Experience Albania: Travel, Pictures, History, Culture

It’s the best feeling in the world, being in a real family’s house, when you’re far from your own. While it may give you a pain of homesickness at first, you quickly turn your focus to enjoying good people and the atmosphere that goes along with have a meal and spending an afternoon with a family.
James and I were invited over for Sunday lunch last weekend. Vali, her husband, and two young children are some of my very favorites here in Berat. Vali works as an engineer at the bashkia (where James works) and I got to know her well when she became a regular at my English Club this summer. She has such a great family - I felt like I was at home for the entire 4 hours that we stayed.

James with Sarah and Sami and the cat:

Sami, Katie, James, and Sarah - we had many photo shoots throughout the afternoon, but this was one of the better turn outs:

Vali and me:

Shots with the family:

Albanians are masters at welcoming people into their homes. And their heartfelt comment when you leave is “Please come to my house every time you please.” I hope to harbor such a welcoming disposition when I return to the US. They are sincere and hospitable in ways I’ve never known before.

Artwork of Berat in their home:

This is a wood carving: