Kafe

Now I know what you’re thinking... Nicole is in Albania. There are no Starbucks in Albania. How will she survive?  Valid question. But have no fear. I have found a solution that might even, dare I say, top Starbucks *gasp* … The solution: Turkish Coffee.

Mmm… so good.  Not only does it taste good, I know how to make it, it doesn’t cost a fortune, I don’t have to leave my house to drink it and did I mention how good it tastes.

I’ve never really been a coffee drinker.  It’s true. Vanilla latte drinker, now that’s a different story.  I much prefer a latte or mocha to a cup of coffee.  And the few occasions I would drink coffee I would fix it like a latte, a shot of coffee and the rest cream/milk, never did I add sugar to the mix though.

Here the ratio of coffee to milk to sugar is perfect. One spoon coffee, one spoon sugar, the rest milk. It is a creamy drink, not too sweet, and strong enough so you can taste the coffee flavor. Oh, and did I mention the cups we use to serve the Turkish coffee are the size of a tea cup you would use to have a tea party with a 4 year old... tiny. 

Here are a few things that you should know about Turkish Coffee:

The coffee itself is the texture of powdered sugar.

The pot you brew it in is small with a long handle on the stove.

Never drink the last sip. Unless for some reason you like drinking coffee grinds. 

Drinking coffee is huge here. Men go to the local coffee bars and sip coffee all day. Women stay at home and drink with friends and enjoy the fellowship in the home.  I’ve also heard that the cup of coffee you make will determine what kind of wife you will be and this skill is favored while choosing a woman for your son to marry. This is why I’ve started making it my second week here; hopefully I can prefect this art by the time I leave. Though I’m not so sure this skill will help me find a husband when I return to the states. But at the very least I’m sure I can add it to my resume: Master- Pro Turkish Coffee Maker.

making coffee

Smells delicious (this picture may have been posed.)

enjoying coffee on our balcony

mmm. mmm. good!

Nicole & Katie in Albania: Video Update 2

Are you enjoying the video updates? Here is the second in the series. Check back often for more videos. And if the videos are not your cup of tea I'll post a written update soon. I promise.

Nicole & Katie in Albania: Video Update 1

Here is a new video update from Katie and me. It is supposed to be funny so please don't take it too seriously. We use video journals to debrief our days.

Disclaimer: I do own more than one shirt, it just happened that this video was taken the same day as the house tour.

Welcome to Albania

I made it.

I'm here. In Albania. And it is good. It is hard to believe it's just approaching a week that we've been here.

Katie and I flew out on Monday morning. It was tough leaving the fam. but really it was just a see ya later, not goodbye.

God is good. When we got to the airport both our bags made the weight limit (they didn't even weigh Katie's bags) and we didn't have to pay the second bag fee. whhaatt?? We even called ahead to check on prices and weight before we got there so we were shocked to find we didn't have to pay. We had a 4 hour layover in Charlotte so I was able to meet Katie's family before heading out. And... we wee both able to get some sleep on our long flight to Germany. Dawn Bishop was waiting at the airport for us when we arrived in Albania and the rest is history....

It's summer. It's really hot but everything is new and exciting that we barely notice all the sweat dripping down our faces. Ok, that's a lie, we do notice but we try not to let it bother us. I don't know how to explain it, but being here is right. It just feels right.

Now I will take you on a video tour of our house-

Check back often for updates on life in Albania, new videos and how God is working over here.

See ya Later!

Thank you to all of you who came out to our send off service. Once again I am just totally overwhelmed by the support and encouragement of so many wonderful people in my life. It's such an awesome feeling to know that I will be covered in prayer, that no situation I face will be to big for God and that He has everything under control. I'm also thrilled that so many of you got the chance to meet Katie as well!

My bags are packed. I'm feeling good. Excited. I'm ready to take the next step in this journey.

It's been amazing watching the way God has been working in my life this past year and I'm so excited for the many surprises and adventures He has planned for the next two while I'm in Albania. I know it's going to be great. It might not always be easy, but it will be great.

Listed below (and to the left) is my mailing address. Just to kill any curiosity I should inform you that I do like mail...a lot. (Katie's address is the same, but would read: Katie Hawkins instead of Nicole Schara)

Nicole Schara

AEP Box 41

Kutia Postare 119

Tirana

Albania

Also for anyone interested, to the left, you can subscribe to my blog via email.  This just means anytime I update the blog you will receive an email informing you of the update. This way you don't have to keep checking... All you have to do is enter your email address in the box that says "follow my blog by email"

Welp... See ya later!