tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-41651216821085284922024-03-24T23:09:22.415-07:00Happenings in Albania~~~God's "surprises" that make me smile and encourage my heart...Kathy Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03395074277469941083noreply@blogger.comBlogger99125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4165121682108528492.post-85315410831660106982022-01-31T23:53:00.000-08:002022-01-31T23:53:13.641-08:00My new "view" ...<p> A week ago I moved to my new apartment in Fier, Albania. I have been richly blessed by amazing sunsets from my bedroom window. Last night, my bedroom was filled with the colors of this sunset.</p><p>It makes me heart smile...❤</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgp4fLDxLVHMqbuSln7lJtTtCD6MWeLY889Nt1mm6mS6CC4LL5PcdcJzQIJ_IUEfYd0MU5P09pNOyngBXLWtT-ZezThGfbvRxVnG7IGlOJ_DDQ6PCCi7qb2X_0vsOJT52bI8BZh9bb3J8KXia-qa1MdEOaZxs9FEwOPze_qaIjyg85Z2aJKmhpS5ws6=s3761" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1823" data-original-width="3761" height="155" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgp4fLDxLVHMqbuSln7lJtTtCD6MWeLY889Nt1mm6mS6CC4LL5PcdcJzQIJ_IUEfYd0MU5P09pNOyngBXLWtT-ZezThGfbvRxVnG7IGlOJ_DDQ6PCCi7qb2X_0vsOJT52bI8BZh9bb3J8KXia-qa1MdEOaZxs9FEwOPze_qaIjyg85Z2aJKmhpS5ws6=w320-h155" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>I didn't have any view of the sunset in my apartment in Tirana, only a reflection of the colors on the taller buildings. </p><p>A precious gift from GOD each evening...! </p>Kathy Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03395074277469941083noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4165121682108528492.post-19960578883572013712021-11-01T03:03:00.000-07:002021-11-01T03:03:40.910-07:00<p> <span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><i>A new market opened in my neighborhood, thought I would go see what products they have that are my favorites. I found a few cleaning items that I needed. As I was checking out, one of the clerks said to me, "madam, do you smoke?" I said what? "no I don't smoke, why are you asking me?" She replied, "we have a special on Kent cigarettes for women". I asked her..."why don't you promote healthy yogurt to all customers and not cigarettes?" She replied, "this is what they told me to ask each woman that comes in the store." </i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><i>In this day and age...promoting cigarettes on sale to "women"...??? Promoting cigarettes on sale to anyone...??? </i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><i></i></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><i><img alt="" data-original-height="183" data-original-width="275" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrQSu-UVxOgYvGjxWkHeLn_7KedP93OEsulR95l_qdzGcHsJ0VVGFQZDeE1id7ll086xiDH8RR5b87yO9CJ3yIhx0pzsxNXqFyMOtmdapiV92brzqQuWg8uwsKEZrGGVV-MWJGny-wAMg/w225-h150/image.png" width="225" /></i></span></div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><i><br /><br /></i></span><p></p>Kathy Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03395074277469941083noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4165121682108528492.post-32763524811302975592021-09-06T02:30:00.000-07:002021-09-06T02:30:09.184-07:00A new idea for Albanian "Dog Walkers"....<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6S1OpLgLDBO9wYsZNbREj9BfUk4LSZIeeuhZPEZU0LWbGYnfxJ0of3jQ4SQ-XOK66Lo0OU8kLOQth9fX5scveGef-cV1L5O-WP4Gv-H_2HP9PFw7gB-DwqaB3XactPSmXdRMT0cjDVVs/s2048/20210816_124535+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: right;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1740" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6S1OpLgLDBO9wYsZNbREj9BfUk4LSZIeeuhZPEZU0LWbGYnfxJ0of3jQ4SQ-XOK66Lo0OU8kLOQth9fX5scveGef-cV1L5O-WP4Gv-H_2HP9PFw7gB-DwqaB3XactPSmXdRMT0cjDVVs/w304-h358/20210816_124535+%25281%2529.jpg" width="304" /></a></div><p></p><pre class="tw-data-text tw-text-large XcVN5d tw-ta" data-placeholder="Translation" dir="ltr" id="tw-target-text" style="background-color: #f8f9fa; border: none; color: #202124; font-family: inherit; font-size: 28px; line-height: 36px; margin-bottom: -2px; margin-top: -2px; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 2px 0.14em 2px 0px; position: relative; resize: none; unicode-bidi: isolate; white-space: pre-wrap; width: 270.035px;"><span class="Y2IQFc" lang="en">Are you a sausage too?
