Balkans United - Albania, Montenegro, Macedonia, Kosovo, Croatia, Bosnia & Herzegovinia, Greece, Bulgaria, Serbia

[sisibisi 0]

LOL, well this should be the Albanians thread. As far as my Bulgarian husband goes: He has about a week's worth of clothes...sort of, can't cook, and has some interesting ideas from his male dominated society, lol. Good thing is that he was raised by his mom and is respectful and neat. Actually he is much neater than I and picks up after me all the time. Lucky for me, he is willing to learn to cook, though while I was there in Bulgaria he WOULD let me stay in the kitchen for hours trying to make food out of the 5-10 ingredients available in Bulgaria (only slightly joking) and not come in to help or say 'boo'. As far as cultural norms:

1. Bulgarian men will eat anything, they don't want to waste things and will do their best to never throw anything away. He got mad if we ever had to throw anything out. He says he loves my cooking but can I trust that statement, lol?

2. When at a family gathering all the women do the cooking, serve the men, and stay in the kitchen nearly the entire time. It took me a long time to notice this because I was caught up with Metodi, but one night I realized that I was the only woman in a room full of men. I went to the kitchen to get a glass of water (because everyone was smoking and I hate it) and all the women were in the kitchen filling, cleaning and moving plates and chatting. O.o For a moment I felt guilty for not being in there too, lol. Then I got my senses back. I realized that this is how it always is, women pouring drinks for men constantly, refilling plates, going to fetch things for them, ugh!

3. I don't want to make a generalization since my husband is an Aquarius but HE very often goes into lecture mode like I'm a child and don't know what he's talking about. To me it's really amusing, I mean, I have a Master's degree... But it does get annoying. I did notice that he also does this to his mother. I wonder if all Bulgarian men have this feeling of being more intelligent than women and needing to be a teacher regardless of whether they know what they are talking about or not, lol.

4. Foriegners in general I bet, have some very funny ideas about the US... Before his friends met me they said, 'YOU MARRIED AN AMERICAN??? WHY?' All Americans are fat, greedy, stupid, RICH (ha) and loyal followers of our president, lol! His grandma suggested we go to McDonalds in Sofia for lunch one day so that I could have American food...I haven't been to McDonalds since I was in grade school. All Americans love McDonalds. Yum Yum Yum.

5. Food. If you do not like bread for every meal do not go to Bulgaria. If you marry a Bulgarian you will spend the majority of your grocery allowance on bread and yogurt. Interesting things I was given to eat are: pasta with milk and sugar for breakfast (overcooked pasta that is), more bread than I normally consume in a year, raw pork fat, turnip pickle juice, boza (lightly fermented, really thick prison hooch), ayran (1 part yogurt/1 part water drink), warm milk with honey (good), turkish pastries that are insanely sweet such as my husband's favorite; tatlia, and homemade yogurt (yuck!).

The good food: Sarmi (stuffed grape leaves), moussaka, local wine (yum), duner (shwarma), turkish coffee, homemade picked cabbage (I like it, I'm german *shrug*), FIG JAM (OMG GOOD), sirene (feta sort of) and kalamata olive sandwiches, snejanka salad (tastes like dip!), tarator (yogurt, cucumber cold soup), fresh fruit from the local trees, grilled fishes, turkey cooked with rice or cabbage instead of stuffing (yum), bean soup, and anything Baba Spaska made (she's a chef) except for the time she brought in a sheep's head on a plate and asked me if I wanted her to 'warm it up'.

I also figured out how to make chocolate chip cookies...for about $15! Next time I bring: one dollar brownie mixes and bags of chocolate chips!

My all time favorite snack was: bread with a little butter, loads of shipka (rose hip) marmalade, and kashkaval (the mozzarella-like cheese). Metodi thought this was gross, sweet and cheese do not belong together. Wait till I make him a cheescake, he'll change his tune...I think.

6. Family. Very important and all nice and intrusive, lol. I love them. I have a typical American, all over the country never see each other family. His family loved me and talked to me like I was 2. This is how you learn apparantly. Bebe za mama. His parents call me 'baby' and his mom has 1000 cute things she calls me. Oi!

7. Country. Everyone is patriotic but critical...much like everywhere. But you should have seen the Bulgarian flag coloured gym suits that I saw on so many men, lol. ROFL. They also have a really sad habit of littering and not neutering their animals. Bulgaria is an absolutely gorgeous country covered by litter and infested with mangy cats and dogs!

<3 Samantha

PS: you may now continue your Albanian discussion, lol.

