Day 3 in Albania

 Making friends at church

Playing on the playground outside our hotel

 

View outside our hotel balcony

 

Walk to Kanine Castle

 

 

Sunshine!

Playing on the Beach

First activity of the day was watching the YSAs play "futbol" on the beach. Peter watched from the sidelines with such yearning to play. Afraid that he might get hurt (I'm sure) one of the YSAs took him for a little stroll. Gwen played happily in the sand until I discovered it had lots of shards of broken glass.

Trip to the outdoor market

Grandma took Gwen by the hand and let her pick out various different fruits and vegetables for the next couple of days: egg plant, strawberries, apples, oranges, pears, cucumbers... All the while proudly introducing her American grandaughter to her vendor friends.

 

I was in heaven! I told Ryan later how I envied this lifestyle of going to the markets every few days to get fresh produce.

 

Trip to the Supermarket/Mall

On the way home we stopped in the supermarket to buy some much needed diapers (which were crazy expensive). Gwen quickly made friends with some Albanian kids playing on the toys outside.

 

Another YSA Activity

After naps, we walked to the church for another YSA activity. Gwen and Peter played happily during their lesson and games. Afterwards, Gwen helped Grandma serve bananas (a local favorite) and a homemade treat. She was a hit -- lots of kisses and cheek pinching. =)

 

 

Visit "Albania" Grandma and Grandpa

 

We started our journey from Rome at 5:00am. Gwen could hardly contain her excitement.

(Left) The only time the new neck pillow has been used this trip -- as "ear phones" (Right) Sleepy Peter... slept almost the entire 1 hour flight from Rome to Tirana.

Our little climber...

 

Finally reach Grandma and Grandpa!

 

Seeing G&G In Action

That evening we went with G&G to baptism service for four of their investigators. All the members in attendance were so sweet the kids. They passed Peter around hugging and kissing him. Gwen, exhausted from the trip, wasn't as cooperative but warmed up to one of the YSAs, Aeriola (not sure on the spelling). She considers herself a hippy --- we got along very well. =)