Nicole & Katie in Albania: Video Update 10 - HALLOWEEN EDITION

Halloween. The one holiday I thought I wouldn't miss being in the states for. And really, I'm not missing it that much. Costumes. Parties. Decorations. Not really my cup of tea. Carving pumpkins and candy on the other hand, that's what I'm talking about.

Halloween (Hallouini, in Albanian) is not a traditionally celebrated holiday here. In the last few years it has become popular in the big cities but only at bars as a way to make money. It is celebrated similar to ways that would be seen in Hollywood movies. Costumes. Loud music. Partying. (or so I assume/have been told, I haven't actually been to one.) Here, kids don't get dressed up and trick-or-treat throughout the neighborhood and pumpkins are for cooking, not carving. But get this: any and every time we visit an Albanian home we are served candy. It's like Halloween 365 days a year and I don't have to get dressed up in costume. It's definitely one part of the Albanian culture that I've come to enjoy.

Katie and I couldn't resist buying pumpkins the other day when we saw them at the market. We brought a little bit of Halloween to our home in Albania.  Check out our HALLOWEEN EDITION Video Update and pictures below.

Nicole & Katie in Albania: Video Update 9

Perhaps you were wondering what Katie and I do for fun on rainy days. Or maybe not. But we wanted to show you anyway.  So without any further ado, here is our new favorite rainy day activity.

Behind the scenes: Katie directing.

Behind the Scenes: Nicole in front of the camera.

Disclaimer: this video evokes a lot of emotion. Please use the bathroom first.

Working Hard

Monday morning Katie, Danika, and I worked hard for our breakfast. Katie and Danika demonstrate what it’s like to crack walnuts the Albanian way. With. Your.  Bare. Hands. Prior to eating walnuts in Albania I thought I had a decent amount of strength. I was proven wrong when I discovered it took me 5 minutes to muster up enough strength to crack a walnut with 2 hands and all my might. Real Albanians make cracking them with one hand look like a piece of cake. Us on the other hand… Let's just say it's a good thing Katie and I have 2 years to practice. 

My Neighborhood

Perhaps you are curious to know where I live. Well, I mean, I know you know that I live in Albania. And if you've been following my blog from the beginning you've also been on a tour of my house. BUT until this point you have not seen too many pictures of the neighborhood/community where I live.

Early one morning last week, Katie (my missionary partner) went out on a photography adventure and captured some pictures of the Kenet. She has generously given me permission to post a link to her blog here so you can see some of the pictures (with captions) that she took. Hope this gives you a better visual as to where we are living. Enjoy!

Click here for the neighborhood tour