<br /></span></pre><pre class="tw-data-text tw-text-large XcVN5d tw-ta" data-placeholder="Translation" dir="ltr" id="tw-target-text" style="background-color: #f8f9fa; border: none; color: #202124; font-family: inherit; font-size: 28px; line-height: 36px; margin-bottom: -2px; margin-top: -2px; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 2px 0.14em 2px 0px; position: relative; resize: none; unicode-bidi: isolate; white-space: pre-wrap; width: 270.035px;"><span class="Y2IQFc" lang="en">Pick up a bag for "cackles" otherwise there is a fine of 50 euros or more...</span></pre><pre class="tw-data-text tw-text-large XcVN5d tw-ta" data-placeholder="Translation" dir="ltr" id="tw-target-text" style="background-color: #f8f9fa; border: none; color: #202124; font-family: inherit; font-size: 28px; line-height: 36px; margin-bottom: -2px; margin-top: -2px; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 2px 0.14em 2px 0px; position: relative; resize: none; unicode-bidi: isolate; white-space: pre-wrap; width: 270.035px;"><span class="Y2IQFc" lang="en">You have it in your hand. </span></pre><pre class="tw-data-text tw-text-large XcVN5d tw-ta" data-placeholder="Translation" dir="ltr" id="tw-target-text" style="background-color: #f8f9fa; border: none; color: #202124; font-family: inherit; font-size: 28px; line-height: 36px; margin-bottom: -2px; margin-top: -2px; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 2px 0.14em 2px 0px; position: relative; resize: none; unicode-bidi: isolate; white-space: pre-wrap; width: 270.035px;"><span class="Y2IQFc" lang="en"><br /></span></pre><pre class="tw-data-text tw-text-large XcVN5d tw-ta" data-placeholder="Translation" id="tw-target-text" style="background-color: #f8f9fa; border: none; color: #202124; font-family: inherit; font-size: 28px; line-height: 36px; margin-bottom: -2px; margin-top: -2px; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 2px 0.14em 2px 0px; position: relative; resize: none; text-align: left; unicode-bidi: isolate; white-space: pre-wrap; width: 270.035px;"><span class="Y2IQFc" lang="en">Don't mess up.<span style="background-color: transparent;"> </span>
</span></pre><pre class="tw-data-text tw-text-large XcVN5d tw-ta" data-placeholder="Translation" id="tw-target-text" style="background-color: #f8f9fa; border: none; color: #202124; font-family: inherit; line-height: 36px; margin-bottom: -2px; margin-top: -2px; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 2px 0.14em 2px 0px; position: relative; resize: none; text-align: left; unicode-bidi: isolate; white-space: pre-wrap; width: 270.035px;">(These signs were in many public areas in Vienna, and no "cackles" on the sidewalks) </pre>Kathy Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03395074277469941083noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4165121682108528492.post-51783539169425656132021-05-25T01:41:00.000-07:002021-05-25T01:41:06.523-07:00Building Art, Words of Wisdom<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUxNoR2lthhX-Is1xPPxwbPwluVdt5pfTm4icKM-kOAwp74YxKOMMh8wgHYeIiHbMPWJHeTkvQBOiYo4fvumRsmXE97LqPZw_ZHLltknIZ2O956jVadpK_KFJLRguCFLEbHjbQ2Ye7cuQ/s1748/20210516_125943.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1748" data-original-width="867" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUxNoR2lthhX-Is1xPPxwbPwluVdt5pfTm4icKM-kOAwp74YxKOMMh8wgHYeIiHbMPWJHeTkvQBOiYo4fvumRsmXE97LqPZw_ZHLltknIZ2O956jVadpK_KFJLRguCFLEbHjbQ2Ye7cuQ/s320/20210516_125943.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <span style="background-color: #f8f9fa; color: #202124; font-family: inherit; font-size: 28px; text-align: left; white-space: pre-wrap;">The world is changing fast, </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: #f8f9fa; color: #202124; font-family: inherit; font-size: 28px; text-align: left; white-space: pre-wrap;">some things will never change...</span> </div><p></p><p><br /> </p>Kathy Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03395074277469941083noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4165121682108528492.post-63865659044429005672021-04-28T03:04:00.004-07:002021-04-28T03:04:55.629-07:00Shushunja në një kavonoz <blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2NoN60QZXyGQ4oD7OC6b18yI9rLUxdN6dbCf65OGmevVVSEOz3MgqU7JZDh3LV5981JEgmXnF0ybYAvVliLdXZqroCTJwAhYRvDMvcxBnC9P5oRUACfLlt_Wg1-YZqZ0nUVajS04zcPA/s2048/20210428_112640.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1954" height="237" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2NoN60QZXyGQ4oD7OC6b18yI9rLUxdN6dbCf65OGmevVVSEOz3MgqU7JZDh3LV5981JEgmXnF0ybYAvVliLdXZqroCTJwAhYRvDMvcxBnC9P5oRUACfLlt_Wg1-YZqZ0nUVajS04zcPA/w226-h237/20210428_112640.jpg" width="226" /></a></div><p></p></blockquote></blockquote></blockquote><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><b> (Leeches in a jar)</b></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b>Only</b></span> <b style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">2 euros a piece...</b></p><p style="text-align: left;"><b style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">( about $2.50) </b></p><p style="text-align: left;"><b style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">I didn't ask how I would get one of those things home...he was very proud, just selling them on the street. YIKES.... </b></p>Kathy Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03395074277469941083noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4165121682108528492.post-35931415269654709832020-12-31T02:22:00.003-08:002020-12-31T02:28:39.206-08:00Traffic in Tirana...<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://images.all-free-download.com/images/graphiclarge/fireworks_310881.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="408" data-original-width="600" height="208" src="https://images.all-free-download.com/images/graphiclarge/fireworks_310881.jpg" width="306" /></a></div><br /></div><br /> Each week I travel 126 km, 79 miles, for ministry in a small health center in Patos, Albania. I have been driving this route since Sept, so have it down to 2 hours. <p></p><p>Yesterday, as I arrived on the outskirts of Tirana...TRAFFIC...like what happened??? </p><p>There is a major shopping center just as I come into Tirana off of the highway. It took me 1.5 hours to travel from that area to my apartment, 26 km, 8 miles, away. Heavy rains started when I was about 5 min from home, like flooding rains and insane thunder/lightening, so I was thankful I was close to home. My left knee/quads were killing me by the time I got home and had to climb two flights of stairs...standard cars and TRAFFIC...!!! </p><p>The only explanation I could figure out for the difference...everyone was out shopping before New Year's Eve/ New Year's Day celebrations, which are the most important holiday in this culture. </p><p>The fireworks last for hours, and is all "private" Albanians blowing up the skies.