Oops!

Well I am here!  Sorry it took me so long!  I’m living in a village about 20 minutes outside of Elbasan, which is one of the largest cities in Albania for the next 9 weeks.  There are 5 other volunteers in the same village staying with different host families.  My family is amazing!  I have a host sister who is 22 and a mother and father.  Their two oldest daughters are married and also hosting Peace Corps trainees so we’re all one huge family.  It amazes me that I’ve only been here for one week and barely speak the language yet they take care of me like I’m their other daughter.   A few days ago I went for a run and my host sister had turned on the water heater for me so the shower would be ready when I got back.  I know it sounds small but when you have the vocabulary of a two year old and it is a struggle just to say simple things, little gestures like that make your day.

Overall I’m having a great time here.  We’re in class Monday-Saturday until 3 PM most days and afterwards I typically go on a hike with other trainees or some kids from the village.  We’ve been really lucky in that one of the kids (my host-nephew) takes us around everywhere with him.  Today he waited for us to get out of school and organized a picnic at the top of the hill.  It was beautiful and so much fun.  I think the best thing about being here is that I get to play like a little kid again all the time.  I play Uno.  I jump rope.  I play fight with sticks.  I go exploring in ruined buildings.  It is something new everyday and I couldn’t be happier.