I think you are so wrong about Bulgaria. Maybe you need to spend more time there and see how it is.

[Shpat_Argjira 0]

LOL, well this should be the Albanians thread. As far as my Bulgarian husband goes: He has about a week's worth of clothes...sort of, can't cook, and has some interesting ideas from his male dominated society, lol. Good thing is that he was raised by his mom and is respectful and neat. Actually he is much neater than I and picks up after me all the time. Lucky for me, he is willing to learn to cook, though while I was there in Bulgaria he WOULD let me stay in the kitchen for hours trying to make food out of the 5-10 ingredients available in Bulgaria (only slightly joking) and not come in to help or say 'boo'. As far as cultural norms:

1. Bulgarian men will eat anything, they don't want to waste things and will do their best to never throw anything away. He got mad if we ever had to throw anything out. He says he loves my cooking but can I trust that statement, lol?

2. When at a family gathering all the women do the cooking, serve the men, and stay in the kitchen nearly the entire time. It took me a long time to notice this because I was caught up with Metodi, but one night I realized that I was the only woman in a room full of men. I went to the kitchen to get a glass of water (because everyone was smoking and I hate it) and all the women were in the kitchen filling, cleaning and moving plates and chatting. O.o For a moment I felt guilty for not being in there too, lol. Then I got my senses back. I realized that this is how it always is, women pouring drinks for men constantly, refilling plates, going to fetch things for them, ugh!

3. I don't want to make a generalization since my husband is an Aquarius but HE very often goes into lecture mode like I'm a child and don't know what he's talking about. To me it's really amusing, I mean, I have a Master's degree... But it does get annoying. I did notice that he also does this to his mother. I wonder if all Bulgarian men have this feeling of being more intelligent than women and needing to be a teacher regardless of whether they know what they are talking about or not, lol.

4. Foriegners in general I bet, have some very funny ideas about the US... Before his friends met me they said, 'YOU MARRIED AN AMERICAN??? WHY?' All Americans are fat, greedy, stupid, RICH (ha) and loyal followers of our president, lol! His grandma suggested we go to McDonalds in Sofia for lunch one day so that I could have American food...I haven't been to McDonalds since I was in grade school. All Americans love McDonalds. Yum Yum Yum.

5. Food. If you do not like bread for every meal do not go to Bulgaria. If you marry a Bulgarian you will spend the majority of your grocery allowance on bread and yogurt. Interesting things I was given to eat are: pasta with milk and sugar for breakfast (overcooked pasta that is), more bread than I normally consume in a year, raw pork fat, turnip pickle juice, boza (lightly fermented, really thick prison hooch), ayran (1 part yogurt/1 part water drink), warm milk with honey (good), turkish pastries that are insanely sweet such as my husband's favorite; tatlia, and homemade yogurt (yuck!).

The good food: Sarmi (stuffed grape leaves), moussaka, local wine (yum), duner (shwarma), turkish coffee, homemade picked cabbage (I like it, I'm german *shrug*), FIG JAM (OMG GOOD), sirene (feta sort of) and kalamata olive sandwiches, snejanka salad (tastes like dip!), tarator (yogurt, cucumber cold soup), fresh fruit from the local trees, grilled fishes, turkey cooked with rice or cabbage instead of stuffing (yum), bean soup, and anything Baba Spaska made (she's a chef) except for the time she brought in a sheep's head on a plate and asked me if I wanted her to 'warm it up'.

I also figured out how to make chocolate chip cookies...for about $15! Next time I bring: one dollar brownie mixes and bags of chocolate chips!

My all time favorite snack was: bread with a little butter, loads of shipka (rose hip) marmalade, and kashkaval (the mozzarella-like cheese). Metodi thought this was gross, sweet and cheese do not belong together. Wait till I make him a cheescake, he'll change his tune...I think.

6. Family. Very important and all nice and intrusive, lol. I love them. I have a typical American, all over the country never see each other family. His family loved me and talked to me like I was 2. This is how you learn apparantly. Bebe za mama. His parents call me 'baby' and his mom has 1000 cute things she calls me. Oi!

7. Country. Everyone is patriotic but critical...much like everywhere. But you should have seen the Bulgarian flag coloured gym suits that I saw on so many men, lol. ROFL. They also have a really sad habit of littering and not neutering their animals. Bulgaria is an absolutely gorgeous country covered by litter and infested with mangy cats and dogs!

<3 Samantha

PS: you may now continue your Albanian discussion, lol.

