Thursday, August 29, 2013

Kosova Lesson #1

After packing way more luggage than I have ever packed in my life (while still feeling like I might like to take more with me) and a long day of traveling on full flights, I finally arrived in Kosova last Sunday.

During my three hour layover in Frankfurt I happened to meet three other ASK teachers, another newbie like me and two returning teachers. We also met another American who was returning to Kosova to continue his craft beer brewing business (which involves brewing IPAs and ambers, which apparently are not readily available here). After what seemed like a crazy-long layover and a crazy-long shuttle ride from the gate to the actual plane we began our short trip to Pristina.

Once we arrived, going through passport control was no trouble and though our brewer friend had some trouble at customs, the whole thing was relatively hassle-free. All except securing hand carts for the luggage. It was the third batch of carts that the guy brought out before I was able to get one for all my bags... every time he showed up a mob surrounded him and took the carts before he could even get to the distribution point.

Outside the very small airport we were met by people with signs and somehow managed to fit all our luggage into the mini-van. The airport is about 20 minutes outside of the city and Kristin, an ASK teacher, gave us the rundown on somethings and tried to help us get our bearings (unsuccessfully, I would say; I still feel a little lost if I'm not on the 4 streets that I know... I need some more time!). I was the first to be dropped off, and we lugged all my bags up 5 flights of stairs to my new apartment.

It's small, but enough. It has an open kitchen-living room area with a small bathroom and bedroom off the main room. I also have an adorable balcony, which I can access from my bedroom or living room. There was lots of light streaming in my windows, I decided to lay down on my couch and stretch out a bit. Kristin and Emily were going to come back in an hour and we'd go get some a little something to eat and some supplies.

After my little nap, I went in my bathroom to wash my face and put in my contacts. I smeared face wash on my hand and flipped open the faucet. sputtering. sputtering. nothing. I tried the kitchen. the same. I sat and fumed a little. and tried again. and again. and again. When Kristin and Emily showed up again, I learned

Kosova Lesson #1: The water gets turned off midday in residential buildings.

So we went to a restaurant where I was able to wash the soap off my hand. We got some food - a delicious yogurty-bread thing with some spreads (amazing), some beers, and a little salad (you know, to be healthy).


When I got back to my place with some basics from the grocery store I tried to unpack. Really, I did. It didn't really work out so well... I slept some more.