Searched....! TWICE...!

On our way to Vajta, Hungary, to attend the Foundations conference at CCBCE, Suela and I had to cross into Serbia via the Macedonian border.  That was not in our plans.  Neither was the 40  minute, total car search by the 5 Macedonian border patrol men.  They pulled us out of the line to cross the border, and I thought why us?  Did Suela and I look suspicious?  Did they see an older model Toyota Yaris and think...."drug/gun smugglers"?  We drove into a special building that had a long pit, deep enough for men to stand under the car...it seemed too wide for my little car to drive over without falling in.

Everything was removed from the car...and every panel, every nook and cranny, even the gas tank was inspected. They used a small micro camera and looked into everything. They were nice...asked us where we were going, we showed them the map, they asked us about our faith...they joked around with my "mace spray" they found in the glove box.  We had the "boys" luggage with us, but they didn't seem concerned.  At one point I asked them, "why did you pull us out of line".  All I was told is that I ask too many questions...then another border guard told me that they had to search 15 cars a day.  They put everything back in place...and sent us on our way.  (We were leaving Macedonia when this search occurred...would we be searched again in 50 yards trying to go into Serbia)  Thankfully no...!  ;-)

Then, after crossing the entire length of Serbia, as we were leaving to cross the border into Hungary...we were once again pulled out of the line and the car was searched.  35 minutes by 4 border patrol. They were not so nice or careful...they kind of just threw our stuff around, and insisted that we watch what they were doing. Again, the gas tank was inspected...this seemed really strange to me.  

Later, as we were finally in Hungary, and back on the road to Vajta...after taking one full hour to get across the border after being searched...we talked about why my little Toyota was searched TWICE!  

It had Albanian license plates....and there has been a lot of drug trafficking from Albania...in fact the borders where we were searched have stopped many large shipments of drugs and guns.  

Now I know what "profiling" is all about.  I am thankful that these men are doing their jobs...and I was purposeful to thank tell them so...even though I was tired of being searched.  Lirak thought we should tell them that we had already been searched...and that would give us a "pass"....probably make them more determined to "detain us".  

It is always an adventure to drive through eastern Europe...you never know what will happen at the border crossings.  

Road Trip to Vajta, Hungary...#2

On June 14, 6:15am, Lirak, Suela and I left Prishtina, Kosova, headed to Malishevë to pick up our other passenger, Urim. We headed to Gjilan, Kosova to cross the border into Serbia.

Last year, on the same trip, we drove to the border with Macedonia, as we were told that is where we needed to cross. The two young men from Kosova, could not cross there, and we were directed to the Gjilan border crossing. This year...we thought that we all needed to cross at Gjilan, so we drove directly there. WRONG THINKING....!

Lirak and Urim needed to cross at Gjilan, Suela and I had to cross in Macedonia. The boys hitch-hiked to the nearest Serbian town, Bujanovac. Someone told us a place to meet near the bus station, we had no phone service in any of our phones.  Suela and I drove the long way around to Bujanovac...taking 4 hours. We found the boys...out exploring the town, the waiter at the restaurant told us where they were.  

We were all together again...and headed to the conference center in Vajta.  I had made arrangements with the staff at the Bible college...they called us at 6pm to see where we were on the road. We had sent an email already explaining the "detour"...and they provided us with a code to open the gate, and where our room keys would be.

We arrived at Vajta...really tired, at 2:15 am...one and a half hours faster than last year.  20 hours of travel total.  (and two really tough border crossings...see "searched" blog) 

We didn't get lost this year...no golf-ball sized hail...just a really long detour. 

It is always an adventure...God kept us safe...and  we were excited to be at the conference...!

Mirësevjen television interview~~~

"Mirësevjen", 22 maj 2014

Emisioni do të vazhdojë me një temë mjaftë të veçantë dhe të ndjeshme për të gjithë, fëmijët me aftësi dhe nevoja të veçanta. Të ftuara në studion e \"Mirësevjen\" janë Dr. Kathy Scott, fizioterapiste nga Qendra Shendetësore \"ABC\" dhe Oreada Kita, Drejtore e Qendrës \"Xhonatan\".

(translation): The show will continue with a very specific topic and sensitive to all children with disabilities and special needs. Invited to the studio of \ Mirësevjen \" are Dr. Kathy Scott, physiotherapist, from Health Center "ABC" and Oreada Kita, Director of the Centre "Jonathan".


Ada Kita and I were invited to be interviewed on a live morning show here in Tirana, about working with children with Down Syndrome and other special health care needs.

I was very nervous in considering whether to do this or not...but I rec'd some encouraging words, and a few "pep talks"....being interviewed on "live TV" was never on my radar...!

The moderator, Kozeta, was very good and made it easy for us. She spoke to me in English and translated for me.  It was a great opportunity to share the needs of the families and children with special health care needs, and the work of the Jonathan Center. 

 It turned out to be fun...yes...I am definitely laughing...!  When the YouTube link is posted, I will attach it to this blog so you all can watch it. 

always an adventure...!

I felt it...!!!

Early this morning at 2:59:19am there was a 5.1 magnitude earthquake here in Tirana.  The epicenter was south of Tirana.

It woke me up, and I thought "why is the bed moving and my light swinging from the ceiling...?"  

Am I thankful that I didn't rent that apartment on the 7th floor...!!!  

I haven't heard about any damage...in fact the first person to mention it during the day was another american just visiting for the week.

oh well...I guess it is just another day in Albania...

My Balcony garden...

 Those of you that know me, know that I love to garden. There is something therapeutic about having dirt under your fingernails.  I started collecting plants last spring/summer, and have added a few new geraniums in the window sill box. Some annuals that were a gift of seed last spring from friends in  NM, overwintered very well and are blooming now: the nasturtium and the snapdragons.  

At the end of the balcony is a Jasmine...it is just now blooming and smells so wonderful in the mornings.  It has grown now so that it is hanging well over the balcony...so when you climb the stairs into the house...you can smell it.  I can also enjoy it when I am inside with the balcony door open.  

Also at the end of the balcony is a strange succulent type plant...that has hundreds of little starters that fall off of the branches...those are my "weeds"...I am pulling them from my other pots all the time. 

Our Spring has been cooler than normal, and I am glad...it will give my plants and the new starts a chance to get some strong roots before the summer heat arrives.

One of the girls from ABC Health was in disbelief that I purchased a "bag of dirt...!"  to pot all of my flowers. Wait until she learns that I used to buy bags of steer manure...!  Americans...we are a strange group...!

So...enjoy my little garden...

You go girls...!

The city of Albania is in the process of planting trees along our street.  Yesterday as I was walking to ABC Health center I noticed many new piles of dirt on the sidewalks...and then  I came across a group of women that were responsible for digging the holes for the trees to be planted.  They agreed to allow this  photo. The gentleman standing there...he was giving them orders.  There was some laughter as I took the photo, it made me smile that these women...aren't really dressed for this kind of "labor"...but they are doing the work...! The Albanians are not afraid of hard work! 

A little bit of Mexico in Tirana...

Look at the items on this menu...it actually says
Santa Fe...the sauce was good, but
Definitely not spicey.
Look at item number 8...don't know what that is.
We had a lot of fun and laughter just reading the
menu...the Santa Fe spring rolls were very good,
but of course could have used some "heat" in the
sauce. 

Our waiter, had the facial hair added with a marker,
and he spoke no Spanish. 

Suela, Lirak and me...at the Mexican restaurant. The food was good,
and flavorful, but I need to go back and
teach the chef the definition of  "spicey " !


The weather was beautiful, we had a  table on the porch...
it was a  nice way to spend the afternoon with friends...!