I think you are so wrong about Bulgaria. Maybe you need to spend more time there and see how it is.

My parents have been there quite a few times, they said good things about it. This was along time ago now it might be 100x's better.

[mkg265 2]

yea, i could relate to every single sentence you just wrote. god bless your husband's sister, she taught him well. although i think they tend to believe that everything will change when they get married and that the wife will just naturally take on all of that responsibility (even if he knows perfectly well how to do all of those things). i tried to implement the system that you are talking about (whoever doesnt cook has to clean), but it hasnt work to my liking because he insists on leaving the dishes until 'later' when it is his turn, which i wont stand for...i want them done and i want them done right away so i dont have to see nastiness in my kitchen...so many times i end up cleaning them when its not my turn...he has gotten better though, i must say...if i can bring myself to leave a sinkful of dishes there long enough, he will eventually do them...i just cant usually bring myself to do it...my husband knows how to cook the same things that you mentioned, and i actually laughed when i read it because its 100% true...he ate what you described or pasta every night while living on his own in italy...for this reason i usually do the cooking as well...he never cleans clothes though, which is something i hate to do...i dont know if i will ever get him to do that...about the bed making, i think that is something important to them...i dont get it, i have never made me bed in my life, but he does it, so whatever. it makes no difference to me. oh yea, LOL to the 2500 calorie lunches!! albanians just dont get fat, lets be serious here.

are you still in italy? what city did or do you live in? we also met in italy (florence), while i was studying there =]

I live in Brooklyn(where I study my ### off to graduate early so I owe less money) and he is still in Albania (learning English, playing soccer, drinking raki, having coffee with the boys till 2am etc). We meet in Shots cafe in Jan, 2007 - its around the corner from Astor and the Duomo and I I lived there off and on till August, 2007 and came back in 2008 for a bit.

I think my husband lived there starting Feb 2006 till March 2008. If your husband is from the north of Albania and lived in Florence at the same time, they probably knew each other.

True, Albanians don't get fat... before 35. After 35, all bets are off. First the tummy goes (so flat from construction work...) then the hair either goes away or goes crazy (ears, nose, feet...) then they start to wear wool vests, fisherman hats, and slacks. At 55 all Albanian men must purchase a donkey. It's a law. It was passed along with the law that all Albanian women under 25 must wear tube tops and have visible panty lines in public. It was the Donkey-####### Act of 2005. (not all young Albanian women dress this way but a high % do in Tirana!) But don't worry, think about what 40 some Albanian women look like (after six kids, farm work, and black or red hair dye). You'll be a goddess to him.

See, I don't know what the future holds because we only would live together for a month and half and then I would have to return to America, pass 3-4 months part then then live together for a month and a half. So by the time I was thinking about smoothing him in his sleep, I would always have to go back to America.

(BTW ladies, I do make fun of Albania a lot but my husband makes fun of America equally- "Your president is so bad, why you vote for war in Iraq?!" "Really honey?, I was 17 when he was elected" He took me to McDonalds on a date once because I'm American and thus must love McDonalds. He also took me to Mr. Chicken in Tirana because American women love chicken. Well, I do love chicken but he took me because of a stereotype and not because of my actual love of chicken.)

[BabyBlueSusie 1]

I live in Brooklyn(where I study my ### off to graduate early so I owe less money) and he is still in Albania (learning English, playing soccer, drinking raki, having coffee with the boys till 2am etc). We meet in Shots cafe in Jan, 2007 - its around the corner from Astor and the Duomo and I I lived there off and on till August, 2007 and came back in 2008 for a bit.

I think my husband lived there starting Feb 2006 till March 2008. If your husband is from the north of Albania and lived in Florence at the same time, they probably knew each other.

True, Albanians don't get fat... before 35. After 35, all bets are off. First the tummy goes (so flat from construction work...) then the hair either goes away or goes crazy (ears, nose, feet...) then they start to wear wool vests, fisherman hats, and slacks. At 55 all Albanian men must purchase a donkey. It's a law. It was passed along with the law that all Albanian women under 25 must wear tube tops and have visible panty lines in public. It was the Donkey-####### Act of 2005. (not all young Albanian women dress this way but a high % do in Tirana!) But don't worry, think about what 40 some Albanian women look like (after six kids, farm work, and black or red hair dye). You'll be a goddess to him.

See, I don't know what the future holds because we only would live together for a month and half and then I would have to return to America, pass 3-4 months part then then live together for a month and a half. So by the time I was thinking about smoothing him in his sleep, I would always have to go back to America.

