springtime in my NY neighborhood
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Spring showers?

Where did April go? Oh...., I know! A lot of my time went into gathering, like most people in the US did, personal financial data for the preparation and mailing of the annual tax returns required by Uncle Sam. Although that has been taken care of, I still remain involved in similar tasks for the foundation I manage. Corporate returns are due next month.

The first half of April was exceptionally cold and dry. Attending to chores, such as taxes, was quite a natural thing to do indoors. But in the last few days we are enjoying a spurt of unusual hot weather. It feels like we jumped into summer, and we have not even had spring with its typical showers. This outburst, however, short as it may be, was enough to bring all treets to a full bloom, and to activate sudden allergies even in people that nornally are not affected by them. It's interesting and very pleasant to see Manhattan lined with flowering trees along avenues and streets. What a change from decades ago when there was no planting of any kind, and, except for parks, gray cement was reigning almost everywhere on this island!

This is also a good time for all sorts of spring cleaning, when everyone is energized by the splendid sunshine and the fresh breezes blowing through the open windows! The amaryllis on my kitchen window sill, planted last December and bloomed by Valentine's day, is also gaining brand new leaves and shoots, and I....am off to some aerobic exercises in the pool that I frequent when time allows me. Let's go : it's a period of renewal!

Surprises.....

Last week, just in time for the upcoming Easter holiday, interesting information reached me suddenly, via email. It should not have surprised me since I have had previous similar experiences, especially in the past 5-6 years, but, nonetheless, it did.

Thanks to the marvels of modern technology, which I have tried to keep up with since I got into this field more than 30 years ago, I heard from another relative that I didn’t know existed, and is even closer to me than I ever dreamed.

He is another member on the paternal side of my family, who ‘found’ me thanks to the website that I have created in the name of my family about 6 years ago. As a college student, doing research online and discovering family relations on the part of his mother, he excitedly got in touch, and, to my great delight, I have since obtained additional input on one of my father’s sisters and her descendants.

About 12 years ago, in returning to Tirana (Albania), where I originated from and lived as a baby, I made a great discovery in the National Archives. I found a family tree, handwritten by my father, which traced his male ancestry all the way back to the year 1444. This was the only time when Albania was really independent from centuries of foreign invasions, thanks to the leadership of its national hero, Giorgio Kastriota, who became known in history as “Skanderbeg”. Unfortunately this state of freedom only lasted during his life time. In addition to foreign occupations, several wars and dictatorships also played a great part in separating family members.

At the opening up of Albania, after the fall of communism, I was contacted by old friends of my family and thus began my return to the country that I never thought I would see again. In the past decade I have had many occasions of visiting other areas inhabited by Albanians not only within the current borders and the state of Montenegro, but also the large Albanian diaspora in the US and Europe. Many are the relatives I found and this process continues to today. The family tree initiated by my father is getting greatly populated with data from a variety of sources, and it now contains almost 600 specific names, covering both maternal and paternal relationships.

Spring holidays

Spring is officially here, but snow and chilling winds are still present
in the NY area. Colds are making the rounds, and boots are still a must, while everyone yearns for warmer and sunnier times....... Patience, patience, my friends!

Meantime, just enjoy the upcoming holiday and have a serene Easter day.

On the road again

Departure time out of Albania is scheduled at the crack of dawn. Thus, the ride to Tirana’s airport takes place in the dark at 4:30am, and is quick (only 20 minutes) due to the lack of the usually congested road traffic. All international travels start this early so that the passengers can reach their destinations within the same 24-hrs day.

The small, and now being modernized, Tirana’s airport presents itself well, and is full of activities and people, drinking coffee and smoking. The latter is a real bad problem, still allowed here, and I find the air unbearable to breath, although we are in a large waiting area. Finally, as the reddish light of dawn appears on the horizon, behind the sharp and clear mountain profiles, in this still very cold day, we board our flight to Italy for a further connection, later on, to New York. I feel lucky that my return will not be affected by another Italian airline strike, scheduled in the next 24 hours.

Busy Times

Another busy and fruitful week in Tirana, but dotted with pleasant moments with interesting and valued people. Conducted intense negotiations and made a couple of good business contracts, while meeting also a couple of new, bright and eager to work, young ladies, fluent in at least 3 languages. Had the opportunity to have leisure lunches and dinners with old acquaintances, who were also keen in helping out in whatever they can.

It’s a pleasure to see some of the young people I have been dealing with in the past few years gaining business experience, growing in knowledge and taking successful steps into, and control of, their future! These are the people that are bringing the country forward into the modern world of nations.

One interesting personality I have known for a while is an esteemed historian and a successful writer, who spends most of his time in old state archives and the public library. He painstakingly researches even ancient documents, in more than one language, which no one else would even think of dealing with, and he is a bottomless well of knowledge.

