This is my local “grandpa” in Peace Corps. He lives below me, he’s in his 80s, and he’s the best.
I could list all the great things about him - that he’s crazy (in the good way) or that he thinks I’m the best or that he speaks three languages or etc etc - but I won’t do that.
I want to just tell you two things about him. The first is that being a retiree, my “grandpa” doesn’t have a lot to do. But everyday, without fail, he gets dressed like this (on point and so stylish) and walks into town to have a coffee. Sometimes he sits alone and sometimes he’s with other old men and sometimes he’s with me. He’s old and he walks with a cane but he looks DAPER. He walks around town like he owns the place and visits all sorts of cafes. What a cool guy.
The second is that my “grandpa” never forgets me. In fact when I see him, he says “ine Diana mou!” Which is Greek for “Its my Diana!” Never fails to make me smile. He tells great stories. And wow can he make you laugh.
I just felt like talking about him because this is one of the reasons I feel so at home here … Because I have people like this around me. People who have basically adopted me into their regular lives. People who care about how I’m doing or how my day is going.
~ ~ Diane
Beautiful image of Korçe, Albania by Peace Corps Volunteer Ashique Mohammad. There are 92 Volunteers in Albania working with their communities on projects in community economic development, English #education, and health. During their service in Albania, Volunteers learn to speak Albanian. More than 660 Peace Corps Volunteers have served in Albania since the program was established in 1992. http://bit.ly/2bdTiDb
Gjirokastër in all it’s glory, complete with a shooting star. #istayedupallnightforthis #perseids #avashavash #peacecorps (at Kalaja E Gjirokastres)
For Peace Corps Albania Volunteer Ashique, it’s a drinking tea and reading type of day. There are 92 Volunteers in Albania working with their communities on projects in community economic development, English education, and health. During their service in Albania, Volunteers learn to speak Albanian. More than 660 Peace Corps Volunteers have served in Albania since the program was established in 1992. http://bit.ly/2a9RkmS
Kampi Pa Emer (Camp No Name)
Albania’s Kampi Pa Emer (Camp No Name) promotes “tolerance and personal growth in all campers and their families regardless of ethnicity.”
“Some of the beautiful views of my host town.” - Peace Corps Albania Volunteer http://bit.ly/207yail
Thank you Darien Book Aid for making these kids super happy. #avashavash #peacecorps (at Tepelenë, Albania)
Sunset in Albania. Volunteers in Albania work with their communities on projects in community economic development, English education, and health. During their service, Volunteers learn to speak Albanian. More than 660 Peace Corps Volunteers have served in Albania since the program was established in 1992. http://bit.ly/1WscqfW
So the other day as I was waiting on the side of the highway for my bus, I met this guy. He works in the field of road construction. He was super nice and loved that I speak Albanian.
He came over to sweep up the little bits of rock that dropped off one of their machines as it drove by. Then, a cement truck drove by and let out a HUGE trail of wet cement rock mix all over the road where he was cleaning. I was mad FOR this guy. What bad luck. But you know what he did? He didn’t get mad. He got his shovel, along with his broom, and kept on keeping on.
If this guy can keep going at the end of his dirty day of road work with smile on his face, then so can you.👷🏽💪🏼🛠
#albania #pcvlife #friends #shqiptare
Even through a dirty bus window, the beauty of the sunsets in Albania is unstoppable. 😍😍 #sunset #vlora #pcv #bregdeti #nofilter (at Vlorë, Albania)