Dear Friends,

I thought I would drop you all a note from Albania with an update on what’s happening. It has been incredibly busy with ongoing camp managment projects as well as determining what capacity CARE can assist with the repatriation of refugees. The signing of the peace agreement is wonderful, however, our work is cut out for us for the next few weeks and/or months!

Tirana remains hot, humid and dusty. Water is becoming a scarce resource — yesterday our office was without running water for most of the afternoon. It makes for an uncomfortable day when you have no toilets! As summer wears on, Albania will become increasingly dry. If only Albanians saved the water they use for washing their cars — I am amazed at the constant activity at the car washes across the street. They take great pride in the automobiles, to the extent that they will forego bathing for clean cars!

Although it is Saturday the CARE office is humming with activity. There are almost 60 expatriate staff in the country now and more expected soon. Our office is a revolving door — people are in and out of meetings; staff is shuttled to and from the field; other NGO representatives are here for meetings and so forth. I work in the “Back Office” with 4 or more other staff (it varies by day and number of chairs available!) With any luck I will have some free time tomorrow, but I will believe it when it happens.

This past week I travelled to Fier where the USA built Camp Hope. CARE manages the camp and we went to meet with the staff and assess needs. It was an incredible experience! I have attached a travel journal entry for you to read as well as some digital photos. I hope you can open them!

My transport home from the camp was aboard a US Navy helicopter. The military welcomes staff from humanitarian agencies to hitch rides to and from the camps. It was so cool! I hope the photos of the chopper and me in helmet come out (they won’t be developed until I return home.) We somehow became part of a US General’s entourage and visited Camp Eagle (it probably will not open due to the peace accord.) The military personnel were unbelievably helpful and acommodating. Once back at Operation Shining Hope base, I found two needed staples — Diet Coke and peanut butter. I was in heaven and could have kissed the officer who gave me the goods! It’s the little things in life...

I am doing fine but miss the comforts of home. It is exhausting work and I will certainly need r&r when I return (as well as a good bottle of wine!). I hope you find my writings interesting and enjoy the photos. I’ll be sure to write again — and thanks to all of you who have sent me notes!

Cheers, Mary