He has undertaken on his own to do research also about one of my family members: my father, ex Chief Justice of the Supreme Court and Member of the Council of State, in his time. He has uncovered historically valuable documents about him and his judgments, which, once published - he believes - could positively inspire and influence the younger generations of today and tomorrow. Albanians are very proud of, and greatly value their history; now that they are free to do so, they are eagerly trying to document publicly this valued past.

Our lunch together one day was also a pleasant experience. While discussing some of his research and findings he wanted me to taste some of the real Albanian dishes at a small, and unpretentious, restaurant, run by an old family of local restaurateurs. For the ‘big’ amount of about $10.00, including wine, everything was fresh, prepared in no time, and delicious! There is no substitute in enjoying the country, except with a real and erudite native!

Weekend

Due to the inclement weather everyone is staying indoors, and I also take advantage of it to rest, sleep, and work at my computer both Saturday and Sunday.

This afternoon, however, I was invited at someone’s home thanks to some friends of mine. It was again a pleasure to meet another very nice Albanian family. They reside on the 9th floor of one the new apartment buildings in the city and here they enjoy all the comforts of modern life. The grandparents are old enough to have known a member of my family in the 1930’s and have vivid memories of those days. One of their two daughters, married with two children of her own, is a dentist by profession and her husband owns a very successful photocopying business at the street level of the same building where they reside. Everyone in the family speaks 3 languages fluently and the young ones are delight to converse with. Among the usual goodies that are offered to guests, today I was introduced to a new delicacy: real tiny eggplants (the size and length of a finger), which, after an elaborate preparation, turn into candied fruit in heavy syrup and are stuffed with walnuts. Real yummy!

On the way back to my apartment, I am able to do some shopping for staples at a nearby supermarket. Some of these markets are packed with goods, including many imports and one can also always find fresh local vegetables and fresh bread at any hour of the day and well into the night.

Back to work, tomorrow!

Craving for sunshine

The weather in Tirana during my first few days here is exceptionally cold. This year the winter is bad everywhere and Albania is no exception. The capital rarely sees snow on the ground, but the mountain chain of Dajti, surrounding the city on the west, is snow capped and since my arrival on Wednesday it has rained continuously.

Today, Sunday, the sun finally peeked a bit through the low, and still dark, clouds in the late afternoon, and the wind has picked up speed. The streets are really a mess since many of them have large potholes, and, with the large puddles there is mud everywhere because of the high concentration of dust that still permeates the city, also plagued by heavy smog. When it rains the air seems cleaner, but this city is, unfortunately, one of the worst in Europe for breathing. With many on going constructions, and street repair work, there is also no smoking policy in effect in public places.

I have been quite busy in important business meetings, which are giving so far excellent results, but I feel quite tired and try to pace myself accordingly. Luckily, the electricity that was lacking at times last year, seems to function pretty well now and it’s very helpful to be able to use the equipment available for such purpose in the apartment I rent. Tirana has no city wide alternative for gas heating so far, but many citizens that now enjoy owning their own residences, are buying and installing this facility in their own units, using part of their balconies for the storage of the gas tanks.

Spring here generally comes early, and with its bright sunshine the midday hours can be really quite hot. The unusually hard winter, especially in the northern areas and towns (where the situation is always critical due to lack of facilities), hopefully will end soon!

Today's travel

Just some notes to let me my friends know I've arrived safe and sound in Tirana this afternoon.

Delta could have left NY "on time" (notwithstanding the snowy weather and the previous night storm) if it was not for a passenger that didn't show up, while his luggage was checked in (!?!). Regulations about this sort of mystery require that the bags must be removed from the airplane, if the passenger does not make the flight. Thus, we lost more than 35 minutes doing that....Then the transatlantic crossing was disturbed by some turbulence during the trip, but no major problem. However, we lost additional time during the flight due to contrary winds, and thus arrived in Milan more than an hour later than expected (10am).

By this time I had kissed goodbye to my connection for Albania, but, to my great surprise, I was nonchalantly told by Alitalia that their fight to Tirana was delayed and still at the gate, so I rushed like crazy to catch it.

When I got there, I found many Albanians quietly waiting, with forlorn faces, but not even a soul of a staff to answer queries....For a moment I thought I missed the flight, but that was not the case. It was scheduled for 12noon, but no one bothered to announce the change! Finally one woman showed up at 12, and took her sweet time to answer questions and then to check everyone.....

At this moment more surprises were to come. Usually these flights are accessed via the movable stairs, after a bus delivers you along the plane, which is parked somewhere in the open spaces of the airport. This time the short bus ride downloaded the passengers instead near an entrance into a tower like building. Here everyone had to climb two (2) flights of round about, marble stairs only to find the usual tunnel that leads to the plane’s entry door. Not a moaning was heard, not even from an elderly couple and a mother with baby, who were having extra difficulty ascending with their hand luggage and paraphernalia in hand….this new, whole approach of getting on board left me totally dumbfounded!

