at 7:45 with Richard, to go to Borsh. Richard lived in Borsh for many years, before he eventually moved to Sarande.
Borsh is a very beautiful seaside town, situated about an hour north from Sarande. It was a very split town, made up of 7 little suburbs. You can see some of the suburbs from the pictures below. At the center of the town is a huge orchard, of apple, orange and olive trees. Borsh was one of the first places where the communists set up an orchard to be maintained by the people. For this, a lot of people were brought in from other places in Albania, causing a huge rift between the new arrivals and the old true Borsh residents. Richard told me how the rift still exists even now, 60 or 70 years later.
There's a few photos below. I took more, but these are the best ones. Apologies for the quality - they're not as good as they could have been, cos the light was very tricky (thanks to the pesky clouds) and I'm still mastering the art of photography with an SLR.
1) on the way, we stopped at a garage at the bottom of a little valley
2) a difference between the new and the old in the center of Borsh
3) an old car, just off the side of a cliff. Accidents happen!!
4) an ilusive horse, who wouldn't raise his head for me at all
5) a beautiful house on the side of the mountain
6) the mountains where the house was situated
As an aside, just around the river bend, they are now using this area as a rubbish dump. Can you believe the fact that anyone in their right mind could destroy such an amazing place by using it as a rubbish dump?? Albania has really revolted from the Communist era, when every Saturday was a clean up day, and everyone would go out to the streets and clean up rubbish. Now - they blindly throw their rubbish bins and bags EVERYWHERE.
7) old ruins at the bottom of the mountains
8) the tiles on the floor of the ruins
9) The orchard from ground level
10) The orchard (which is vast!!) from above.
We visited some people in Borsh. One woman in particular we visited lived in a little two room house in the most beautiful location I have EVER seen. Her name is Drita (which i think is translated - light), and her husband unfortunately killed himself a year or so ago. She looks after her 2 or 3 littelest children (the older 3 or 4 have since left) here also. Richard donates food and meat to her every month, and she was pleased to see us, but she was evidently upset and not doing to well without the husband. Please keep her in your prayers.
The views were incredible. Richard and I stopped for a little picnic here, just down the road from Dritas house, and was probably the best picnic I have ever had, just for the views! They had to be seen to be believed.
As you know from previous posts, I am not a good early riser. I need at least 14 coffees until I wake, and then I would probably spend most of my time in the bathroom!! Early mornings and me just dont mix. It was a shock to the system therefore that I had to leave at 7:45 with Richard, to go to Borsh. Richard lived in Borsh for many years, before he eventually moved to Sarande.
Borsh is a very beautiful seaside town, situated about an hour north from Sarande. It was a very split town, made up of 7 little suburbs. You can see some of the suburbs from the pictures below. At the center of the town is a huge orchard, of apple, orange and olive trees. Borsh was one of the first places where the communists set up an orchard to be maintained by the people. For this, a lot of people were brought in from other places in Albania, causing a huge rift between the new arrivals and the old true Borsh residents. Richard told me how the rift still exists even now, 60 or 70 years later.
There's a few photos below. I took more, but these are the best ones. Apologies for the quality - they're not as good as they could have been, cos the light was very tricky (thanks to the pesky clouds) and I'm still mastering the art of photography with an SLR.
1) on the way, we stopped at a garage at the bottom of a little valley
2) a difference between the new and the old in the center of Borsh
3) an old car, just off the side of a cliff. Accidents happen!!
4) an ilusive horse, who wouldn't raise his head for me at all
5) a beautiful house on the side of the mountain
6) the mountains where the house was situated
As an aside, just around the river bend, they are now using this area as a rubbish dump. Can you believe the fact that anyone in their right mind could destroy such an amazing place by using it as a rubbish dump?? Albania has really revolted from the Communist era, when every Saturday was a clean up day, and everyone would go out to the streets and clean up rubbish. Now - they blindly throw their rubbish bins and bags EVERYWHERE.
7) old ruins at the bottom of the mountains
8) the tiles on the floor of the ruins
9) The orchard from ground level
10) The orchard (which is vast!!) from above.
We visited some people in Borsh. One woman in particular we visited lived in a little two room house in the most beautiful location I have EVER seen. Her name is Drita (which i think is translated - light), and her husband unfortunately killed himself a year or so ago. She looks after her 2 or 3 littelest children (the older 3 or 4 have since left) here also. Richard donates food and meat to her every month, and she was pleased to see us, but she was evidently upset and not doing to well without the husband. Please keep her in your prayers.
The views were incredible. Richard and I stopped for a little picnic here, just down the road from Dritas house, and was probably the best picnic I have ever had, just for the views! They had to be seen to be believed.
Tuesday, January 09, 2007
Imagine life with no elecricity. None whatsoever. What would you miss...? Your TV? Your Microwave? Your brand new stereo, with surround sound? your computer?
Try missing the simpler things. Light. Heat. A kettle to have a cup of tea. You have absolutely no idea how lucky we are in the UK and in the Western world that we have electrcity on tap, and no restrictions or power cuts.
