Automobile visa required in Greece...???

I was traveling to Corfu, Greece today, when I was met with a new and interesting requirement for international travel.  There was not a "visa stamp in my passport for my car".  Being an American citizen I did not require a "visa" stamp for myself, just a stamp for my car from when I visited Greece back in October 2013.  I had the international car registration papers, international insurance papers with me...but did not have a stamp in my passport for my "car" from my previous visit.  I was able to prove that I entered and exited Greece in 2013, but did not have any documents for my car.  I had never heard of this before. 

After 45 minutes of discussion and trying to understand the situation, I provided my Albanian residency documents and my business card from ABC Health Center, and the border police finally allowed me to enter Greece.  

Yes, I now have a document for my car, and I will make certain that I obtain the correct stamp when I return to Albania in 8 days.  

Each time I cross an international border, I am not sure what to expect...it is always an adventure!

One more thing:  my car was thoroughly searched again today as I was leaving Albania...everything taken out, all panels inspected, all compartments, every nook and cranny...but the guard never opened my suitcase. I so can't figure this out...why I am pulled aside to have my car searched...and the BMW and Mercedes go right on through...???  Am I being "profiled...?" 

Multi-cultural appliances...

I recently needed to replace one of my room fans...and to my surprise this fan had a lot of international connections.

As you can see, the brand name is German.

The box is in English.

Made in China.

Directions in Greek, all of them...except for the safety precautions...which were in English. (note: the safety precautions were not for this appliance...a fan, but were for use of an iron.  i.e. don't let children touch the iron when it is hot, etc)

Luckily, I have put this type of fan together before...and the pictures, well...pictures work in any language.

Going home from Vajta....

The Foundations conference ended on Friday, June 20th, and at 6am on Saturday morning the four of us, Lirak, Suela, Urim and I were once again on the road...headed back to Kosova.  (I would drive back to Tirana on Sunday...)  There was not one single "car search" at any border...in total, all 4 border crossings took a total of 45 minutes...combined.  Like wow...is that some kind of a record...???  Not one person even asked us if we had anything to declare.

I was very nervous as we approached the Gjilan, Kosova border crossing. A week earlier, Suela and I were not allowed into Serbia at this border...would they let us out of Serbia at this same crossing???  What if they separated us again...allowing the "boys" to cross and making Suela and I drive to Macedonia? I was too tired to add another 4 hours to our trip, Suela does not drive.

But GOD...!

We crossed without any incident...!  What a relief...!  

The return trip took us 13 hours total driving time...including borders and a sit down meal for about an hour.  We arrived at Lirak's apartment at 7pm.    

20 hours to get to Vajta...13 hours to get back home.  Hmmmm....???

I much prefer the shorter version. I can't really explain the 7 hour difference covering the same distance...but if you are driving in eastern Europe...don't count on the time that "google maps" tells you the trip will take...

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...