(BTW ladies, I do make fun of Albania a lot but my husband makes fun of America equally- "Your president is so bad, why you vote for war in Iraq?!" "Really honey?, I was 17 when he was elected" He took me to McDonalds on a date once because I'm American and thus must love McDonalds. He also took me to Mr. Chicken in Tirana because American women love chicken. Well, I do love chicken but he took me because of a stereotype and not because of my actual love of chicken.)

Hah. Yea I know Shot Cafe, I have been there many many times. I am certain that our husbands must know eachother. Mine lived in Florence from 2005 until December 2007. He is from Tirana. Umm I am actually from Brooklyn too, and we just moved in June because I am studying at Univ of Notre Dame in Indiana. Unfortuntely, my husband was unable to find work here, so he is going back to Brooklyn to stay with my family for a while and go back to his old job. That's some really weird coincidences. Us 4 should meet up when your husband comes to America.

[vareska 3]

I live in Brooklyn(where I study my ### off to graduate early so I owe less money) and he is still in Albania (learning English, playing soccer, drinking raki, having coffee with the boys till 2am etc). We meet in Shots cafe in Jan, 2007 - its around the corner from Astor and the Duomo and I I lived there off and on till August, 2007 and came back in 2008 for a bit.

I think my husband lived there starting Feb 2006 till March 2008. If your husband is from the north of Albania and lived in Florence at the same time, they probably knew each other.

True, Albanians don't get fat... before 35. After 35, all bets are off. First the tummy goes (so flat from construction work...) then the hair either goes away or goes crazy (ears, nose, feet...) then they start to wear wool vests, fisherman hats, and slacks. At 55 all Albanian men must purchase a donkey. It's a law. It was passed along with the law that all Albanian women under 25 must wear tube tops and have visible panty lines in public. It was the Donkey-####### Act of 2005. (not all young Albanian women dress this way but a high % do in Tirana!) But don't worry, think about what 40 some Albanian women look like (after six kids, farm work, and black or red hair dye). You'll be a goddess to him.

See, I don't know what the future holds because we only would live together for a month and half and then I would have to return to America, pass 3-4 months part then then live together for a month and a half. So by the time I was thinking about smoothing him in his sleep, I would always have to go back to America.

(BTW ladies, I do make fun of Albania a lot but my husband makes fun of America equally- "Your president is so bad, why you vote for war in Iraq?!" "Really honey?, I was 17 when he was elected" He took me to McDonalds on a date once because I'm American and thus must love McDonalds. He also took me to Mr. Chicken in Tirana because American women love chicken. Well, I do love chicken but he took me because of a stereotype and not because of my actual love of chicken.)

:lol:

Neither hubby or myself are Albanian, but I soooooo know what you are talking about

[emmaline_g 2]

I am resurrecting this old thread, maybe this is more appropriate than the consulate forum.

We are just finishing the packet 3 for a K1 interview in Albania. I was wondering if anyone with an Albanian fiance could share their interview experience-- what questions are asked at the interview or what pieces of the relationship evidence they want you to pull out to show them?

YES, I HAVE READ THE GUIDES!!, but the guides are NOT specifically about Albania, nor are they written by someone who went through Tirana, and that's the kind of firsthand thing I am looking for!

I was also wondering if anyone sponsored their fiance alone, without a cosponsor? I sent 3 years of tax returns (2006-2008). For 2006 and 2007 I was a student and did not meet the guidelines. For 2008 I am well over the limit and I submitted evidence about my job and bank accounts. I do not have a cosponsor but it seems everyone ELSE has one! I do not think I can get one, but am I ok?

Anyway....I finally got a chance to visit Albania and meet my fiance's family. I have been waiting years to go there! It was amazing! Unforutnately I did have to return to the US without my fiance. And just like I can't describe how beautiful Albania was to me, I also cannot describe how much it hurts that after all these years I am still not married.

So anyone reading this by chance helppp or at least let's post about Albania and the other countries nearby

[LovelyKris81 0]

Hi all LOVE this thread, I can totally relate! Wanted to add a "Balkan" issue to the list...pets. I have two cats in the house *gasp* My fiance is totally repulsed by this hahahahaha. I can't wait to see how long before the cats mysteriously "go missing"

Anyway, my fiance is from Prishtina, Kosovo...apparently using the mail is a novelty there, and he gave me the old postal code 38000...so anyway, all of the stuff I sent him for his interview is probably lost in Serbia.../sigh. I want to strangle him, he is lucky he is so hot

Anyway, nice to meet you all, and good luck with your journeys!

