We've just recently returned from another trip to Albania. We went from September 22 to October 1st and Tad's mom Nancy accompanied us. It was a great trip and all went very smoothly. We were able to arrange for our transportation and hotels with Hope for the World, with whom we have been sponsoring Juri during the past year. Roger & Cherie Mullins are in Georgia and they do a great job. They put us in contact with Perparim (who I met last year with the Herrings who adopted little Viola who is doing great by the way). Perparim met us at the airport and he and the driver took us to Vlore right away when we arrived. We got there about 4:30 or so on the 23rd and pretty much just went right to sleep. We again stayed at the Hotel Pavaresia which was great. We got to see the Bledi and the same hotel staff we had gotten friendly with last year, which was fun.
A mission group from Illinios and Delaware (who we contacted through Hope for the World) was also going but arriving a day later and staying 2 days longer. Our next morning we went and visited Juri and the other children at the orphanage. Only Juri, Behari and Adisa were there from last year. Most of the same staff were still there and it was fun to see them too. These ladies do a great job taking care of all the kids! Albana (who also works for Hope for the World) met us there and gave us some updates: Oltsi was adopted into Canada, Alma and Abel were adopted to Italian couples, Matilda went back to her mother as did Paola, Jeni and Emi were moved to a different orphanage in Durres. Alma and Abel both have glasses now and I'm told that both are doing much better now that they can see properly.
Juri is much the same -still non-verbal, but less aggressive to some extent. He doesn't slap, kick or bite nearly as much. He likes to be held, but only if standing and still wants to run everywhere. He needs someplace with a big, big yard. We had him outside everyday and he loves to run and play on the merry-go-round and the slides. I think he would sit on the swing set if I would push him for hours.
Over the course of the past year, Albana took him to a couple of different doctors for his eyes. The first was in Vlora and there he was given some drops and a prescription for glasses which they did not get at that time. She also took him to Tirana to a specialist (we were concerned he might need surgery). She said that trip with him was very difficult-it was very hard to have him in the car for that length of time. It sounds like she had a lot of bites and bruises from the cab ride. (Can you imagine if he had to fly for 10 hours?) Anyway, the doctor was very kind and generous and did not charge for their time -which was wonderful. We are paying what we can to help with the costs and any little bit we can save helps a lot. The doctor said he doesn't need surgery but that we could have a brain scan done if we wanted. I'm not sure what it should/would show? While we were there we took the prescription to an optometrist and had some glasses made for him. We could tell that he could for sure see much better with the glasses on -hopefully they won't get broken! Tatiana (one of the caregivers whose home Juri stayed at for a short time) is pretty good with him. Juri seems to like her and listens to her somewhat -she can usually get him to keep them on. We're hoping for the best.
So while we were there we did some painting on the outside walls in the playground. Other members of the group were working on the shelters on the roof (where they dry the clothes), touching up the painting of the inside murals and repairing the jungle gym. They didn't want us to paint over the murals and paint new ones, and they didn't have very much paint, so we did what we could to clean it up and brighten it a bit with what we had.
The mission group was kind of funny -they stayed to themselves. When I had spoken with the minister before leaving I indicated that we'd like to join with them and do some stuff (just general fellowship, go to church with them, go to eat, etc.) but they pretty much did their own thing. In fact, they would just disappear around lunch time and most times we didn't even notice they had left until they were gone. They were friendly but like I said, kind of kept to themselves. We helped with what we could and when they ran out of paint for us, we just played with the kids. Which was great and I don't think the kids see all that many people so it might have been for the best anyway.
We brought over clothes, toys, candy, cookies and Nancy even managed to bring a tricycle in her luggage! The kids loved it -they played with that and the Big Wheel we sent over in May for Juri's birthday a lot. They ride them up and down the halls on the inside and outside.
We also saw a lot of Keti & Elidon, our friends that we met last year that run the internet cafe in the Riviera. They tell us that they might not have the lease for the place renewed in December -which would be a bummer as we love having that so close to the Pavaresia. The power was out a lot more this year (and at random times whereas last year they kind of always knew from 2-4 it would be out). It was handy to look out the hotel room balcony and be able to see if the light was on at the internet place (so we'd know the internet was working -no power, no internet). Anyway, we saw them a lot this year. Keti (who I thought worked for an Italian adoption agency actually works for that and something to do with youth in Vlora too -she knows everyone -we couldn't go anyplace without her knowing LOTS of people), anyway, Keti is friends with the optometrist who got us Juri's glasses made in just a few hours and for a reasonable price. We had a great dinner with them at a hotel down the beach by the tunnel. It was fun to see so many friendly faces again.
Tad's mom wanted to shop-she was looking for handicrafts and there weren't a lot of them for sale. I think she really enjoyed the kids and thought everyone was so nice. She also thought it was a beautiful country. It was good to have the time with her. She lives about 6 hours from us so we don't get to see her as often as we'd like.
There are a number of new babies at the orphanage. Dashnor, Arion, Berta, Teuta, Aldi and Taulant. Very cute. I think Berta is being adopted by a family in Italy. Aldi and Taulant are new to the orphanage. Of the kids in Juri's room, there are just four others. Behari and Adisa who I believe have family in Albania. Ermal who I couldn't get any information on and Adhi who I believe they said was the child of a woman by her sister's husband -but I couldn't tell if they were still involved or if he is up for adoption. Either way, they are all cute kids and I hope they find families soon.
It was very hard to leave again -but not nearly as hard as last year. At least this time we knew we couldn't take Juri home. Our same driver brought us back to Tirana for one night as we were leaving on the super early flight the next day. We stayed at the Stephen Center the last night. When we arrived we checked in and walked around looking for something to eat (Tad was seafooded out if you can believe that). I suggested we check the Stephen Center restaurant, but Tad was wanting something "different." After walking for an hour, not finding anything and ending up at the Stephen Center we decided to check out the menu -Tad thought it was the best thing ever. He was sooooo happy. They have everything there from Mexican, Chinese, American, and good food. The people there are very nice and the rooms are nice too. They have wireless internet which is good too.
And that's it -one long flight home (by the way those Lufthansa A-340's with the individual TV's are pretty sweet) via a couple of connections and here we are. Still trying to have a child join our family but very blessed in many other ways.
