Training Days

It’s been too long since I’ve blogged but as usual I can’t seem to find either the time or the internet. I’ve decided to do what I did back in training in Ukraine…write it out in word and then post it when I can to the internet. I sometimes pick up the net from the bar across the street but it’s in and out and not a strong connection.

So far I’ve been here close to 2 weeks and everything is amazing. Nothing like my first PST (pre-service training) experience in Ukraine where I was very stressed out all the time. It’s different here as people do things a bit slower and they often tend to “stop and drink the coffee”.  Of course “going for coffee” means a lot more. You can spend an hour or more over one small tea or espresso just catching up on the latest gossip and news and no one throws you out. Unfortunately coffee bars don’t sell food so if you want to eat, you need to pack a little something in your bag.

I spend 3 days a week in my tiny village of Thane doing language training and things of that nature. The other 3 days I go to the nearby city of Elbason where we meet with the whole group of trainees for language, safety and security, medical, cultural and other such trainings. I’ve met quite a few great folks here and have bonded with several.

For those of you who aren’t aware, I was put on medical hold while I was in staging and orientation for Peace Corps in Philadelphia. I came down with Shingles and had to watch my fellow trainees leave for the airport without me. I went home for 2 weeks, recovered, repacked and got on the plane for Albania and here I am…better late than never! I’ve been busy catching up with everything but it’s no sweat. I’ve already had a lot of the training from my first tour so it’s all good. I’m just trying to catch up with the language as I am still a week behind. That I can only take in small doses.

My host family are wonderful people. They treat me like family and it’s nice to be with them. I am older than everyone. The parents are 32 and 42, 2 daughters 7 and 13, and a little boy 16 months.. The older daughter speaks very good English (self-taught!) so it’s made my life much easier. I LOVE my host mom. I call her Mama Oli and she cracks up because, of course, I am old enough to be HER mom!

I have a volunteer across the street from me which is nice because we ride the bus into town together. There are a total of 8 volunteers in our village, which is about the size of a football field. Ya, seriously.

That’s it for now. Enjoy the pictures!

The house where I am staying

Host Sister Vesa

Host Sister Zoica

Host Mom Oli (Gladiola) with Host Brother Rajan