This year our Thanksgiving holiday happened to fall on the same day as Albania's Independence day (celebrating 101 years as a sovereign nation), so it was a holiday for all! While it may not seem a big deal, it really helped the day "feel" like a true holiday. Everything was just quiet (a rare thing in the city, indeed!)
It was also a beautiful dry, clear day for the first time in over a week. I grabbed my camera and walked over a couple of blocks to Mother Teresa square for a few photos of the bunting over the Boulevardi.
Look! Snow on the mountains!!
We were so happy to be invited to join the Hosaflook's and friends for Thanksgiving dinner. We had never been to their home before so we had to laugh when we read the directions and they ended with the instruction to turn left at the garbage cans at the top of the hill... When we got there, it made total sense!
We arrived around two. Below is Pam. She works at the Hope Center where we volunteer a couple of Saturdays a month. She is making rolls for dinner.
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Below is Faby -- she grew up in the orphanage in Shkodra and was taken in by David and Kristi when she aged out. I LOVED talking to Faby who is now married and a mom of three. I don't even know where to start to describe our conversation -- so much interesting stuff about orphanage life, understanding the Albanian orphan 'care' system, her integration into life in the 'real' world/mainstreaming, etc.. She's pictured with her youngest son, standing next to Ben, the H's oldest son.
Upon arriving we learned that our host David had most likely broken his arm in a football game earlier in the day. He had made some phone calls to determine the hospital with the best orthopedist and made an appointment. Nathan offered to drive him and accompany him for the duration of his visit.
That meant lunch was postponed indefinitely but we had lots of veggies and crackers and dip to snack on while passing the time visiting, in between the random Skype call that would come in from friends and family elsewhere.
(below, Faby and Kristi)
The adults' table...
I was super camera lazy... I think by the time Nathan and David returned it was all about filling kids' plates and eating! We had all the traditional fare (except we had chicken, not turkey -- I haven't spoken to anyone in Tirana who had turkey for their Thanksgiving!) -- sweet potatoes, mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, corn casserole, cranberries (from dried), stuffing, pickles, and rolls! There was a lot of 'making do' with what could be purchased locally as well as dipping into precious reserves of goodies brought over from America (like cheddar cheese)! All in all it was delicious and a taste of home!
We got home rather late, but were able to chat with both of our families via Skype.
We trust you all had a good Thanksgiving day too!
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