We got a dog on Saturday. &nbspAs early as our ride in from the airport on Tuesday, Paula and Wakie told us about a puppy that their neighbors on the Ridge had rescued. (“The Ridge” is Rilindja Ridge, and embassy-housing compound. &nbspIt looks like a well-done Virginia subdivision, and many of the embassy families with children live there.) &nbspOther embassy personnel sang his praises as well. &nbspWe met the puppy on Friday, took him home Saturday night, and renamed him Cooper. I’ll post a photo once I have internet access from home, but to describe him, he has short dark…

Dust, motor exhaust, sweat, garbage, cigarettes, but also grilled kebabs.

We woke up early. &nbspAbby headed off to work at 7:30 AM, and I left the house around 8:30 AM. &nbspThe plan had been to buy a newspaper, spend an hour or so sipping an espresso at one of the kafes, and make my way leisurely to the Embassy to check e-mail and otherwise see what was going on. &nbspThen I wouldthink of something else to do (all of our books and other household goods still being in transit, I don’t have a lot of options). &nbspAnd after 6 hours of walking the streets of Tirana and sitting in cafes,…

We arrived in Tirana at about 11:30 AM Tuesday after an uneventful flight out of Dulles International Airport. &nbspAfter collecting our luggage, we were met by our sponsors from the embassy, Paula and Wakie (Political Officer and Management Officer, respectively), who brought us to our house. &nbspThe house is furnished, and there was a welcome kit with towels, dishes, etc., and Paula and Wakie had done some basic food shopping for us, so we were well-enough situated to start. After looking around, Abby and I set out into the heat and dust of Tirana to look for some lunch. &nbspWe…