Yesterday, I sat in darkness for an hour and a half, with no heating in the house, and a cup of tea that went cold after 10 mins. God bless batteries, which meant my laptop still worked. But to be honest - I don't know what i would have done without it.... Sleep I guess.
You don't realise how dark it gets.... Its spooky!!
Above is a picture of the bay during a power cut. You can see that some of the buildings are lucky enough to have a generator, but these buildings are few and far between.
I'm not sure if I've mentioned it before, but Albania is currently in a state of crisis. They haven't had enough rain to be able to create Electricity of their own at the HydroElectricity plant which isn't far from Sarande. This now means that they have just spent an awful lot of money buying electricity from their "Neighbours" Greece. The Albanians and the Greeks are about as "neighbourly" as Joe Mangle and Harold Bishop!!! Not exactly the best of friends. How will the Albanian Government recoup their losses?? By charging the people double or treble the usual price!!
Try missing the simpler things. Light. Heat. A kettle to have a cup of tea. You have absolutely no idea how lucky we are in the UK and in the Western world that we have electrcity on tap, and no restrictions or power cuts.
Yesterday, I sat in darkness for an hour and a half, with no heating in the house, and a cup of tea that went cold after 10 mins. God bless batteries, which meant my laptop still worked. But to be honest - I don't know what i would have done without it.... Sleep I guess.
You don't realise how dark it gets.... Its spooky!!
Above is a picture of the bay during a power cut. You can see that some of the buildings are lucky enough to have a generator, but these buildings are few and far between.
I'm not sure if I've mentioned it before, but Albania is currently in a state of crisis. They haven't had enough rain to be able to create Electricity of their own at the HydroElectricity plant which isn't far from Sarande. This now means that they have just spent an awful lot of money buying electricity from their "Neighbours" Greece. The Albanians and the Greeks are about as "neighbourly" as Joe Mangle and Harold Bishop!!! Not exactly the best of friends. How will the Albanian Government recoup their losses?? By charging the people double or treble the usual price!!
Monday, January 08, 2007
I’m back. After my secret trip to the UK (which turned out not so secretive in the end) I‘m finding it very hard to adjust back to the routine of living here. I would much prefer to be enjoying being with my fiancé, and making plans for the wedding, but I’m back in Albania. Since arriving, I’ve found out that I’ve forgotten half the words I’d learnt last term. I also brought back some of M&S’s finest coffee. The coffee quality still hasn’t improved, and so I have now totally given up in finding a decent cup of coffee in this place. The only common cause is the water – must be the amount of limescale in it, cos my kettle is white!
I have had bad news regarding Iliar. His neighbours in the flat above have moved out, and have been replaced by a couple and their 20-year old son. This son is highly involved with the gangs of the area, and carries a gun. A couple of days ago, he came down to Iliar’s flat, whilst his parents were out, using the gun as a threat, stole the battery to Iliar’s buggy, and his brand new personal CD player which Richard (the missionary) had given to him as a present. Iliar’s parents are too scared to go to the police and so this man is still at large, and is still a menacing threat to Iliar and his family.
There were 27 kids (and one big kid - me) at the kids church this morning – including about 5 new kids. We also had a relatively full turn-out for Cuke church. This was a busy Saturday though, and I slept well that night.
What really made my day on Sunday was the fact that they were showing Cardiff City and Tottenham on TV here!!! I honestly never thought I would get the chance to watch the (not so) mighty Bluebirds whilst I was here. Who knows – they might even show the replay?! 0-0 was the final score, and I didn’t even miss anything during the power cut!
This week has the potential to be very busy…. I need to work out when I will start the computer lessons with Bimi’s foundation. This will probably involve teaching 4 or 5 lessons per course on the basics of the computer, including how to use Microsoft Word and the Internet.
I have had bad news regarding Iliar. His neighbours in the flat above have moved out, and have been replaced by a couple and their 20-year old son. This son is highly involved with the gangs of the area, and carries a gun. A couple of days ago, he came down to Iliar’s flat, whilst his parents were out, using the gun as a threat, stole the battery to Iliar’s buggy, and his brand new personal CD player which Richard (the missionary) had given to him as a present. Iliar’s parents are too scared to go to the police and so this man is still at large, and is still a menacing threat to Iliar and his family.
There were 27 kids (and one big kid - me) at the kids church this morning – including about 5 new kids. We also had a relatively full turn-out for Cuke church. This was a busy Saturday though, and I slept well that night.
What really made my day on Sunday was the fact that they were showing Cardiff City and Tottenham on TV here!!! I honestly never thought I would get the chance to watch the (not so) mighty Bluebirds whilst I was here. Who knows – they might even show the replay?! 0-0 was the final score, and I didn’t even miss anything during the power cut!
This week has the potential to be very busy…. I need to work out when I will start the computer lessons with Bimi’s foundation. This will probably involve teaching 4 or 5 lessons per course on the basics of the computer, including how to use Microsoft Word and the Internet.
Update you soon.
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