</p><p>Here is a video from 4 years ago...turn your volume up to get the whole experience...! </p><p><a class="style-scope ytcp-video-info" href="https://youtu.be/7cJdDxUsbGU" style="background-color: #f4f4f4; font-family: Roboto, Noto, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; text-decoration-line: none; white-space: nowrap;" target="_blank">https://youtu.be/7cJdDxUsbGU</a></p><p>Gëzuar Vitin i Ri</p><p>Happy New Year </p>Kathy Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03395074277469941083noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4165121682108528492.post-36873262308982316582020-09-21T08:41:00.000-07:002020-09-21T08:41:45.658-07:00Half the onion--Please...<p> While traveling for ministry to a new area of Albania our group was referred to a local restaurant for lunch before we traveled 2 hours back to Tirana. Our first visit...the "Greek Salad", was loaded with onions. One of my team doesn't like onions...and to ride back to Tirana after eating all those onions....??? (We discreetly moved all the onions to the side of the plate)</p><p>So, the next trip, I thought I would be brave and ask for half the onions on the Greek Salad, in Albanian of course. </p><p>The waiter brought the same Greek Salad as the time before, and a small plate with an additional 1/2 raw onion on it. </p><p>After we composed ourselves from laughing at what I had said...we let the waiter know that he could take the plate with the 1/2 onion on it back to the kitchen, that I had made a mistake.</p><p>Now...when we go there for lunch...only a very small amount of onion appears on the Greek Salad. One of my Albanian team members, makes the request when we order... so we don't get another chunk of raw onion. </p><p><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQRgRLt6QYcZvERG5qZFZLUfzJ6yXyiMVRWUAHFxLpwjubwW704ZES4oLhOJ5J1S-Gvt7NIu6nA4TxnmdS-NFIZHo9Hvxv2IDklht49GbgZnxM0DNZK3Ds5iZIUtC8LnRtePwE3NRYHo8/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="187" data-original-width="270" height="222" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQRgRLt6QYcZvERG5qZFZLUfzJ6yXyiMVRWUAHFxLpwjubwW704ZES4oLhOJ5J1S-Gvt7NIu6nA4TxnmdS-NFIZHo9Hvxv2IDklht49GbgZnxM0DNZK3Ds5iZIUtC8LnRtePwE3NRYHo8/" width="320" /></a></div><br /><br /><p></p>Kathy Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03395074277469941083noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4165121682108528492.post-7083348333059712582020-07-19T02:10:00.002-07:002020-07-19T02:10:32.884-07:00Car Diagnostic/Repair adventure<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<img height="200" src="https://www.exploratorium.edu/listen/layout_images/royalblue_lisa/lisa_bone_conduction.jpg" width="116" /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">My little Toyota Yaris is 17 years old...and still gets 45+mpg. I take good care of it with regular oil changes, new tires, inspections...it is so dependable. It does have it's share of bumps and bruises...! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I need a dependable car here...driving to other areas of Albania, usually with a student or other PT with me. There is no such thing a "AAA road side assistance", unless a local stops to help you. </span><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Recently, there started to be this high pitched "whine" coming from the engine when pushing down on the accelerator. I was still able to drive to my home visit, no issue with power or anything else...just this new "noise".</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">I have a mechanic that has helped me greatly with my A/C, and most importantly, he explains things slowly in Albanian so I understand. He is patient with me being a woman, dealing with "manly" car issues.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">So...I contacted him about this new noise. This really made me smile...! One guy was in the car pushing on the accelerator, and the other guy had a rusty pipe to his ear...checking different areas of the engine. After a few minutes...he declared the A/C compressor is bad and needs replaced. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Then, the owner told me how much it would cost. I said 20,000lek or more (about $200), he said much more, 50,000lek. (about $500). YIKES...!!! I got out my little notebook to write things on for better understanding when "language" is not working. He started laughing...he was talking "old lek"...5,000, or $50...!!! I was using "new lek". (See previous post about currency confusion) </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">A few days later, I took my car in to be worked on, the final price...for 4-5 hours of work and a replacement compressor....$55. I gave him and the other worker a nice tip...because they take very good care of me...and there is no high pitched whine coming from my car...!!! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Life here in the Balkans, always an adventure...and challenging! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span>Kathy Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03395074277469941083noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4165121682108528492.post-52385256007300034092020-05-01T01:21:00.000-07:002020-05-01T01:21:05.237-07:00<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #990000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Is it speeding...</i></b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #990000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>when you pass two police officers...</i></b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #990000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>WALKING???</i></b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #990000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-large;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></div>
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Kathy Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03395074277469941083noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4165121682108528492.post-76361763232508919142020-03-19T01:46:00.000-07:002020-03-19T01:46:44.331-07:00Just some thoughts....We are all facing the challenges of Covid-19, across the globe.<br />
