This very thought-provoking article from BalkanInsight.com brings to light a momentous need of better translations not only of Albanian literature, but of all sorts of languages interpretations. They are the key to greater understanding of cultural differences in the world, and, in many cases, especially in legal matters, are critical for the just outcome of whatever is being dealt with.
I not only agree with the idea proposed in the article for Albania, but especially applaud the last paragraph and hope that the knowledgeable and educated Albanian diaspora will respond to the wished-for challenge. It's a great way to contribute to your country of origin even from far away!
Friday, June 25, 2010
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
Differences
After a few days of walking in my neighborhood to shop, today I took a bus to go to an appointment in midtown, and for some reason my attention focused on the traveling crowds. I realized having made similar observations months ago, but now after a long stay in Albania, I couldn't help noticing greater contrasts in the population on the move between the two countries.
It was mid morning, thus the younger set supposedly was already at work in NY. These days work places and offices have flexible hours and the old "rush hour traffic" that ruled the streets of NY (in early morning and late afternoon) for decades is a way of the past. The traffic pattern now is more or less the same all day long.
The majority of people I was watching today, lined up at every stop, represented the older set, most of them meticulously well dressed and some accompanied by a care taker. Lots of them carried canes, some took more time to get on and off by themselves, others needed special help by requesting the lowering of the platform that can load and unload wheel chairs. Dealing with the continually increasing number of elderly, in addition to the never ending heavy vehicular traffic, NY buses have slowed down their traveling pace and their waiting time. Thus, if you miss one bus, you patiently have to wait for the next, and by the time it arrives the riding crowd has considerably increased in size.
Except for Saturday and Sunday afternoons, when most citizens are resting or have left the city for the nearby beaches or mountains, Tirana's traffic is also heavy all day long until the wee hours of the night. Fewer are the bus lines, but the service is very frequent. Most people, young and old, walk a lot to their destination because the distances are not as great, and the public transport services only the major boulevards and not the cross streets.
The elder population that walks Tirana in mid morning consist mostly of men, also very neatly dressed, usually wearing business suits and hats. They take care daily of the family food shopping, facilitated by the availability, every couple of blocks, of local farm, extremely fresh, produce, and loads of small and large markets. Their spouses usually remain at home to take care of house chores and cooking. After the main meal of the day has been consumed by the family in mid afternoon, the couples are eventually seen together in late afternoon strolling along the avenues, or visiting friends or relatives.
Personally I know a very spry 90 year old man, who gets up every morning at 4am, prepares breakfast for the entire family, and then goes out to do the shopping. Another 80 year old professor that still teaches law at the University takes a long morning walk around the great park every day, rain or shine. Based on this kind of daily life I can understand why very few people in Albania use canes, or walkers, or wheel chairs to be mobile.
In contrast with NY is that Albania is a country with the youngest population in the world, who, to my great surprise, is extremely respectful of its elderly. Most of them, however, populate the many cafe` at every hour of the day, probably due to high unemployment rate. The seniors instead congregate in the various city parks to play chess or cards, or walk their grandchildren to whom they are very dedicated. They represent the nucleus around which the family spins!
It was mid morning, thus the younger set supposedly was already at work in NY. These days work places and offices have flexible hours and the old "rush hour traffic" that ruled the streets of NY (in early morning and late afternoon) for decades is a way of the past. The traffic pattern now is more or less the same all day long.
The majority of people I was watching today, lined up at every stop, represented the older set, most of them meticulously well dressed and some accompanied by a care taker. Lots of them carried canes, some took more time to get on and off by themselves, others needed special help by requesting the lowering of the platform that can load and unload wheel chairs. Dealing with the continually increasing number of elderly, in addition to the never ending heavy vehicular traffic, NY buses have slowed down their traveling pace and their waiting time. Thus, if you miss one bus, you patiently have to wait for the next, and by the time it arrives the riding crowd has considerably increased in size.
Except for Saturday and Sunday afternoons, when most citizens are resting or have left the city for the nearby beaches or mountains, Tirana's traffic is also heavy all day long until the wee hours of the night. Fewer are the bus lines, but the service is very frequent. Most people, young and old, walk a lot to their destination because the distances are not as great, and the public transport services only the major boulevards and not the cross streets.