Last, but not least, before our arrival in Tirana 2 1/2 hours later, the meal service served on board. Up to last year it used to be a tiny sandwich, plus a slice of cheese and a small dessert. Now it’s called a special treat and it consists only of 2 tiny cookies, or 2 (Italian style) saltines….. your choice of course!

Rinas airport was bustling with activities and an enormous movement of passengers and luggage. I never saw previously so many planes from varied airlines on the tarmac; but everything moved along pretty quickly. With the usual courtesy at passport control I was again recognized of being of Albanian origins, and thus exempted from paying the required entry fee for foreigners, although I carry an American passport. Albania is coming up in the world!

Winter woes

The stormy weather of this past week is worrying me. My travel plans are set, and would be difficult to change them. Thanks to Internet I check and recheck with my air carrier, and eventually make to Kennedy airport, with no problems.

The Supershuttle (so called Blue Van) that I booked came early, and the friendly driver was quite chatty while making the rounds of pick ups in the city proper. Then, while riding through unknown streets of the borough of Queens, not normally used to reach the airport, he actually entertained everyone with a recorded concert of Placido Domingo, in some of his best arias. In a dreary day, a very relaxing way to start a trip!

The airport check in and security processing (including getting dressed and undressed with shoes, jackets, belts, and other assortments) was speedy and unproblematic.
Off I go to Europe!

A crisp, chilly day at the U.N. - the sun is peeking in and out of clouds! Hosted by Hello

Day at the U.N.

Thanks to a friend's invitation I was a guest for a special visit at the U.N. to view the "Auschwitz " exhibit , followed by a luncheon in the Delegates' dining lounge.

The exhibit is an interesting mixture of video presentation, with large black and white photographs on display, together with ax excellent collection of penciled drawings made by a Russian soldier on letterhead paper of the German Commandant of the camp, at the time of liberation!

The large dining lounge overlooking the East river is filled with people of all sorts, chatting and moving about to serve themselves at the buffet tables, displaying a variety of international dishes. The whole place offers a very relaxed atmosphere with excellent food and a great view.

Spring is coming!

.......the Christmas present bloomed just in time for Valentine's Day!
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Busy February

This is quite a busy month. Most of the action takes place even without me leaving my desk or residence. Heavy communication is taking place , mostly electronically, and by phone. Bottom line: my presence is needed overseas, and traveling plans are in the works again.....

Meantime, I am trying to squeeze in a few sessions of physical therapy for my aching neck and shoulders, which have impaired my movements a lot in the past few months. Got to be in good physical shape to hop another plane and cross the Atlantic again!

Nature's life cycle

Old poinsetta is shedding its luxurious winter leaves, but young amaryllo is budding just in time for spring.......
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January woes....

For me January seemed to go out, tranquil as it came in, or so I thought! A life disrupting event was lurking under the floor of my apartment......

Today I found the parket tiles in one corner of my living room soaking wet and buckling!! My prompt discovery and the intervention by the building staff makes it possible to at least contain the damage temporarily during this weekend. The plumbers will fix the leak (that stems from 2 floors above mine) next week. It's a big job, since my wall had to be broken into, my furniture moved, and everything parked somewhere. It's going to be a while until I can get back to normal. Unfortunately this is not the first experience of its kind in the aging building.

The funny part is the temporary arrangement waiting for final repairs: rags are tucked into the hole of the dripping wall and changed twice daily, just like diapers.....:-)) !

NYC snow blizzard aftermath - Jan. 2005
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Snow Blizzard

The first real big snow storm of this winter has blanketed NYC in the past 24 hours. I had saturday night plans of joining friends for a birthday gathering at the French Culinary Institute, but am glad to stay home. Even this dining facility closed its place by midday because of the forecast. Its' a perfectly good time to catch up on accumulated paperwork!

The high winds are strangely blowing the snow sideways, ......I have seen many storms in the city, but don't remember ever seeing windows half covered by a thick white layer that is sticking to the glass, and not only accumulating on the window sills. Real weird scenery.

Chores

The 2nd week of this month was a busy, but a dreary one. The reality of the new year imposes a cleanup and reorganization of last year expenses, especially the ones related to all my travels with the handling of 3 different currencies! It's also a time for physical checkups and medical tests -- fortunately, all good so far!

Installed a brand new LCD flat screen monitor on my desktop without a hitch. It's 19" viewing area is great, but it's spoiling me. I now find it difficult to deal with the smaller characters when I need to revert to my laptop. Lots of cleanup and backups are also a must on both machines, in addition to the annual review for archiving of business files. All real necessities, but a monotonous and boring time!

Solutions

Well....a brand new monitor is on the way, and some pictures are posted next to the travel experiences of last year (see October and November postings).

There is a solution to every problem - it's just a question of putting the mind to it!