Experience Albania: Travel, Pictures, History, Culture

It previously covered my life in Albania, but now covers my present life in Minnesota.

Visit www.katherinesilus.com to see what I’m up to these days.

Visit the site you’re currently viewing, www.albania.katherinesilus.com to look back over my documentation of life in Albania. Thank you for following my journeys!

Shiko - jam prap ne Amerik e po gatuaj ushimi Shqiptar!

Kam gatuar shume pic me kulac ne Shqiperi, e mendoj qe une kam gatuar keta pic shume mire.
Kete pic eshte ne soben e mamis.

Ku ke ikur gjuhe Shqip e mia? Mendoj qe kam qene larg per vetem dy jave edhe jam shume keq.

Nuk do te haroj gatimi Shqipar.
Experiment tjeter eshte byrek. Pastaj shpecka te mbushur.

Do beje fotografi!

Gjithe te mirat,
Keti

That would be me in the bottom left corner.
It was my last night out in Berat. We walked by this bar, heard ‘the music,’ seized the moment and went on in. We danced, we laughed, we were egged on to stay continue dancing.

I already miss the clarinet and synthesizer that is so ever-present in Albanian music. Not to mention the randomness of walking in on various celebrations and being welcomed with open arms as the foreign guests.

Perhaps this is what I keep thinking I’ll find … but this menu is from a cafe in Tirane. Albanian in Albania makes sense. I’ll keep my hopes up on a restaurant/cafe opening up in the Minneapolis/St. Paul area in the near future. Could be a great nitch for someone! Maybe me? Some day?

This photo makes me laugh out loud every time. 
Linitza is the secretary at my high school.
She got a kick out of me telling her and the other woman that they are ‘nusja te rejas’ (young brides) and shouldn’t be shy about me taking their photo.

How to become highly skilled at feeling good:
1. Be constantly taking notes about what experiences give you delight and what situations make you feel at home in the world.
2. Always be scheming to provide yourself with those experiences and situations.
3. Take a vow that nothing will obstruct you from seeking out and creating pleasure, peace, love, wonder and an intimate connection with life.

Keeping a journal certainly isn’t for everyone, but it’s amazing what happens (clarity gained, goals achieved, changes made) when you write down how you feel, what you want and how you want things to be.

No matter where you are, it seems that young kids all have similar drawing styles. ‘Shume bukur’ means ‘very beautiful.’

Most volunteers have one … a cupboard or a drawer that holds treats sent from home. Amazing how exciting marshmallows, peanut butter, and other American delicacies can be when they aren’t at your disposal. We made s’mores using these marshmallows, graham crackers (also in Julie’s treat cupboard) and some Turkish chocolate that we bought in a little store. Our heat source? Julie’s gas heater!

I spent some of last weekend in Divjake, a coastal town. We woke up on Saturday to warmer temperatures and clear skies. A walk to the beach was in order, which involved getting a ride from a border/immigration officer and an espresso in the sun.