<br />
I was out briefly this morning...and wanted to share some things that did make me smile, and think a little more about the world I live in....<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li><b>Tirana is under strict curfew, we can only be out of our homes from 6am-10am, 4pm-6pm.</b> (Police and/or military enforced)</li>
<li>The shoe shine guy was out...and people with masks on, were getting their shoes polished.</li>
<li><u>Albania is a very social culture...</u></li>
<ul>
<li>having "coffee" is a way of life, long before Starbucks. (addiction really)</li>
<li>People are not allowed to walk together</li>
<ul>
<li>even on normal days...young girls walk arm in arm as best friends</li>
<li>I did spot a young couple...holding hands. (no police or military were around)</li>
</ul>
<li>It is the culture...to stop and speak with your friends, that is still happening, but a distance that is not natural for them is maintained...as they speak...they seem to get closer. (If you don't speak with friends or people you may know...you are rude)</li>
<li>In order to stay connected...people are speaking to each other from their apartment balconies. </li>
<ul>
<li>I have heard music and singing at times, can't quite figure out where is it coming from...but it is a nice change to the day.</li>
</ul>
</ul>
<li>Watch out for the "BICYCLES"...!!!</li>
<ul>
<li>Driving, cars or mopeds, is not allowed...at all...</li>
<li>So...everyone has dusted off their bicycles</li>
<ul>
<li>The bike repair places were doing much business, against the rules of closure, to repair old bikes, new tires, adjusting chains etc.</li>
<li>Why does someone riding a bicycle need a mask...???</li>
</ul>
<li>I think the bicycle riders are less safe than the cars...from a pedestrian perspective</li>
</ul>
<li>Only one person in the store, bank, bakery, pharmacy...at a time. </li>
<ul>
<li>So...there is a crowd standing outside waiting...trying to keep "distance" but not lose their place in line.</li>
<li>Hoarding does not exist...! </li>
<ul>
<li>I think it wouldn't exist in the US if they had to carry it all home in their hands...walking...!?</li>
</ul>
</ul>
<li>Our air smells so good...! and fresh. After a rain the other day...wow...what a difference with no car emissions...! </li>
</ul>
~~~<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">So...from this side of the pond...</span></b></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Find something that makes you smile...</span></b></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">and let it bless your spirit, </span></b></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">like the warmth of the spring sunshine...</span></b></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">be blessed. </span></b></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />Kathy Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03395074277469941083noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4165121682108528492.post-61129968987179599492020-03-12T09:09:00.000-07:002020-03-12T09:09:47.034-07:00Toilet paper shortage, Really...???<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><i>On this side of the pond...it is baffling to me, and so many Albanians...that the toilet paper supply is exhausted...in the US, as well as in the UK.</i></b></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAnKx9q3IRMnymEmPt8aQ5FYbDSrvMGDqp_3hjqFq4v-yGkSidLOSN3vM07VdOMgRyO50sclysbLsn4YM_Jr7ck7LEm8H1e6nv3jUxe0FhVRdh5IwKv-4Cucp0f1sfJO42_e9J9OLepdk/s1600/20200312_113047.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1154" data-original-width="1600" height="286" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAnKx9q3IRMnymEmPt8aQ5FYbDSrvMGDqp_3hjqFq4v-yGkSidLOSN3vM07VdOMgRyO50sclysbLsn4YM_Jr7ck7LEm8H1e6nv3jUxe0FhVRdh5IwKv-4Cucp0f1sfJO42_e9J9OLepdk/s400/20200312_113047.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAnKx9q3IRMnymEmPt8aQ5FYbDSrvMGDqp_3hjqFq4v-yGkSidLOSN3vM07VdOMgRyO50sclysbLsn4YM_Jr7ck7LEm8H1e6nv3jUxe0FhVRdh5IwKv-4Cucp0f1sfJO42_e9J9OLepdk/s1600/20200312_113047.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><i>This little store near my house...</i></b></span></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAnKx9q3IRMnymEmPt8aQ5FYbDSrvMGDqp_3hjqFq4v-yGkSidLOSN3vM07VdOMgRyO50sclysbLsn4YM_Jr7ck7LEm8H1e6nv3jUxe0FhVRdh5IwKv-4Cucp0f1sfJO42_e9J9OLepdk/s1600/20200312_113047.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: right;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><i>has plenty...! </i></b></span></a></div>
<div>
<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAnKx9q3IRMnymEmPt8aQ5FYbDSrvMGDqp_3hjqFq4v-yGkSidLOSN3vM07VdOMgRyO50sclysbLsn4YM_Jr7ck7LEm8H1e6nv3jUxe0FhVRdh5IwKv-4Cucp0f1sfJO42_e9J9OLepdk/s1600/20200312_113047.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br />
<br />Kathy Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03395074277469941083noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4165121682108528492.post-78451730916528338592020-01-28T22:43:00.001-08:002020-01-28T22:43:41.636-08:00Still "Rockin"...in AlbaniaLast night...9:15pm....another earthquake...<b>5.1 magnitude.</b><br />
1...about 16km from Durres (where most of the worst took place on November 26)<br />
There was a short 4.1 shake a few minutes later.<br />
<br />
I was not quite asleep...but felt God's protection as slept well the rest of the night. <br />
<br />
<b>NO...this doesn't make me laugh</b>...I have recently met people whose lives were devastated in November...and still have no place to live.<br />
<br />
It is quite an interesting thing...to suddenly find myself living in an earthquake zone. That is a first for me.<br />
<br />
Pray for our nation...for our people...!Kathy Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03395074277469941083noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4165121682108528492.post-43299896723173490802020-01-22T23:56:00.000-08:002020-01-22T23:56:16.711-08:00Postal service....<br />
<div style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;">
<img alt="Image result for us postal service motto" src="data:image/jpeg;base64,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" /></div>
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The next time you think about the quality and speed of the US Postal service, consider the Postal services in Albania.<br />
I returned a defective cell phone to Amazon, at the main post office here in Tirana. I did obtain a "tracking number" for verification to Amazon that I did in fact return the cell phone. I did the postal transaction the morning of Jan 20.<br />