The elder population that walks Tirana in mid morning consist mostly of men, also very neatly dressed, usually wearing business suits and hats. They take care daily of the family food shopping, facilitated by the availability, every couple of blocks, of local farm, extremely fresh, produce, and loads of small and large markets. Their spouses usually remain at home to take care of house chores and cooking. After the main meal of the day has been consumed by the family in mid afternoon, the couples are eventually seen together in late afternoon strolling along the avenues, or visiting friends or relatives.
Personally I know a very spry 90 year old man, who gets up every morning at 4am, prepares breakfast for the entire family, and then goes out to do the shopping. Another 80 year old professor that still teaches law at the University takes a long morning walk around the great park every day, rain or shine. Based on this kind of daily life I can understand why very few people in Albania use canes, or walkers, or wheel chairs to be mobile.
In contrast with NY is that Albania is a country with the youngest population in the world, who, to my great surprise, is extremely respectful of its elderly. Most of them, however, populate the many cafe` at every hour of the day, probably due to high unemployment rate. The seniors instead congregate in the various city parks to play chess or cards, or walk their grandchildren to whom they are very dedicated. They represent the nucleus around which the family spins!
Sunday, June 20, 2010
Happy Father's Day
to fathers everywhere, even though fatherhood is celebrated on the 3rd Sunday of June only in the majority of countries, and not around the world.
El Capitan - Yosemite National Park
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
Back in NY
Thinking of what usually expects me when I return home after a long absence, I was not eager to leave Albania and get back to NY.
Sure enough I found a huge pile of mail and paperwork that took me hours to sort out. The jet lag must be dealt with, while dozen plants that always survive while I am away are thirsty and need a lot of pruning, the dust that permeates NY even when the windows are kept closed, has to be eliminated, left over bills have to be paid, the laundry attended to, the windows washed, and so on.
It's a never ending cycle that, however, this time was lightened by an unexpected coincidence. My return happened just a day before my birthday, and it turned out to be quite pleasurable because, while in the midst of the above chores, I had pleasant and surprising interruptions. I received several phone calls from local and overseas friends, online messages, regular greetings cards and even flower deliveries....Wow!
Am tired, but, overwhelmed by what's around me, onward I go, hopefully, in good health to tackle new plans and new experiences, but remain surrounded by loving people!
Sure enough I found a huge pile of mail and paperwork that took me hours to sort out. The jet lag must be dealt with, while dozen plants that always survive while I am away are thirsty and need a lot of pruning, the dust that permeates NY even when the windows are kept closed, has to be eliminated, left over bills have to be paid, the laundry attended to, the windows washed, and so on.
It's a never ending cycle that, however, this time was lightened by an unexpected coincidence. My return happened just a day before my birthday, and it turned out to be quite pleasurable because, while in the midst of the above chores, I had pleasant and surprising interruptions. I received several phone calls from local and overseas friends, online messages, regular greetings cards and even flower deliveries....Wow!
Am tired, but, overwhelmed by what's around me, onward I go, hopefully, in good health to tackle new plans and new experiences, but remain surrounded by loving people!
Monday, June 14, 2010
Switch of life style
The last week in Tirana was hectic. As usual, notwithstanding all my efforts to conclude plans and chores on time, I am affected by local circumstances, way of life, and people's habits.
When in Albania I have the distinct impression of not being in control of my time because I always have to wait for someone else, or for something else to happen before I can proceed with what I need or wish to do. Many, many times I experienced the same feeling also when in Italy. What I am referring to does not apply to vacation or pleasurable trips, when mind and body are set to relax and rest, but to ways of conducting any kind of business or related issues, which I've had to deal with for decades.
This is the exact opposite of how I live and function when in NY, where for over half a century I've grown accustomed to accomplish both personal and business plans in an organized, and efficient manner. European life is very different and more enjoyable since it includes a more even balance of work and pleasure. This is probably why many U.S. visitors cannot understand our harried daily way of living, which, by default, carries with it a greater amount of stress to which we all adapt to. Let's not underestimate that, during our daily activities, we also have the disadvantage of covering greater distances by the very nature of our geographical setting.
Overseas things get eventually done, but in a way that generate a different kind of hassle, for me actually an aggravation due to time constraints, the outcome of which, as a consequence, is less satisfying personally.
Notwithstanding all of the above, and having had to postpone again my return at the last minute, I've accomplished much of my planned undertakings also during this trip. The reentry was not uneventful, thanks to the incorrect performance by the airline employee that handled the rearrangement, but I am now back in my NY base, safe and sound.
