Baby...it is still cold outside....!

So the last week we have continued to be trapped in this "freezing cold" weather pattern. This morning...about 2" snow and ice, these photos are from my apartment.

This area of Albania is so not used to "freezing" temperatures:

• My landlady mopped the tile in our ceramic tiled courtyard yesterday, it was 28 degrees. I was so relieved when I made it down the stairs, also covered with ceramic tile.  Then I hit the "icy" courtyard tile...yes...it would have made for a great video.  I had trouble finding a place that was not "icy" to even stand up. Does Charlie Chaplin come to mind...? Praise God...only bruises...again.  (Two weeks ago...I fell on the wet, ceramic covered stairs outside...that was very scary and painful) 
• The lady that cleans ABC Health center...routinely mops everything. Yesterday, she mopped the tile courtyard, the w/c ramp, and the tile steps leading into ABC...about 5 minutes before patients were scheduled to arrive.
• ABC Health center has not had running water for one week now...we use the bathroom at the neighboring coffee bar. Pipes are frozen, not broken.
• There are many broken water pipes...old infrastructure and it is not strong enough to withstand the freezing temps...which leads to large sheets of ice on the sidewalks, and streets.

So....today is a good day to stay inside, I have food, water, somewhat warm in my 52 degree apartment, warm lap blankets to snuggle on my couch, a hot water bottle...but I am more comfy than many, many other people in Tirana.

And...yes...I am still smiling....! ;-)  
Yes....I still love my life here...!  

Brrrr....Baby it is cold outside...! Baby it is cold inside....!

Yes...it is cold outside and cold inside...at church.  It was 28F yesterday afternoon at 4pm, our church meets in the evenings, the building heater was blowing cold air. Guess how cold it was during service. We had 6 brave souls, the "frozen chosen" come for service...and we were thankful for the blankets and the little foot carpets.

In my apartment, praise God I got my heater repaired the first part of December. In the mornings, my apartment is about 52F...I am able to get it up to about 60F by the end of the day. Yes...lap blankets, hot tea, hot water bottle, long underwear...and warm jammies are doing the trick.

 Tirana is in the grip of a "deep freeze" weather pattern. Our average high and low temperature for January is 52 F, and 36F.  On Saturday, we had a high of 29F and low of 19F, Yesterday it was 36F and 19.7F, today we are forecast for 35F and 16F. Add 30-40%  humidity and a 3-4mph breeze...and you have cold

For an area not used to "deep freezing" temperatures...schools are closed, water pipes are breaking and leaving an icy trail in the streets and sidewalks, and the plumbers say it is too cold to repair the broken pipes.  There are still several fresh lemons hanging on the tree in my yard...hmm...?

Free water from Kuwait...

When I returned from the US in February, I began noticing these new "water stations" all around Tirana.  At first I did not know what they were, but then someone explained to me that they were a gift from the Embassy of Kuwait...to the people of Tirana.  Not all are shaped like pitchers.  They offer free water for a quick drink, washing a face, filling water jugs for home use, or ???  I was just surprised that the Embassy of Kuwait provided this gift, it wasn't that long ago that the US was defending the people/country of Kuwait.  And now...they are giving back to another country in need.

 

Happy Easter...!

This morning...at 7am in Tirana, Albania...the Orthodox Church behind my apartment, began playing "All Creatures of our God and King" on their church bells.  The interesting thing about all of this is that "Orthodox Easter" is celebrated on May 1...yet they played this hymn on their chapel bells.  It was beautiful and blessed my heart greatly as I was waking up. And...I live in a country that was declared the first "atheistic nation" in the world..not that long ago.

Read through the hymn, let the words bless your heart...better yet...sing the words!

All creatures of our God and King

Lift up your voice and with us sing,

Alleluia! Alleluia!

Thou burning sun with golden beam,

Thou silver moon with softer gleam!

O praise Him! O praise Him!

Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

Thou rushing wind that art so strong

Ye clouds that sail in Heaven along,

O praise Him! Alleluia!

Thou rising moon, in praise rejoice,

Ye lights of evening, find a voice!

O praise Him! O praise Him!

Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

Thou flowing water, pure and clear,

Make music for thy Lord to hear,

O praise Him! Alleluia!

Thou fire so masterful and bright,

That givest man both warmth and light.

O praise Him! O praise Him!

Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

Dear mother earth, who day by day

Unfoldest blessings on our way,

O praise Him! Alleluia!

The flowers and fruits that in thee grow,

Let them His glory also show.

O praise Him! O praise Him!

Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

And all ye men of tender heart,

Forgiving others, take your part,

O sing ye! Alleluia!

Ye who long pain and sorrow bear,

Praise God and on Him cast your care!

O praise Him! O praise Him!

Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

And thou most kind and gentle Death,

Waiting to hush our latest breath,

O praise Him! Alleluia!

Thou leadest home the child of God,

And Christ our Lord the way hath trod.

O praise Him! O praise Him!

Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

Let all things their Creator bless,

And worship Him in humbleness,

O praise Him! Alleluia!

Praise, praise the Father, praise the Son,

And praise the Spirit, Three in One!

O praise Him! O praise Him!

Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

Merry Christmas, from Albania

It amazes me...from this side of the pond...watching what is taking place in America.  Charlie Brown's Christmas has been "edited"...under court order...?!?  Seriously...???

I live in a country that in 1945, the Agrarian Reform Law under communism meant that large pieces of property owned by religious groups were nationalized, along with estates of monasteries and dioceses. Many believers, and many priests were arrested, tortured and executed. In 1949, a new decree required that all religious activities be sanctioned by the communist state alone.

Then in 1967, Albania was declared to be the first "completely atheistic" country in the world, by Enver Hoxha. Hundreds of mosques and dozens of Islamic libraries containing priceless manuscripts were destroyed. Churches were not spared either, and many were converted into cultural centers for young people. The new law banned all "fascist, religious warmongerish, antisocialist activity and propaganda"  Preaching religion carried a three to ten years prison sentance. Nontheless, many Albanians continues to practice their beliefs secretly.

The People's republic was dissolved in 1991-1992, and the freedom to practice religion was restored. Many missionaries responded to the opportunity to share the gospel of Jesus Christ to Albania.


Look at the "Albanian National Holiday" schedule for 2015. There are 2 national Easter Holidays...!

April 3…Good Friday…Observance

April 4…Holy Saturday…Observance

April 5…Easter Sunday…National Holiday

April 6… Easter Monday…Observance

April 10…Good Friday (Orthodox)…Observance

April 11…Easter Saturday (Orthodox)…Observance

April 12…Easter Sunday (Orthodox…Observance

April 13…Easter Monday (Orthodox)…National Holiday

December 24…Christmas Eve…Observance

December 25…Christmas Day…National Holiday

Vendors in the market where I shop...have all told me, "Gezuar Krishtlindja", which literally means, "Happy Christ's Birth."

Tirana is covered in lights, giant Christmas trees, giant Santa Clauses. Of course they are referred to as "New Years Tree" and "Father New Year"...but it sure feels like Christmas to me. 

The poinsettia in Albanian is called the "Christmas flower".  

 

And I live in a country where you hear the mosques calling to prayer, a country where prison time was the cost for "preaching"...and I come from a country that is perceived by "Albanian nationals" as a Christian nation. 

Merry Christmas from a country that knows what it means to be put in prison for sharing your faith...any faith. 

Kangoo Jumps~~~

 Ok...so my background in physical therapy had me scratching my head when a store opened up across from the market where I shop. Then I started seeing aerobic classes for adults, and children using these devices. My specialty in the US was "feet and ankles", and understanding gait, loading, and biomechanics of function.

I looked on the internet, and there have been some studies on the "claim" of reduced impact for athletes. In fact this is the claim, "with a lower risk of injury, providing significant protection to the joints, when compared to traditional sport shoes. Consequently, Kangoo Jumps rebound shoes could be considered the world’s lowest impact shoe."  

           

Really...???  I looked up to see how much these "impact shoes" cost.  In the US...the cheapest version is $179, with available spare parts at $20 and up. With an average monthly salary of $300-400 USD here in Albania,  I wonder how many pairs of Kangoo Jumps this store has actually sold...?  

No...I have no plans to go in and try on a pair...!

3.3 and 5.0...things are shaking....!

Early this morning there were two earthquakes, like seriously about 2-3 minutes apart.  So this is pretty new for me, no earthquakes in New Mexico.  I was in my living room, heard a commotion from all the dogs outside and then heard a loud rumbling...and the room was "rocking and rolling".  The first one made me think...wow what is going on?  Is there some heavy machinery work going on outside?  Then after the second one, I knew it was an earthquake.  I checked with my landlord...she is still probably laughing at me, as if this was just a normal day.  

Apparently, I found a site online that has mapped out the "earthquake risk for the Balkans" and surrounding countries.
http://horizon-magazine.eu/article/mapping-europe-s-earthquake-risk_en.html  

Yes...life is always an adventure...!