While I purpose to keep the focus of this blog on positive, savorful things about Albania, certainly there are realities of living in Albania that I don’t always savor.

For those traveling to Albania for any length of time, it may be helpful to understand some of these not-to-be-savored situations.

One aspect is buying products in Albania– a good motto for businesses here would be: “Once you pay for it, it’s yours for keeps.” (ie. No refunds allowed!).

While a few stores have begun to implement an ‘exchange policy’, (within 3-14 days) the incredible return policies where you actually get your money back are almost non-existent here. (One of the things I love about the U.S.– great customer service!)

This means you have to make up your mind completely before you make the purchase, because after you pass the cash register threshold, there’s no turning back. (A challenge for those of us who are indecisive).

Just the other day TCLH and I bought a mattress for our guest bedroom. There were two stores in the mall right next to each other that sold mattresses. At both stores the sales ladies spewed off a bunch of mattress vocabulary terms in Albanian about the types of materials used to make these ‘very comfortable’ and hygiene-friendly mattresses. After viewing the possibilities, we went back to the first store where we ultimately made our purchase. The mattress came the next day– upon first glance it seemed fine, but upon scrutinizing it more closely, we saw that there were many places where the stitching was poorly done and that with some use, the cover could easily tear apart. TCLH called the store and they said they would send another one the next morning.

When the 2nd one arrived, my husband inspected it at the delivery van and saw that it had the same problem, so he refused to take it. The salesperson reassured us on the phone that they would send another one over the next couple of days– “not to worry, you will be completely satisfied with this mattress“. Though I secretly hoped they might give us our money back because I was torn between the first and second store mattress options and was feeling the onset of buyer’s remorse, my Albanian friends all heartily agreed– “They will never give you your money back.”

Thus, in order to have successful shopping experiences and avoid buyer’s remorse  in Albania, here are a few tips:

1. Check out as many options as possible (this will require time to investigate all the options– be patient with the process)
2. Ask friends for their recommendations about similar products they’ve purchased that they have been pleased with. (Word of mouth is probably the best way of advertising in Albania)
3. Ask if there is a warranty, and have it spelled out what it really means. (Most likely there won’t be any possibility of getting your money back, though you may be able to exchange for a different product within their store).
4. Sleep on your decision overnight
5. Go to the store and make your purchase in faith

One of the reasons TCLH and I are pursuing ‘business as mission’ in Albania through our engraving business is that we want to do business differently– to show that our faith is interconnected to the way we relate to customers and handle business decisions and transactions. We want customers to be so delighted with their experience at our store that they will spread the word about our business. Thus, there have been times when we’ve either re-done a product or given a full refund if a customer wasn’t fully satisfied. (Definitely “going against the flow” in the Albanian business culture!)

**On a positive note, the mattress store did bring a 3rd mattress yesterday and it seems to be better quality than the first two (no obvious defects). We will see how well our guests sleep on it– my mom gets to try it for the first time tonight! Sweet Dreams Mom!

One of the most distinguishing and charming characteristics of the Albanian people is their wonderful hospitality.

Albanians treat their guests like royalty. When visiting an Albanian home, even just for a coffee, they will bring out a smorgasbord of goodies- chocolates, candies and caramels, something cold to drink like juice or soda, Turkish coffee to follow, a sweet liquor for the women and of course, Albanian “raki” for the men.  As your visit lasts a couple hours, the hostess will keep bouncing back into the kitchen to get fruit and salty snacks like pretzels and peanuts.

If you are visiting an Albanian family for dinner, don’t be surprised if they give you the best part of the meat, like the lamb’s head (with eyeballs still attached). This is the considered the choicest part and goes to the most important person at the table, which is YOU, their guest.

In the villages, you may find the hostess bringing in a basin to wash your feet and/or hands before you sit down for a meal.

The way Albanians kick off a visit when you sit down in their homes is by toasting to your health and happiness, saying “Gezuar” (guzz- u’- are) which you repeat after them and then clink your raki glasses together. They don’t expect you to necessarily drink their throat-burning specialty drink, but in order for the host to feel like he can drink freely, you at least need to bring the glass to your lips. If you don’t touch your drink or your food, then neither will the host/hostess feel the freedom to do so.

Albanians are very generous, not only in the abundant snacks or meal they set before you, but also in wanting to give you something to remember them by. I remember many years ago when I was living in Korca, a southeastern city, when my mom came to visit me in Albania. We went to my next door neighbor’s for a visit and had a very memorable evening. As we were getting ready to go, Frida, our hostess, left the room for a moment and then came back with a beautiful silver spoon that she wanted my mom to have. It was an antique heirloom from Frida’s family. Even as my mom tried to refuse this generous and touching gift, they emphatically insisted that she keep it.

A word of advice here: be careful about complimenting too many things (like ornaments, decorations, etc.) in an Albanian home. Their hospitality, generosity and desire to please you as their guest may compel them to give you the very thing you are complimenting. For example, let’s say you like a painting on their wall and praise them for how beautiful it is– don’t be surprised if they actually give it to you as you are leaving.

Can you imagine if this endearing aspect of Albanian hospitality played out in a similar fashion in American homes?? “Wow, I really like your Plasma 54″ Flat Screen Television” you comment during a visit to a new friend’s home…(hint hint). Nope, no bite.

