Gone, But Never Forgotten

A note to the reader: I wrote this on my last night in Albania but didn’t get to post it (for many reasons) until today.

As I sit in my apartment for my final night in Albania, my main emotion is relief.

I am relieved that I made it through a year here.

I am relieved that I made friends that will last a lifetime.

I’m relieved that I get to go home tomorrow.

I’m relieved that I will have good heath care again so I can stop being sick.

I’m relieved that I was able to travel without running out of money.

And most of all, I’m relieved that at the end of it all, I feel successful.

God has been by my side through every step of the way, and, if you’ve been following my adventure, you know there have been numerous ups and downs. I guess I’m sort of even ending on a down note, since I’ve been sick the last week. I had to cancel plans to go to Kruja, to go to Berat, to go to Durres, to visit the National Museum, to visit the National Art Museum, and to spend time with my friends and students here.

At the same time, being stuck mostly in my home for the last week has helped finally figure out just how important my relationships here have become. Aida came two days in a row to help me with various duties so that I could save my energy and rest. She ran errands, washed dishes, hung up laundry, and did a little cleaning. Neda came one day to do the same. She and Olsa and Ledio even spent the night here once—sort of to check on me, sort of to be able to stay a night in my apartment, and sort of as an excuse to be away from home. lol Aida and Neda both helped me with getting my last souvenirs to take home. Olsa and Neda have both helped with cleaning. And the Huna family (Neda, Olsa, and Ledio and their parents) even invited me to their home for my last dinner in Albania. Neda and I made the fixings for tacos but since we can’t usually get tortillas here, Mrs. Huna made petulla. Yum! Put them together and it’s kind of like a gordita. Tasty!

As if fighting of a mumps virus isn’t enough, this morning I woke up with my left eye swollen ¾ of the way shut. I had to go to the doctor anyway to pick up a copy of my records so I figured since I was going there anyway; I might as well just see the doctor, too. She said she didn’t see any reason why I should be concerned. She said it didn’t show any signs of severity and I didn’t exhibit any other symptoms to be concerned about. In fact, she thinks that because I’m fighting a virus and because my arms are covered in various bug bites--some bordering on horrendous, one that’s golf ball sized and swollen even on the inside of my arm—that she thinks the swelling of my eye is just my body’s way of over-reacting to either a mosquito bite near my eye (though we couldn’t find any bite site) or to something that got in my eye.

Hopefully it won’t cause me any problems on the plane. It’s a little purplish so really, it kind of looks a little like a black eye. Funny. Well, not really, but what am I supposed to do besides laugh? I’m frustrated, but it doesn’t pay to show it or dwell on that negative feeling. So instead, I just chalk it up to another way I’m allergic to Albania and laugh. So if they question me at the airport, I will make a smart remark in typical Katie fashion. Hee hee! Probably something like, “Moving across an ocean is dangerous! Watch out when you’re packing!” Or I’ll pull of the classic, “You should see the other guy!” Haha!

Mostly what I’m concerned about is getting enough rest tomorrow before I leave. My landlord and his wife are coming in a 7:30am to start cleaning. Whoa!!! That throws a major kink into my normal sleeping pattern. Plus, I was hoping to be well-rested when I wake up to face my last day.

After I get up and find a way to waste a few hours around here, it’s over to church to print all of my flight stuff—itineraries, reservation numbers, confirmation numbers, etc.—and turn in the keys to Agron and then say goodbye to he and Vitori. Then I have to say goodbye to the Huna parents. And then to all my students who live in that building. None of that will be especially easy. But I remind myself, “There’s no crying in moving!” because it’s not goodbye. Friends stay in your heart. You don’t forget them. God allowed them to be a blessing in my life for which I will always be thankful.

After that, Neda is coming back with me. She’s coming with me to drop off the wireless internet equipment and my phone to the man who bought it. There, I’ll be able to use their wireless internet to hopefully post this, to check my flight status one more time, and then to email my parents and Meghan, since they are my rides home.

Before and after that, we’ll spend some time weighing my luggage. I pre-paid for one extra piece of luggage. I know the weight on that is fine, but I think one of my suitcases might still be over. They lowered the weight limit by a considerable amount from when we moved over here. That makes packing a bit more difficult.

Helen and Lejda are coming to pick up some things that I’m giving them and for a final farewell. At some point, I’ll shower, so I’m a bit more clean and refreshed before heading to the airport when my ride picks me up at 6:15pm. The Huna’s have a cousin who owns a car and he’s taking me to the airport and charging me half of what a taxi would cost. I’ve met him and he did the same for Emily last week. Plus, I figure it’s a good way to get rid of the last of my lek since they won’t be very helpful once I’m out of Albania. This way, Olsa, Neda, and Ledio can ride to the airport with me. They don’t think I should go alone.

I’m a little afraid this will make the goodbye harder, but oh well. Once I’m past the security gate, I can relax and just let the waiting begin. From there on out, it will just be a whole lot of waiting. Waiting to board, waiting to take off, waiting to land, waiting to exit the plane, waiting to claim luggage, waiting at customs. Then on to the hotel for my overnight layover. Then waiting for the airport shuttle from Gatwick to Heathrow. Then waiting to check in, waiting to board, waiting to take off, waiting to land, waiting to exit the plane, waiting to claim luggage, waiting at customs, waiting for Meghan. Once I see her car, the waiting will finally be done. No more waiting to be home—I’ll be there! In my own country with my own friends, on my way to see my family!

In approximately 48 hours, Albania will be a part of my past. But the things I’ve learned, seen and done, the people I’ve met and grown to love, and the place that was completely foreign to me will forever be a part of me. No matter what happens next on the path God’s laid out for me to follow, Albania will always be a part of my heart—a very vital part of my life. For that, I thank God.

Before I head to bed, I would also like to thank all of you who’ve supported me, encouraged me, and been a friend to me throughout this past year. You’ll never know how your thoughts, words, and prayers have lifted me up when I needed it. I ask now that you keep my in your prayers one more time. Please pray for my health throughout this journey home and for safe, smooth, comfortable flights. God is good and he never fails. Thank you for that reminder.