The Usually Dead Week Between Christmas and New Years

Was actually a lot of fun.

I was able to work at the NGO, and do some more research on Tuesday. Then I was able to hang out with some of my new friends at their houses throughout the week. Even some video games occurred. But that was more of the girls pressing random buttons and the guys actually playing. but, hey we won once or twice!

On Wednesday, the DCM (second in charge at the Embassy) hosted a "Holiday Reception" for the Public Affairs portion of the embassy and local contacts. I was finally able to meet Brian, the guy in charge of the section that deals with the Fulbrighters. And a few other contacts were possibly made to meet more NGOs.

Secuirty Briefing

On Tuesday Jen came in from Tetovo to spend the night so we could all go to the Security Briefing together the next day. And it was rainy and cold for the first time.

It rained all day.

On Wednesday we woke up and went to the Embassy. Our program started at 10:30 officially, but we were told to be there at least 15 minutes early so that we can get through security. We had to give up our passports to the nice Marines/local security forces at the door. Then walk through security, and like the US Consulate in St. Petersburg we had to turn off and give up our cell phones. (I had learned from there not to even attempt to bring in my chapstick! Or bottle of water.)

Then Gazmend, the “Educational Affairs Assistant”/main point of contact at the Embassy, came and got us to show us where to go/we weren’t allowed to be on our own. At one point he said “Welcome Home!” And in a way, it was true. All US Embassies are US soil, so we were kinda home.

Once all 5 of us arrived, we began with a security briefing by the “Regional Security Officer” (because her real term of “agent” has negative connotations in some countries). The good thing is that nothing really bad happens to Americans. The last “attack” was non-sexual in nature against a women who was jogging alone with ear plugs in in a remote place of the city in 2006.

We will however possibly have demonstrations about anything or everything. And like any big gathering, they have the possibility of turning violent.

Also, since traffic laws are different and accidents are common, always be careful. I mean you have to dodge mopeds, scooters, bikes, cars, trucks, semis, and donkey drawn carriages.

You may face pick-pockets (but never in a family or women with children). And if you are silly enough to leave stuff out in the open in your car, then it might get broken into and stolen. (like some KFOR guy’s camera last month)

Also, there are no Good Samaritan laws, so we are advised to turn and go the other way. Which, for me goes against all of my CPR/First-aid/CERT training. (Don’t know what CERT is? Check it out here and then get involved!)

We also got to talk to /”meet” the Ambassador for about 10-15 minutes. He seemed nice and genuinely interested in our projects- however, this is his second week in Macedonia as an Ambassador. (I arrived in country before him by a week. Lol). He said he wants to follow our projects or whatever gets published from them.

And I observed something weird- everyone stands when he (or any Ambassador would be my guess) or high level embassy employee comes or goes. Like they walk in the door/leave/get-up and everyone stands. Like we are back in the 1500s with Kings or Queens or in the Military. It seems a little antiquated to me. “Well it is a sign of respect,” you say. Then why MAKE people do it? Is it still respectful if you are required to do it?  But, hey this is just my personal opinion. (And I will totally be the ones mandated to stand in a few years [hopefully] and will do it, but…still kinda weird to me).

We then got to talk to Carolyn, the Consular Section Chief, who told us about services for American Citizens and she mentioned the safety issues we might encounter.  We can mail our ballots from there (but not taxes, as those are considered private compared to public voting?) and have things notarized. But we can’t get fingerprinted (a worry for me as I will need it done for Teach For America next spring).

Then, Agron a Program Assistant who oversees the Small Grants given to local non-profits, told us about the grants and encouraged us to help some local NGOS write grants for projects to get funded. He was really nice too.

Then closing thoughts, and lunch in the café they have. I had „помфритс“ and „шопска салад“ or French fries and shopska salad (cucumbers, tomatoes, and cerene (which they translate as feta, but it is not feat as we know it in the states).

After we left (and got our passports back) Daniel, Jen, Lizzie and I caught a taxi back downtown. We met Angie, Daniel’s wife, at Ramstore with the kids and had a yummy desert. I got this cake with vanilla cream, whipped cream thing covered in chocolate with chocolate sprinkles!  For only 80 denar or abour $2. And it was soooo yummy. And filling.

 The Embassy had also given us a welcome packet with some helpful words in Macedonian, taxi numbers, hotel numbers, things about tipping or pharmacies or other living information for those living in Skopje. However, the packet is technically for US Embassy staff and families as it had some info that didn’t pertain to us Fulbrighters, but was still good information.

See you around the globe!

*There are no pictures to accompany this post, as it is forwned upon to take pictues in, around or of government buildings in Macedonia*

9-11 Memorial Day

Today we remember.

We remember where we were, what we were doing, how we talked to, and how we coped.

We remember what we lost and those who lost all.

We remember those who gave all to help others and those who first stood up to terrorism in Pennsylvania.

We also note what has changed. Never will we walk into an airport without remembering what has changed in our lives. The security that we roll our eyes at now, that we gripe and complain when we have to take our shoes off or not take liquids in.

We gave up some of our rights to feel safe, and many wonder now- did we do the right thing? It is my belief that we will never know the answer to that to satisfy everyone who asks.

On 9-11-2001, I did not cry. I was in 7^th grade and didn’t know how this would change my life. I remember a teaching telling me that the attacks could not happen in the US and to return to my seat so we could get on with class when I asked him to turn on the TV to check the news.

When I try to explain to people how much I feel my life has changed only those who are in my age group seem to truly understand. It is hard to explain when the world changes when you are 12 how much you change with it. How much you accept other information or absorb it different than an adult. Yes planes crashed in to the World Trade Center (which , by the way- I didn’t know what they were or where they were), the Pentagon, and a field in PA- but I never thought that terrorism could happen in the US. I mean we had Pearl Harbor and the War for Independence- but those were so long ago.

Then came the question: why? Why did they do it? What did those people do to make those terrorists made? Why did (do) they hate America?

Then later came the more difficult answers: Because they hate what America stands for, and Americans because of their government. They wanted to make a statement. The people had done nothing.  But these were hard to understand in 7^th grade. Now I grasp that it is even more complicated than any of the answers provided to me back then.

I will never comprehend why it happened.

But I will never forget.

So that is why today I participated in a Memorial Walk sponsored by the US Embassy here in Skopje. Me- someone who actively would drive or take a bus to avoid walking. But this event was life changing.

The t-shirts had a logo on them that has a word I think sums up the American response and my personal feelings.

Something they can’t take away from us:

Resilience