Impressions by Dan Gray

So many thoughts.

I know I've never thought about the fact that we do not have new graveyards created by random and intentional bombings, or by the killing of women,children, fathers, grandfathers, etc. And that the graveyards are not from conflicts on Park Avenue or bombings on West 2nd Street. I talked with one parent who said, "We are thankful that the Americans have helped us regain our freedom." "They have never turned their backs on us."

On the other hand there is so much beauty here, architecture, mountains, lakes, rivers. And I've not come across a person who hasn't offered ahand shake or a hello. It's kind of like they are in the nineteenth century with horse drawn produce wagons and cows grazing in the park, and the 20th century is across the street in the internet cafe. One interesting thing happened the other night. We had returned to our common meeting place after a long day traveling to an old Albanian Marketplace and to the mountains to visit a trout farm and restaurant. The vehicles were somewhat spread out and with poor communication. Myself and two other adults were left with three children at about 10:30PM. While we were fretting and planning about how to get these kids to their respective homes, the youngest boy about 4 foot tall simply said, "I'll be right back." and ran down the street. Now we were left with two children and one missing child. I thought that he had simply went to the corner to check directions. I was beginning to worry when he didn't come back right away. A few moment later a cab pulled up to us with the young man inside. I guess he was tired of us trying to come up with the solution so he just came up with his own.