Visiting

Tending to relationships is important here. More so in the villages than in the city, but still, folks visit. Saturday night we visited a family nearby – Dan and their son have become occasional buddies. Our language teacher went along to translate for us. We arrived around 6:30pm, took off our shoes outside the front door and all gathered in one of the two side rooms. One of the girls allowed each of us to rinse our hands in a bowl as she poured warm water from a pitcher.

G and H have six children. They invited us for Iftar, the evening meal during Ramadan. Twelve of us gathered around a small rectangular table as an assortment of food was placed before us. The most prominent dish was fli (flee), a national bread dish often cooked outside with hot coals. Dishes and bowls with cooked peppers, sausage and cabbage slaw were placed around the large circular pan of fli. We all reached and picked and shared which is typical for meals here.

Conversation was brisk and predictable – mutual greetings, kids, work, family history, Kosova independence. We spoke warmly about our transition into Albanian culture and shed some light on our American home and the loved ones we left in the states. Our different faiths did not get in the way, even now during Ramadan. God’s (Zot) name was mentioned in both Muslim and Christian context yet never muddied or restricted the topic at hand. We were two faithful families, genuinely interested in each other for friendship’s sake – we both thought being nice to others was paramount, kids shouldn’t cavort after dark, city life is too busy and politics often get in the way.

Julia and I are always grateful for the hospitality extended to us and the raw experiences our family takes part in. This family shared beyond their means and that is often the case when we are invited for a meal. We get the best from each family we visit. It isn’t excess or splendor – just smiles and friendship.