So I've been asked by a few people what dancing is like in Albania. I have some pictures that I still haven't uploaded and some videos of dancing at our culture day. When I get a chance, I will upload some of them so that you can see (and see some of the traditional attire that my host sister wore and a couple of the other people in my group got to wear). I HOPEFULLY will get to go to an Albanian wedding this weekend with Eliza! We haven't "officially" gotten invited yet, but I'm hoping I'll add some weight into the invitation if she can bring the crazy American. We are both super excited to get dressed up and dance A LOT...me especially....and she was joking that we had to be dressed in the best! And she asked me if I was going to wear the 1 pair of heels that I brought that I haven't touched yet, and I said no. I was going to wear my tennis shoes. And she looked shocked! But clearly...everyone knows how much i LOVE getting dressed up...and I've been waiting for the opportunity to do it here!
Otherwise, my host dad headed back to Greece today. It was super fun while he was here! I learned a few Albanian card games that he would play with me and Eliza. And they were all super impressed that I could shuffle and bridge the cards (thanks mom for teaching me that trick when i was 8!). They just kept saying "casino." I taught them Egyptian rat screw...which is always fun since it involves potentially hurting someone by slapping ridiculously hard.
It's been really cool feeling like I am definitely integrating into my village. We've been teaching typing classes at the high school for the past 2 weeks and the past 3 sundays we've played frisbee/tag/other fun activities with the kids at the church grounds [though my favorite so far was playing freeze tag today...and explaining that you had to crawl between people's legs to unfreeze them]. So I've been meeting a ton of kids and everywhere I go I feel like I know more and more people. It's super exciting, though kind of sad to know that I'll be leaving here in 1 month and have to do the same thing in my new town. I've also been going to the Catholic church here because it's a great way to re-establish relationships that I've already formed. And practice my Shqip with kids and help them with their English a bit. And the nun who is from Brazil game me some free honey! Always a plus!
As for communal living and all my friends out there in community houses...living here certainly brings a new meaning to the concept. In my family everyone shares the same water glass over dinner (I have taken to just using my water bottle). And typically when we eat we all share the same salad and yogurt bowl. However, the weirdest thing we share is the bathroom towel. Nothing like 5 people using the same towel! ...so you might want to think about incorporating these things into your intentional living! ;)
lastly...fun fact of the day....the closest word to my name in shqip is recel (which means jam/marmalade). i think it's kind of fun! and easier to get people to say this than how my name actually sounds.
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2 comments:
Hey, Marmalade-y! (Recel)
I'm always so excited when I see a new post on your blog. :) You're doing such a great job keeping us up-to-date; it makes me happy!! Sounds like things are going super-well so far and I can't wait to hear more of the same when you get to your real placement SO soon!
Also, what is your address---can i send you a personal, embroidered potty towel for your own use? :)
Love you muchos & talk to you sooN! <3
Since Carrie did the Marmalade....I must go with Jam.
You do realize you will be called this for the remainder of your natural life should you ever come visit this household again.
You do such a great job with your postings.
All the best.
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