A piece by PICASSO (GK Crew)
Harry Dunn.Lloyd Christmas. (DUMB & DUMBER...duh!)
This blog is a personal account of my service as a Peace Corps Volunteer. In no way do the thoughts or opinions expressed on this site reflect the Peace Corps or the United States Government.
A piece by PICASSO (GK Crew)
Harry Dunn.Lloyd Christmas. (DUMB & DUMBER...duh!)
After having gone our separate ways for 6 months, Group 12 in FULL convened in the southeastern city of Pogradec for 4 days to brush up on the language (and show off what we know). The Language Refresher Conference is provided to revive our Albanian/Shqip skills, and give us a few days to learn some more stuff. We were divided into groups based on level, and you will all be pleased to know that I was in Group 1- the advanced students!!!
The castle from below
FFK 2009
We were warmly greeted: given our very own 2009 souvenir mugs full of wine, and ushered in toward tables of free food and live entertainment. It was one of those nights that made me feel so… included…so Albanian, I suppose… in a way almost inexplicable to be quite honest. At 7:00pm, the traditionally dressed band led the way into the vineyards- in which everyone followed in sort of a parade-like session. After retrieving baskets and baskets full of grapes, we returned to the main event, where they were placed into the giant wooden vessel waiting in the center of the lawn. The group of Albanian teenage girls finally stepped in barefoot: treading the grapes to the beat of the music, everyone circled around and cheered full forcedly as if they were attending a huge sporting event. The rest of the night went down in history: circle dancing, drinking wine, eating plate after plate lamb, making new friends, chatting socially with the VIP’s of Berat, and well… just enjoying ourselves. In the Albanian language: Gezuar! (Cheers!)
Eat. Drink. Be Merry!
Çobo Winery
Live Entertainment leading the pack
Emerging from the vineyards
stepping into the grapes
grapes, rrush
Corinne and I digging in on the lamb chops
The last supper...Aida.Eric.Daryoush.Phoebe.Me.Chloe.creepy track suit man. Scott.
The first performers
Snapshot of the ringling brothers since video is NOT loading. Video will come later!
Corinne, Phoebe, & I at the festival!
Our birthday cake, funfetti of course!
The birthday girls out to dinner at the White House
Phoebe, Luke, & Daryoush at dinner
Sof, Me, Marie, & Corinne celebrating