[U.S. Wendy 0]

Hi again! So, I've booked a ticket to go visit him in December in Tirana! I am really excited but am wondering what I should expect when I get over there... are Americans well received? Any advice for meeting his family? Anything you have to tell me about the country, the people, what to expect would be soooo appreciated! My mom is going crazy about thinking that I will be away for the holidays and I am trying to curb her fears about a country she knows nothing about... and my own too I guess! Thanks!

That is very exciting! I wouldn't worry at all. I had a wonderful time while I was there and my husband's family was nothing but WONDERFUL to me.

There is definitely a lot of curiosity about Americans and what it's like in America. They will probably ask you questions that you have no idea how to answer. That might sound weird, but they expect you to know EVERYTHING about America. They will be like 'How much would this house cost in America?' or 'How much does a police officer make in America?' or any random questions about something they heard through the grape vine. Once someone asked me 'Do they have better clubs in NY or LA?'. I was like 'Uhhh, I have never been to LA'. They just looked at me weird lol. I don't think that many people realize just how large the USA is. I can't really think of other questions right now, but I felt a little stupid at times, because they expect you to know everything, and the chances of that are very slim lol.

I don't know what you look like, but I stood out like a sore thumb in Tirana. I was starred at the entire time I was there, because I don't look anything like an Albanian woman. I am pale with freckles, very soft round features on my face (not Albanian at all), and most Albanian woman dress in a very feminine way, with high heels and lots of makeup - - - not me at all lol. So that could be one thing, it's very homogenous there so they will know an outsider immediately when they see you. Don't be afraid though, especially if you are in Tirana, I would say that there is nothing to be afraid of.

I don't know how much you have travelled, but Albania was a very different experience for me. I mean, they don't have the greatest infrastructure, so you will see things that you are most likely not used to. Like for example, the Albanian stop light a.k.a. a police officer standing in the middle of an intersection waving a sign and directing traffic. Also, there will be garbage all over the place, and people walking with cows or donkeys right on the side of the highway. And oh my god, there are always people darting across the highway on foot! I still can't get over this, and have never seen anything like it. I mean old people or families running across the highway and jumping over the median to get to the other side. VERY DANGEROUS! lol You will see young kids selling cigarettes on the street and might encounter a bathroom that has just a hole in the floor. The roads can be very rocky and are often times not paved, even near the city center.

Those are the 'quirks' I would say, but despite them all, I love it there and cannot wait to go back. The people who you will meet through your fiance will be so sweet and accepting. They will kiss you on both of your cheeks and show you the utmost hospitality. My husband's uncle and his wife gave us their bed when we slept in their house for a night!! This is something that I can say for sure would never happen in America, and sadly I wouldn't have ever even thought to do this for someone other than my mother or grandmother. I think the general idea is that if you are the fiance of someone in their family, then you are their family too. Same thing goes for friends, I would say.

Have fun, you will have a wonderful trip! Make sure to go see the beach, even if it's not hot enough to go swimming!

Did you and your husband ever discuss you living in Albania instead of him living in the US? I ask because Bled has his own company in Albania and is building a house currently for him and his brother and I think the chances of him giving up his life there to come to America with me may be slim. Could you ever see yourself living there?

We never really discussed it much, because when I met him and while we were dating, he lived in Italy...we discussed the idea of me moving to Italy quite often, but with me beginning grad school, it just made more sense for him to come here...I would still consider living in Italy in the future, but I don't think I would want to live full time in Albania...everyday life is just much less convenient there...We are definitely interested in getting a summer home or condo there, and taking many extended vacations, but as far as permanently living there, I don't see that happening...The decision is yours though, Adriano doesn't have a company in Albania, but is going to try to start one here in America once he gets enough experience with American style construction...it's a different situation, but you have to see how you feel when you go there.

