It's The Same Old Song

School started two weeks ago. After staying up late during the summer, it's hard adjusting my sleep schedule to these early (and loud) mornings. However, teaching is going better than expected. Today, a large group of dedicated students held a celebration for "The European Day of Languages." The event included songs, dances, dialogues, and power points in at least six different European languages. Though I expected to be exhausted after the event, it's amazing how ten hours of sleep can help you meet such a strenuous day.

At the end of summer, I took photos of the rooms at the Peshkopi Hostel for their website. It was a great learning process. My lens wasn't wide enough to capture the whole rooms. I ended up going there about three or four times. Each time, I did something a little different and felt that I learned something by the end. Or, at least, I feel more competent than before.

Today's track is "It's The Same Old Song" by the Four Tops. Another post-unrelated track, just part of the soul vibe that I've been in lately.

In front of the hostel with the new sign

The newly created "Ginger Bar"at the Peshkopi Hostel. I can't wait to start playing some Les Baxter and Martin Denny there. 

The hostel's new dog, Ginger. Truly a cosmic coincidence, since my dog back home is also named Ginger.

Pictures that I took of the hostel for the website

Again

Again

It Is What It Is

Two days ago, I went to a waterfall around an area called Pocest. I'm a little hazy on the specifics of the location. However, it seems that Albanians are too.

A friend told us that the waterfall was thirty minutes from the city of Machellare. Once we got there and had walked forty minutes, a local told us that it was another hour and a half. All in all, the trip up the mountain took close to four hours. Then, the trip back down was a little under three.

Towards the top, I became a bit light headed and felt ready to throw in the towel. Of course, I'm glad I didn't. On a blistering hot summer day, the waterfall was cool and fresh. After showering off under the waterfall, the trip down the hill felt like a breeze.

For no particular reason but I've been listening to it often, today's track is "It Is What It Is" by Blood Orange.

One the way to Pocest

Picking up trash! 

Overlooking Dibra

On the way. It's hard to explain, but this is about two and a half, almost three hours into the hike. We traveled through the forest below, cut past the rock face in front, and hiked up to where the waterfall was. The tip of the waterfall is a thin stream that's barely visible in the photograph.

Waterfall

My best friends in the Peace Corps

Bonfire

Blue Sky Avenue

The GLOW (Girls Leading Our World) Camp in Peshkopi took place this week. Starting Tuesday (8/19), it ended Friday (8/22). Another volunteer and I organized the event. However, in terms of interaction with the girls, the camp was primarily run by the female volunteers.

On Wednesday, I "helped" out the Peshkopi hostel by taking pictures of a rafting trip. We floated down the river for close to five hours. Of course, the views were gorgeous but the company was even more outstanding. Later that night, we cooked spaghetti bolognese and bruschetta at the hostel. It was definitely one of the better days of my life.

School officially starts September 15th. Until then, I'm gonna try to recharge my batteries completely before the start of the new year.

Today's title comes one of original crooners, Gene Austin.

GLOW Camp

My buddy Ernesti (Nasty) and I. 

Rafting

Peshkopi Backpackers Hostel staff. The owner surrounded by his managers.

The interior of Illir's car