Macedonia

Macedonia
An afternoon in Ohrid

Thursday, September 24, 2009





Day 5 in Cherkeze. What a time it's been! Cherkeze is a village of about 5,000, but it's a very insulated city. It's Albanian Muslim and is only about 3 kilometers Kumanova. Everyone in Cherkeze knows everyone and word travels fast. We've been made so welcome it's amazing. I have inherited quite a big family. I walk through town and kids, my 'cousins', run up to me to say "Miredita' and hug me. Further on, my 'aunt' asks me in for kafe, and I pass my 'sisters' riding around town. I went walking with the other trainees in town out in the fields, and asked a woman in traditional dress who was collecting melons and peppers if I could take her picture. She said okay, and I showed her what I took. She then gave me the melon she was carrying. I told her and her son thank you, but I didn't want to take their food, but they insisted. We took it to the house of one of the group and dove into it - yum. It was like a white watermelon, warm still from being in the field, and the most flavorful melon I've ever eaten. I think I must have gained ten pounds already. My mother feeds me like crazy - goulash, dolma (stuffed peppers), the best yoghurt I've ever had, pickled peppers and carrots, Albanian 'pita', chicken and rice (from a chicken she had killed and plucked that morning.) At night we go visiting - last night up to a madher (sister) of my dad and another volunteered, and we laughed and drank kafe and mineral water. It's amazing how much you can communicate despite knowing only a few words. They are very patient with me and take teaching us Albanian very seriously. The training is intense - with tons of homework, so figuring out when to do it is a challenge. It's hard sometime - there's very little down time and I'm tired a lot, but am adjusting and doing better staying awake in class.... I'm going to try to attach some pictures, so here goes.

3 comments:

  1. Love the pictures Candy. Wow, sounds so interesting, must feel like a big community to you after Marlo. We miss you. Taking Becky to the airport today. Gads, from that picture it doesn't look like they would have internet there. b

    ReplyDelete
  2. Who is in the top pic? Is that your "dad," "mom," and other peace corpers? Was this your bday party and are those presents you're holding? What did you get? Looks like a fun party, I'm surprised they served you champagne - how nice!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Candy, Love seeing the pictures it looks wonderful. Remember to write down recipes...this could be the making of a book when you retire again! Love seeing everything and hearing what your up too, sounds like your having a wonderful experience. Miss you. Anne M

    ReplyDelete