Today is Jan 23, and according to "tracking" my package has now been put into a transport bag in Tirana. It has taken them 3 days to put it into a transport bag...no wonder it take 4-6 weeks for letters and packages to get to the US...if they get there at all.<br />
<br />
No...we don't have reasonable access to FedEx or DHL...well we can use the services, but it is not worth paying more money to ship with them than the item is worth.<br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 16px;"><i><b><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">"Neither Rain, Nor Sleet, Nor Dark Of Night Shall Stay These Couriers From The Swift Completion Of Their Appointed Rounds."</span></b></i></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 16px;"><i><b><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></b></i></span>Kathy Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03395074277469941083noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4165121682108528492.post-4262823592378301872019-12-09T03:04:00.001-08:002019-12-09T03:04:13.094-08:00Airlines customer service....<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img alt="Image result for airplane drawing" src="https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSNZZZOuglIPnbhddcvz5Rcy2bW5CqlIPI4nzmvANLpnkHNVTbgPQ&s" /></div>
<br />
In preparation for my return flights to Albania last week, I decided to check to be sure there weren't any "unexpected changes" in the flight schedule.<br />
<br />
YIKES....!<br />
<br />
I was booked on an Alaska Airlines flight that no longer existed from Abq to San Francisco. Well, it had an additional stop in Lax, which would put me in San Francisco airport 10 minutes after time my Turkish airlines flight was leaving. After 5 hours, 5 calls to Turkish airlines, and 4 calls to Alaska airlines, a customer service rep for Turkish airlines told me the following:<br />
<i>"have a friend of yours in LA go to the Turkish airlines office there and they can get the problem resolved quickly."</i> My response...<i><b>"WHAT...??? I don't have any friends in LA!" </b></i><br />
<br />
After telling this rep, "if I was your mother....what would you tell her to do?"<br />
Then...he provided an email address to the SFO for Turkish airlines. A very nice young man, with real customer service skills, got me booked on a different route, still 'exit row' seating which I had paid for initially, and very short layovers, in like 15 minutes...!!! (why did it take me 5 hours to get that email...? unknown)<br />
<br />
I am back in Albania...so very thankful that 2 days before I was to travel...I checked my flights, again! ✈Kathy Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03395074277469941083noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4165121682108528492.post-26476246012115165362019-10-06T13:48:00.001-07:002019-10-06T13:48:09.031-07:00Laughing at Myself...in Albuquerque<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAKh3hDuz9vTdwtgJbzzPwennEwZmlNt-aBNykZKFE9Pwm5sz2aGhG5lOJDqp0ozk6jkw_3DbVgOs4Pp1NzdfLY4UQlPbSLadV17hTfzY-NZPp0t9RjV-zkoOc2jPRJ9Zoz1gaR00qEPg/s1600/IMG_20191006_142619.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1011" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAKh3hDuz9vTdwtgJbzzPwennEwZmlNt-aBNykZKFE9Pwm5sz2aGhG5lOJDqp0ozk6jkw_3DbVgOs4Pp1NzdfLY4UQlPbSLadV17hTfzY-NZPp0t9RjV-zkoOc2jPRJ9Zoz1gaR00qEPg/s320/IMG_20191006_142619.jpg" width="202" /></a></div>
<i><span style="color: #20124d; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><b style="background-color: white;">I am staying in a lovely home in Albuquerque. One morning it was especially dark as I was sitting outside awaiting the sunrise. I decided to light two small candles...but not matter how hard I tried...they would not stay lit. </b></span></i><br />
<i><span style="color: #20124d; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><b style="background-color: white;"><br /></b></span></i>
<i><span style="color: #20124d; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><b style="background-color: white;">The owner graciously explained to me that these two candles were actually "battery powered" candles. </b></span></i><br />
<i><span style="color: #20124d; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><b style="background-color: white;"><br /></b></span></i>
<i><span style="color: #20124d; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><b style="background-color: white;">Wow...have I been away a long time...!</b></span></i><br />
<i><span style="color: #20124d; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><b style="background-color: white;"><br /></b></span></i>
<i><span style="color: #20124d; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><b style="background-color: white;">Yes...I did replace the two "battery" candles...! </b></span></i><br />
<br />
😊Kathy Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03395074277469941083noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4165121682108528492.post-42243800471399827132019-09-21T22:55:00.000-07:002019-09-21T22:55:18.047-07:005.6 Earthquake in Tirana<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Vehicles are crushed as emergency services workers clear the ruins of a collapsed building roof in Tirana, Albania, after an earthquake." height="179" src="https://cdn.cnn.com/cnnnext/dam/assets/190921145143-01-albania-earthquake-0921-exlarge-169.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This doesn't really make me smile, but afterwards, all the streets were filled with "neighbors" checking on everyone. It became a social event. I have never been in something like this before...well I have felt some "shaking" in the past. This "shaking" knocked books off of my bookcase, toppled all my photos, and knocke over a new bottle of olive oil (yes, the lid was still on). Always an adventure...!!!</td></tr>
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Kathy Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03395074277469941083noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4165121682108528492.post-39023920381995194442019-07-26T03:23:00.002-07:002019-07-26T03:23:39.277-07:00Try me...!!!<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYQjtiLh6qSSq4VV4DrT_3PIamfn-3NxCJ9U62w0rcI7FaqfWbCO1yCRCQfjSLjzEtRkJtWAe4zKO_bHYJVPY2MI3hT0oQNtRTnvL_yBqvGi1hpFcX2Ovin2ryQXih3qEgy9xpV9pmpvg/s1600/IMG_20190726_115016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1116" data-original-width="856" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYQjtiLh6qSSq4VV4DrT_3PIamfn-3NxCJ9U62w0rcI7FaqfWbCO1yCRCQfjSLjzEtRkJtWAe4zKO_bHYJVPY2MI3hT0oQNtRTnvL_yBqvGi1hpFcX2Ovin2ryQXih3qEgy9xpV9pmpvg/s400/IMG_20190726_115016.jpg" width="306" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><h2 style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