When in Albania I have the distinct impression of not being in control of my time because I always have to wait for someone else, or for something else to happen before I can proceed with what I need or wish to do. Many, many times I experienced the same feeling also when in Italy. What I am referring to does not apply to vacation or pleasurable trips, when mind and body are set to relax and rest, but to ways of conducting any kind of business or related issues, which I've had to deal with for decades.
This is the exact opposite of how I live and function when in NY, where for over half a century I've grown accustomed to accomplish both personal and business plans in an organized, and efficient manner. European life is very different and more enjoyable since it includes a more even balance of work and pleasure. This is probably why many U.S. visitors cannot understand our harried daily way of living, which, by default, carries with it a greater amount of stress to which we all adapt to. Let's not underestimate that, during our daily activities, we also have the disadvantage of covering greater distances by the very nature of our geographical setting.
Overseas things get eventually done, but in a way that generate a different kind of hassle, for me actually an aggravation due to time constraints, the outcome of which, as a consequence, is less satisfying personally.
Notwithstanding all of the above, and having had to postpone again my return at the last minute, I've accomplished much of my planned undertakings also during this trip. The reentry was not uneventful, thanks to the incorrect performance by the airline employee that handled the rearrangement, but I am now back in my NY base, safe and sound.
Thursday, June 10, 2010
An unresolved Albanian issue
A traditional problem that still persists today in Albania is the matter of blood feuds.
This century old custom, based on the long established law known as the "Kanun", still produces untenable situations today, as described in this recent article by BalkanInsight.com.
Now, probably for the first time, a movie on this subject has also been completed in loco that depicts what afflicts several family lives especially in the northern part of the country.
This century old custom, based on the long established law known as the "Kanun", still produces untenable situations today, as described in this recent article by BalkanInsight.com.
Now, probably for the first time, a movie on this subject has also been completed in loco that depicts what afflicts several family lives especially in the northern part of the country.
Saturday, June 05, 2010
Work in progress
After my Italian guests returned home, my work schedule resumed in full force last week.
While in the midst of networking, negotiations, and legal matters, which are taking quite a bit of time daily, and spill over sometimes onto the night hours, I squeezed in time, here and there, to advance as much as possible the plans for the physical setup of the offices that will be able to use a wing of my property.
Electricians, carpenters, painters, and cleaning personnel are making quite a bit of progress, which will continue throughout the summer.
Water, electrical services, windows and doors fixtures are all fixed, new venetian blinds and telephone are installed, old computer is refreshed, and online connections are fully operational.
In addition to some, just received, donated furniture for a 2nd office room, I obtained estimates for special cabinetry that can be installed for the eventual library, once the major physical work is completed inside and outside the premises.
Also made a few new purchases to add necessary furnishing and equipment for a more complete functioning by the fall.
The shipment of books of all sorts (in 3 languages), historical documents, recordings of training materials, collections of scientific and technical papers, etc. that I accumulated throughout the years of my professional work, and arranged for shipment from NY to Albania this spring, is currently crossing the Mediterranean sea and will reach the Albanian port of Durres around June 25.
These resources will be added to the publications already donated in loco and will form the library of the organization we are setting up in Tirana for educational purposes of its younger population.
What remains to be done now is to find funding sources to staff appropriately the organization so that it can function and grow in the future.
While in the midst of networking, negotiations, and legal matters, which are taking quite a bit of time daily, and spill over sometimes onto the night hours, I squeezed in time, here and there, to advance as much as possible the plans for the physical setup of the offices that will be able to use a wing of my property.
Electricians, carpenters, painters, and cleaning personnel are making quite a bit of progress, which will continue throughout the summer.
Water, electrical services, windows and doors fixtures are all fixed, new venetian blinds and telephone are installed, old computer is refreshed, and online connections are fully operational.
In addition to some, just received, donated furniture for a 2nd office room, I obtained estimates for special cabinetry that can be installed for the eventual library, once the major physical work is completed inside and outside the premises.
Also made a few new purchases to add necessary furnishing and equipment for a more complete functioning by the fall.
The shipment of books of all sorts (in 3 languages), historical documents, recordings of training materials, collections of scientific and technical papers, etc. that I accumulated throughout the years of my professional work, and arranged for shipment from NY to Albania this spring, is currently crossing the Mediterranean sea and will reach the Albanian port of Durres around June 25.
These resources will be added to the publications already donated in loco and will form the library of the organization we are setting up in Tirana for educational purposes of its younger population.
What remains to be done now is to find funding sources to staff appropriately the organization so that it can function and grow in the future.
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