Kidnapped

How exciting a unplanned kidnapping can be!!!!  Yesterday, after a Roots and Shoots meeting with Marisa and our youth club, we met up with Marisa's friend who was going to Tirana for a haircut.  A friend of hers, who has a private car, was going to be driving her, so we jumped in for a free visit to the capital.  

Our plans, however changed somewhere along the way.  We ended up in Durres, a city along the beach, a city with an awesome shopping center and import grocery store.  Marisa and I were so excited...this was our chance to stock up and Spicy Heinz Mustard, blue cheese and name brand cosmetics!  After wandering up and down the isles, yes isles, we began to make our selections.  I bought yogurt, cheese, and other things that don't make it to Berat.  The center even had a camping store, where is bought a real yoga mat!

We left the shopping paradise and on the way home, stopped for a beach front dinner.  Our driver, Petrit Cobo, the owner of the only real winery in Albania, treated us, and then we were back in car headed for home.  

We left Berat around noon, not sure where the day would take us, and we were returned about 10 pm, with full stomachs and grocery bags, but empty pockets.  So it goes....life as a Volunteer!