Me Provo...! In Albanian means "try me", which is a way to sample watermelon before you buy it. A common practice with all fresh summertime fruit in the open markets...</h2>
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<h2 style="text-align: center;">
<span style="text-align: left;"> ...but with Bees...???</span></h2>
Kathy Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03395074277469941083noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4165121682108528492.post-60020298905889133652019-07-21T04:29:00.003-07:002019-07-21T04:29:10.494-07:00Where are you from?<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b><i>I recently traveled to Macedonia, to get some rest and spend some time in much cooler weather. (Tirana was averaging 96 degrees, 50% humidity, lows of 80 at night)</i></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b><i>Whenever I travel, I am asked..."Where are you from?"</i></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b><i>(Single, older women do not travel alone in this part of the world)</i></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b><i>This trip made me laugh several times...</i></b></span><br />
<br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b><i>One lady said I was "Italian" </i></b></span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b><i>I told her I was from Albania, she continued to speak Italian to me...? </i></b></span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b><i>The hotel owner where I was staying, said I was "German"</i></b></span></li>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b><i>Well....I do have some German heritage on my dad's side of the family.</i></b></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b><i>Here I am in Macedonia...and they speak German to me?</i></b></span></li>
</ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b><i>One server asked me if I was from "Poland"... </i></b></span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b><i>The weather was cold, rainy, high of 60 and winds.</i></b></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b><i>I was in a light t-shirt, capri pants, and sandals</i></b></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b><i>Everyone else was in long pants, sweaters and coats!</i></b></span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b><i>One man asked me if I was from "Australia"</i></b></span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b><i>maybe because of the hat I was wearing?</i></b></span></li>
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<b style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-large;"><i>~~~</i></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b><i>I guess after 11 years of living in the Balkans, Kosova and Albania, I no longer look "American"...??? </i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b><i>But... when I tell people that I am "American"...they don't believe me. </i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b><i>I am thankful that "hand gestures" and pointing work well for communication...! ;-)</i></b></span></div>
Kathy Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03395074277469941083noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4165121682108528492.post-59530849215991235572019-07-12T21:55:00.000-07:002019-07-12T21:55:18.381-07:00Going how FAST...???<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<img alt="Image result for photo albanian police" height="179" src="https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRnEpSV_MjxesjBhdqWQKwwIEm98SF2Zw3PxHgTtrN_mdNbBH6a" width="320" /></div>
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Last Wednesday, Edisa my physical therapy intern, and I were returning from our weekly trip to see the babies in Elbasan. I have driven that road many times in the last 6 years. There is a newly completed highway, really nice. I was near Tirana, just coming down from a rise in the highway.</div>
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Yes...I got waved over by a "camera/speed trap". Really...???</div>
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Edisa was upset that I still had a piece of pizza in my hand and that I would get a ticket for driving while eating. ok...so we hid the pizza. </div>
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When the officer came to the window, I said hello, said good day, and asked him how he was...in Albanian. (this is customary with everyone here, so I did it with the police officer) He asked me in Albanian if I knew how fast I was going? The posted speed is 90kph (55mph). Then he asked me where I was from, Edisa and I both told him that I was American. Then he started speaking "Italian" to me. In Italian he told me that I was going 125kph (77mph). "uno, due, cinque"</div>
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I said, "ok". I didn't argue...just said "Ok..." (what do you want to do?)</div>
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Then in Italian still, he told me to drive slower to be safe, and follow the posted signs. </div>
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He did not ask me for any documents.</div>
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(later I discovered that my car insurance was expired by about a week...YIKES!, that would not have been good for him to see that)</div>
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Later I learned from a friend who just got her driver's license...any speed over 110kph, results in automatically taking away the driving license. YIKES! (I am leaving on Monday for a rest in Macedonia...driving)</div>
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I normally travel the speed limit. Often, Mercedes or BMW vehicles pass me like I am standing still. I drive a 15 year old Toyota Yaris...if I wasn't going down hill...could I get it going that fast...???</div>
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Grace...and Mercy...and favor because I am an American. Thank you Lord...! </div>
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Yes, I have renewed my car insurance.</div>
