Landed Safe

I am on an office computer with limited internet (should be remedied soon) so I can't upload pictures right now. But my next post will be sans words, and only pictures.

I just wanted to update everyone that I made it safely to Pristina. I am currently living just south of downtown, about 2km away. I am living on the 5th floor (top) of the University building, in a pretty spartan dorm. There is also no A/C, but being on the top floor allows me to keep my windows open and the evening time is very cool.

Pristine is definitely going to be an interesting time, English is very limited from most of the non-University people I have met. So I should have some good opportunities to learn Albanian and/or Serbian (I need to find out what my co-workers speak the most too)

I have a great view from my dorm, one that I think showcases Prishtine. (You'll see me switch between the two spellings, just whichever ones my fingers feel like typing) It's bleak looking, though every building has Spanish-style roofing (tiles and such) so that is kinda cool. Everything is rather colorful, with many shades of red. Also the mountains are in the background. Kosovo is basically a plain surrounded by mountains, and Prishine is closer to the edge.

It is currently the dusty season, one of the deemed three seasons (winter and muddy, chronologically) and I definitely noticed that when I took a cab from the airport. The dust, mainly due to it being dry and there is construction everywhere, mixed with the fumes from the car definitely made my eyes feel wonderful, by c'est la vie.

The Start of an Adventure

   August 29th, 2012, the day that I leave for my 6+ month adventure to the Republic of Kosovo.  I will be working at Universum University College in Pristina, (The Capital City) making a pittance in terms of money.  So I am gonna say this should be a great trial run for the future in the Peace Corps, hopefully.  As a part of my job, I will be traveling through 4 cities (Pristina, Ferizaj, Gjakove, and Prizren, see below.) quite regularly.

   At the University, I will be teaching/tutoring/academic support for the students of the 4 campuses and then working with their International Relations department on my non-travel days.   (3 days in the office, 2 days traveling each week) 

   To give some background information:  Kosovo is a recently independent state (July, 2008) from the Republic of Serbia (though they still don't recognize them as an independent state)  and is the poorest in Europe. (is on the EUR, though Per Capita GDP is $6500, US is $49000)   

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