Peace Corps Albania G11

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We've moved! Chris and I returned to the US for one week before shipping back out again-- this time for a two year+ three month stint in Albania! We're serving in the Peace Corps, which means that Chris will be assigned to work in a bashkia and his goals include Community Development, while I will be implementing health programs within the Public Health Department. For the time being, we're stationed in Elbasan, the third largest city, where we do technical training with all 37 volunteers twice a week. However, all of us trainees are living with host families split amongst 8 of the surrounding villages. That's where we doing our language training-- five days each week. Learning Shqip (pronounced "ship"). Its a pretty intense language, I'm not gonna lie.
Life here is not better, its not worse, just different. That's pretty much true, but its just another silly phrase that no one truly understands unless they have been here-- sort of like Thailand's Same Same, But Different slogan. We're not too far from major centers like Greece and Italy, but its not like we can just go to the grocery store to buy some peanut butter. Or most goods we are so used to back in the States. However, I am relying on the kindness of family and friends to send the occasional package of goodies I will cherish so dearly...
Also, I will be posting my blog from here on out on my blogger page: www.courtneyinalbania.blogspot.com
So please read a few in your spare time if you are interested!
Signing out--
courtney

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