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Yes, it is illegal to eat while driving. </div>
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Yes, I will be more aware of the posted speeds. The roads are normally so bad, who would want to go that fast...but this is a very nice, new highway.</div>
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There is much laughter from my Albanian friends when they hear this story...especially that the police officer started speaking Italian to me when he heard I was American. </div>
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life in Albania...always an adventure! 😃</div>
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Kathy Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03395074277469941083noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4165121682108528492.post-54295008663033428942019-04-30T09:55:00.000-07:002019-04-30T09:55:36.263-07:00<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: purple; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><b><i style="background-color: white;">Easter in Albania~~~ Twice</i></b></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>Good Friday, April 19</i></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: purple; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white;"><i>Holy Saturday, April 20</i></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: purple; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white;"><i>Easter Sunday, April 21</i></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: purple; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white;"><i>Easter Monday, April 22</i></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: purple; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white;"><i><b>~~~or~~~</b></i></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: purple; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white;"><i>Good Friday, April 26</i></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: purple; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white;"><i>Holy Saturday, April 27</i></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: purple; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white;"><i>Easter Sunday, April 28</i></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: purple; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white;"><i>Easter Monday, April 29</i></span></span></div>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i><b>So...</b></i></span></span><br />
<br />
<ul>
<li><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"> According to the Gregorian calendar, the Catholic and Protestant churches celebrate Easter on April 22. </span></i></span></span></li>
<li><i style="background-color: white; color: purple; font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">According to the Julian calendar, the Orthodox church celebrates Easter a week later. </span></i></li>
</ul>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>The thing that makes me smile...is that Easter Monday's are a "national holiday" and banks, etc are closed. For a nation that was declared "the only atheist nation in the world", from 1944 until 1990, and </i></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="color: purple; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><span style="background-color: white;">58.79% of </span><span style="background-color: white;">Albania</span><span style="background-color: white;">'s population adheres to </span><span style="background-color: white;">Islam, (2011 census).</span><span style="background-color: white;"> </span></i></span></span></div>
Kathy Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03395074277469941083noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4165121682108528492.post-39041620235203995732019-04-30T09:29:00.000-07:002019-04-30T09:29:01.011-07:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2_E7KFtX2p5N9Q8RXP6wrpvcxyHQh0ZLwtOYF5fQkuF1-5DGpSCZUdfYCvIz8KFUuPgfdYGzWawn6lZn3-bGX8SgMkoN1Ji1WG_EQbLBdRr1AOIHb3V_zmrWT_09OmTBtvmQOPKMfN1Q/s1600/IMG_20190221_210015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="607" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2_E7KFtX2p5N9Q8RXP6wrpvcxyHQh0ZLwtOYF5fQkuF1-5DGpSCZUdfYCvIz8KFUuPgfdYGzWawn6lZn3-bGX8SgMkoN1Ji1WG_EQbLBdRr1AOIHb3V_zmrWT_09OmTBtvmQOPKMfN1Q/s400/IMG_20190221_210015.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><i>In February, I was invited to attend</i></b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><i>the graduation ceremony for the </i></b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><i>Physical Therapy students</i></b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><i>from the University. It was a "general"</i></b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><i>celebration , as the individual </i></b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><i>departments had already had their</i></b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><i>specific celebrations. </i></b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><i>It was an honor for me to be able to attend. </i></b></span></div>
Kathy Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03395074277469941083noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4165121682108528492.post-1707731598971944132019-04-30T09:20:00.000-07:002019-04-30T09:20:15.112-07:00<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJwLwNrZ-ZTdcYTKMPXw2hr8gKRZ8WPAkXYgqkG0VHntzrImoY2sppp-ZjrAp3WMdWhhtqUYg99lYf_jGTohmQlcJQ8gzU-BlVERph7aeSHs1VWiyaetmEpnxhv8fh0nLfXKYp3jUH-ac/s1600/IMG_20181219_112624.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="784" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJwLwNrZ-ZTdcYTKMPXw2hr8gKRZ8WPAkXYgqkG0VHntzrImoY2sppp-ZjrAp3WMdWhhtqUYg99lYf_jGTohmQlcJQ8gzU-BlVERph7aeSHs1VWiyaetmEpnxhv8fh0nLfXKYp3jUH-ac/s320/IMG_20181219_112624.jpg" width="156" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Try this drink...</i></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b><i>Tall machiato, Popcorn Latte</i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b><i>for only 100lek. (about .91 cents)</i></b></span></div>
Kathy Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03395074277469941083noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4165121682108528492.post-54834925765318539542019-04-30T09:13:00.003-07:002019-04-30T09:13:59.273-07:00<h2>