Well, this is a very unique characteristic to the Albanian culture and one that makes indelible impressions upon all those who visit this lovely country! I often tell people that Albania is a like a magnet– once you visit this country and spend time with Albanians in their homes, you’ll be drawn back to visit again and again.

Photo courtesy of: Gaston Thauvin

With the remains of roman candles and black cat firecrackers littering the ground throughout Albania’s capital city, we enter 2010. Tirana will sleep for 2 solid days as stores, cinemas, and even the most populated coffee shops are closed for hibernation. Baklava is fresh and bountiful in homes, having been made the 2 or 3 days prior to the New Year, to welcome all those who venture outside their homes to make the rounds of New Year’s visits at friend’s and neighbor’s homes as is custom here.

2009 has passed, 2010 is upon us. On blogs and in the news we see endless lists that cause us to pause for reflection on the past. “The best & worst movies of 2009.” “The 30 best posts of 2009.” “Best dressed of 2009.”

Though it is a great time for looking back, remembering the achievements and special joys of this past year, pondering the challenges we’ve experienced and the ways we’ve grown through them, many of us would prefer to look forward with anticipation of a new beginning, a chance to get things right, gain a fresh start, set new goals and make necessary changes so that 2010 is a better year, or even “the best year yet” as many New Year’s well-wishers express.

As I transition to a New Year and New Decade, 3 timeless truths that I can cling to enable me to move forward with hope and anticipation, not worry or dread.

1. His mercies are new every morning, every day of the year—not just once a year.

Perhaps for many 2009 held financial difficulties, job loss or great personal sorrow that resembles Jeremiah’s bitterness in the Book of Lamentations… “I’ll never forget the trouble, the utter lostness, the taste of ashes, the poison I’ve swallowed. I remember it all—oh, how well I remember—the feeling of hitting bottom.” (Lam. 3:19).

Despite how difficult and painful the past has been, there is reason to hope. Just 3 verses later we read, “God’s loyal love couldn’t have run out, His merciful love couldn’t have dried up. They’re created new every morning. How great is your faithfulness! I’m sticking with God… He’s all I’ve got left.” (Lam. 3:22-24, The Message).

What gives me great hope is that His mercies are not new just once a year, upon the arrival of the New Year, but every day, they reach down to us in whatever despairing situation we find ourselves in. God’s loyal love is a reality, for each of the 365 days in 2010.

2. Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever.

In pondering the happenings of 2009, while I could easily dwell on the difficult circumstances we’ve faced– my father-in-law being diagnosed with cancer and business clients who haven’t paid their bills among others, I’d much rather bring to mind the countless ways we’ve seen and tasted God’s goodness and faithfulness in our lives, even through challenging trials. So as we head into this New Year—what a great truth to cling to—God is constant, unchanging, steady, solid… just as He has shown His faithfulness to us throughout the past year, He will continue to do so in this new one.

3. God holds the future, so I can relax (not worry) and focus on today.

Not knowing what the future holds can be scary and even intimidating at times. But God is all about embracing today, just as His name is “I Am.” I don’t need to walk with trepidation into 2010 with worries, anxieties and “what if’s” flooding my mind— doing so would only paralyze me and keep me from moving forward.

Instead I can cling to this wonderful truth– God is sovereign and He holds the future. His will is good, pleasing and perfect for my life, so I can take one day at a time, living in His strong embrace, knowing that His grace is sufficient for all that I’ll face today and every day.

As you enter 2010, what truths give you hope, courage and joy in facing a New Year?

Photo by: Konrad Mostert

One of the distinguishing sights you’ll see on your first visit to Albania are the numerous concrete bunkers or pillboxes dotting the landscape. During Communism over 750,000 of these bunkers were built to provide protection from potential enemy invasion.

As an American living in Albania I’m continually fascinated by these bunkers. Whenever I travel to different cities, I’m enraptured as I gaze on them, sometimes surprised by their placement, high up on mountains tops, or their arrangement, seeing several in a row just a few feet apart. I’ve seen the creativity of Albanians who have put them to good use– building a garden around a bunker or with the very large ones constructing a coffee shop, restaurant or night club.

I asked TCLH how he viewed the bunkers when he was growing up and he said they were a “child’s playground” in which he and his friends forged their childhood memories.

For the older generation, these bunkers at one time symbolized strength, protection, refuge, indestructibility…

But with the passing of Communism, they serve only to remind Albanians of a past era ruled by a dictator who sought to keep them isolated from the outside world and fearful of imperialistic enemies.

When I reflect on a true refuge and source of protection in today’s world of conflict, war and natural disasters, verses from Psalm 46:1-2 bring comfort and encouragement to my heart:

“God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble. So we will not fear, even if earthquakes come and the mountains crumble into the sea.”

Unlike the bunkers of Albania that lie in waste scattered across the country, God is an ever-present fortress and sanctuary for us… He is eternal, His power is awesome, His promises are true. He invites us daily to take shelter in His presence and receive grace and strength for all of our needs.

“O my people, trust in Him at all times. Pour out your heart to Him, for God is our refuge.” (Ps. 62:8)