SJ7 - Beautiful Albania and the tale of the selfie stick

I've made a couple references to using a selfie stick in these posts

over the last week.  Let me bring you all into the loop so you will understand why.   A few weeks ago, I purchased a selfie stick through Amazon, thinking that it would make it easier for Tami and I to get good shots of both of us in all the places we are going to visit. I am not a big taker of selfies, but I thought it sounded like a good idea.  Then, one fateful Tuesday, Andy and Travis saw modern wonder on the table from my office and began to laugh and take good-natured digs at me for owning selfie stick.  Undaunted, I proudly stated that it was specifically for my trip.  I can take the ribbing - I certainly give it out, so to get it back was not a surprise.  Anyway. . .when we packed up and left for our trip, I was saddened about half way to Istanbul to realize that I had forgotten to pack the selfie-stick!!!  Not to worry though - there were street vendors in Istanbul selling this amazing modern narcissist enabling device!  So, i simple bought another one - I had planned to get some kind of gift for Travis while I was traveling anyway.  So below you can see the beautiful, hot pink selfie stick I purchased which enabled beautiful pics today  It will be a welcome gift to Travis upon my return.  Try to control your excitement, Travis  . . .and yes, the hot pink was so that it will match your eyes!



Today was another wonderful day in Albania!  We began by going to meet with Bledi an Albanian leader in the Church of Christ in Tirana who is also the Director of the Bible School where Olti and Sojana, attend. He was in town today to teach class. We were able to have coffee with him beforehand.  It was a real joy.  Some of you may know that Bledi was at one time financially supported by the Conejo church.  He spoke very highly of Tim Pownall. He also asked about Emily Pownall's health,  He is concerned and praying for her.  We were  also joined by Altin, from Fier and his wife Vosjana. In the picture here, Bledi is on the right with the white shirt. Vosjana is the woman who is not Tami. :-)

Tom had to meet with students to teach English classes, in the afternoon.  So after coffee with Bledi, Altin and Vosjana,  we took a brief jaunt out to an ancient monastery called Adenica.  We were fortunate to find and care-taker there because the monastery is still used at times as an Orthodox Christian church, but it is not always open. The caretaker told us that it operated as a monastery between 1,000 and 1,600 a.d.  Inside, the chapel walls were completely covered with amazingly detailed icons depicting the birth of Mary and the life story of Christ. It also had painted images of the Apostles and of Paul.  the wood craftsmanship for the round pulpit was exquisite.  It looked almost like gold leaf, but it was polished wood. I wish I could have taken pictures of the interior to share with you, but he would not allow it.  I did, however find some images this afternoon from Google search and have them for you here.


Returning from Adenica, Tom needed to go meet with a student. This gave Tami and m some good quiet time at Tom's home. It felt so good to just rest and reflect on where we have been so far/  I got caught up on posting pics to Facebook from our time in Istanbul.  We also both sneaked  in a little nap. Ahh...

A few hours later, Tom picked us up and we went to the church office, where English classes are held.  There we met with a few students and several of the ladies who teach English and help Tom in the administrative work of the church.  I took the opportunity to grab a picture of us all in a selfie!  We hope to take a trip with these lovely ladies later on in the week, I will tel you more about them then.