<span style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><i>Please Forgive me...</i></span></h2>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b><i>I have been very busy, and to be honest...I forgot about this blog site. So...I will catch you up on some things that make me laugh...and I will try to post a little more often...</i>;-)</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i><b><br /></b></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i><b><br /></b></i></span></div>
Kathy Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03395074277469941083noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4165121682108528492.post-37173009073946822812018-09-17T02:12:00.000-07:002018-09-17T02:12:44.812-07:00Currency Confusion...<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQPowyMR8EnoIro6UAN_vTw5yLvbpZNLsfeJ8C1hFpCnOAqfU03K4i2qg4J59401l7dxMEpGn9vPIMsNKmh9ffbYqOwEz5gLlE6BUq3t4n1d0V92fOEr3M_Ak26M9yR_kGxEbT6NcSftE/s1600/documents+2012+003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1221" data-original-width="1600" height="305" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQPowyMR8EnoIro6UAN_vTw5yLvbpZNLsfeJ8C1hFpCnOAqfU03K4i2qg4J59401l7dxMEpGn9vPIMsNKmh9ffbYqOwEz5gLlE6BUq3t4n1d0V92fOEr3M_Ak26M9yR_kGxEbT6NcSftE/s400/documents+2012+003.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;"><i><b>Albanian Currency...???</b></i></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<i><b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The</span> "official" currency in Albania is the Lek, (ALL), and this is where the confusion starts...not just for me, but every "foreigner". </b></i><br />
<i><b><br /></b></i>
<i><b>One ALL is roughly equal to one US penny. (pretty simple)</b></i><br />
<i><b><br /></b></i>
<i><b>So...100</b></i><i><b>ALL</b></i><i><b> = 100 pennies, or one dollar.</b></i><br />
<i><b> 1,000</b></i><i><b>ALL</b></i><i><b> = 1000 pennies or ten dollars.</b></i><br />
<i><b> 10,000</b></i><i><b>ALL</b></i><i><b> = 10,000 pennies or one hundred dollars. </b></i><br />
<i><b> 100,000</b></i><i><b>ALL</b></i><i><b> = 100,000 pennies or one thousand dollars. </b></i><br />
<i><b><br /></b></i>
<i><b>Shop owners will say the price one thousand, two hundred </b></i><i><b>ALL</b></i><i><b> for an item that is about $12, or 450 ALL for an item $4.50. </b></i><br />
<i><b><br /></b></i>
<i><b>BUT....</b></i><br />
<i><b> There is also "old </b></i><i><b>Lek</b></i><i><b>" which adds to the confusion. </b></i><br />
<i><b> 100</b></i><i><b>ALL</b></i><i><b> = ten pennies </b></i><i><b>(old </b></i><i><b>ALL</b></i><i><b>)</b></i><br />
<i><b> </b></i><i><b>1,000</b></i><i><b>ALL</b></i><i><b> = one dollar (old </b></i><i><b>ALL</b></i><i><b>)</b></i><br />
<i><b> 10,000</b></i><i><b>ALL</b></i><i><b> = ten dollars (old </b></i><i><b>ALL</b></i><i><b>)</b></i><br />
<i><b> 100,000</b></i><i><b>ALL = one hundred dollars </b></i><i><b>(old </b></i><i><b>ALL</b></i><i><b>)</b></i><br />
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<i><b>The re-valuation of the Albanian Lek took place in 1965, before 40% of the current population was born. So...why is it still used? In the big supermarkets and the malls where items are rung up in the register, the current new lek is used...but in the smaller "mom and pop shops", old lek rule.</b></i><br />
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<b><i>I go to the market, and buy 4 apples, and the shop keeper tells me 1,200 Lek. Now either apples got really expensive, $12 for 4 apples, or it really is $1.20. Hmmmm.....? Most vendors do not distinguish between old lek and new lek...the customer has to figure that out. Sometimes I am not certain; like a wonderful bread/pizza/calzone thing I buy at the local bakery is 300lek or 30 lek. Well, my American brain thinks $3 for this is ok...but it is really only 30 cents. I do have my regular places for produce, bread etc, so those shopkeepers know I get confused and tell me new lek prices.</i></b><br />
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<b><i>Ok...one more step of confusion that has been happening recently as I look for a place to rent for the Training Center. One landlord told me the price in US dollars, he would not accept ALL, but I had to pay in US dollars. Another landlord tole me the rental price in Euros...and I must pay in Euros. My comment was, but we live in Albania, I will pay in ALL, the landlords walked away.</i></b><br />
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<b><i>So...what is the "REAL" currency in Albania...???</i></b><br />
<b><i>Yes, often while walking home I smile at the currencies in use in this little country in eastern Europe.</i></b>Kathy Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03395074277469941083noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4165121682108528492.post-28337487938012999282018-06-28T04:34:00.000-07:002018-06-28T04:34:03.479-07:00Traffic in Tirana<a href="https://youtu.be/Tp2ZcWBcNIk"><span style="color: black; font-size: x-large;">Traffic in Tirana</span></a> <a href="https://youtu.be/Tp2ZcWBcNIk" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; color: #167ac6; cursor: pointer; font-family: "YouTube Noto", Roboto, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" target="_blank"><b>https://youtu.be/Tp2ZcWBcNIk</b></a><br />
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I am always surprised at the traffic here in Tirana...or even in Eastern Europe. It in not uncommon to see strange horse drawn contraptions, or things that look like "roto-tillars" with a driver and cart behind. Or even to see a human pushing or pulling a strange cart loaded with something.<br />
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Today...it was a first to see a power wheelchair...in traffic...as if a "car".<br />
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First of all....there are very few standard wheelchairs in good enough shape to be "pushed" on a sidewalk...so seeing a power chair, complete with rear view mirrors moving along in traffic was a new thing for me.<br />
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Another reason why this person in the power wheelchair was in "traffic" and not on the sidewalk...?<br />
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There is no such thing as "ramps" on the curbs at intersections...there are very few places that are "handicapped accessible"...period. Persons with disabilities are not out in the community, like in the US. (I am nervous being in a car in this traffic...I would think twice before getting in this traffic in a power wheelchair!)Kathy Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03395074277469941083noreply@blogger.com0