Living full time in Albania? I don't think so. It's a nice place to visit but depending on your fiance and his family, your individual freedoms could be compromised quite a bit. I got tired of hanging out on the farm all day and one day snuck into shkodra by bus.....it turned out to be a bit scandalous....running around town without my fiance. All I did was go to the internet cafe, get a pizza and have some ice cream but it didn't go over very well. Some say foreigners alone run the risk of being kidnapped or at the very least mugged, but I consider myself to be a smart traveler so I didn't have that fear, but my fiance's family did. If you have a car and good income and your fiance or husband comes from an 'open minded' family, then you might consider moving there. If he's from one of the villages where water and electric come and go depending on the time of day or night, you are in a for a big surprise. When it's cold, it's really cold and most of the homes only heat one room in the winter-->wood stove. Plan to sleep under 10 blankets into the morning. If it's the dead of summer, you will sweat, really sweat and the only relief you will find is the AC in a downtown hotel. Now, so as not the sound completed spoiled and jaded, Albanians are some of the most hospitable, accommodating and friendly people I have ever met and I've traveled to 10 or more countries in my lifetime. I think Susie said it, I'm not sure, but the family will love you like they love their Albanian son. People will probably stare at you and no matter who you visit, you'll be offered coffee, candies or chocolates and sometimes gifts of hand knitted booties. The smallest gifts will be cherished. It seemed to me that the streets were filled with music and I loved the sounds and rhythms, even if I didn't understand a word. Learn some Albanian, it will help a great deal because they talk A LOT and you will find yourself left out of a lot of conversations if you can't speak some basic Albanian. Many of the women there will be sporting their finest european fashions, imagine high heeled leather boots sloshing through the muddy roads and streets of a balkan village; you'll be scratching your head. I saw donkeys, trash, wild dogs and cats and too many sheep to count. Women in the villages work in the fields like slaves and men gathered in the city centers playing billiards or cards, domino or drinking coffees, while the women work in the home from sun up to sun down. Tirana is a bit more progressive, of course there are fewer farms there so they don't necessarily live off the land. Go to the "Venue" for some interesting night life and just walk around to see a city bustling, constant horn honking and life, it's very exciting. I loved my visits there, but after 4-5 months I felt my sanity slowly slipping away. It's a whole different way of life. Be as gracious a house guest as you can and help with the chores when they let you. You can make your own decision about moving there after you visit, but don't make a rash decision, visit MANY times.

[kytwell 179]

Rather than start a new thread, I'll bump this one. Anyone with a Greek spouse around?

[ADO<3MINKA 1]

<!--quoteo(post=2263775:date=Sep 30 2008, 09:28 PM:name=mkg265)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (mkg265 @ Sep 30 2008, 09:28 PM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=2263775"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec--> <b>It was passed along with the law that all Albanian women under 25 must wear tube tops and have visible panty lines in public. It was the Donkey-####### Act of 2005.</b>

Oh my god, I laughed for atleast 5mins rereading this! HILARIOUS.

I just wanted to jump in by saying this is my second day on VJ and this group had me feeling like I was in a Balkan desperate housewives show! BUT I LOVE IT. and WE LOVE OUR BALKAN MEN:)

[SerenityNOW 11]

Wanted to add a "Balkan" issue to the list...pets. I have two cats in the house *gasp* My fiance is totally repulsed by this hahahahaha. I can't wait to see how long before the cats mysteriously "go missing"

I saw this and I laughed out loud and read it to my husband - it is SO TRUE!!

I am soooooooo frustrated with my husband about his views on pets.

[B & G 200]

Here is food for thought... what about american men with balkan brides??? would love to hear their input!

[newyorkgal 0]

Hi,

I am in the midst of the fiancee visa process and I keep worrying that my fiancee will not like it or adjust to the U.S. He is from Kosova, but has lived in Italy for the past five years. I met him while studying in Italy and after two years of long distance dating, he proposed and I accepted. I love him very much, but am worried about him not finding a life here. I live in New York so there is a huge Albanian community and hoping that helps. Any input from people would be much appreciated.

[indiana_sweetie 120]

Hi everyone I'm happy to see this thread is still alive. I enjoyed reading all the posts. I lived in Kosova for 6 weeks with my hubby and felt completely at home, yet I got stared at because of my blond hair and non-Albanian looks. I love the food and the coffee. I was amazed to be in "the land of yogurt" because I love yogurt. The only thing I missed was the wimpy 1% American milk I love to drink. Over there even the low-fat tasted like cream. And I thought chicken was tough, no matter how I cooked it. They were probably really healthy free-range chickens that were all scrawny muscle. Yes, bread every day. But I love to bake bread so I don't see that as a problem here. The olives are too salty. The cheese is too salty. And I never saw so many different types of "feta". And nothing else! Poor hubby will be missing his cheeses when he comes here.

In Prishtina there was garbage everywhere. I was dismayed by that. Once hubby and I were eating snacks while waiting for the bus. When I was done, I started to put the wrapper in my purse. Hubby grabbed the wrapper and gently told me, "No, just throw it, it will make mess in purse." I protested. After the next few protests he started holding onto his garbage until we reached a garbage can (they are so tiny and far apart there) and he threw it away in the can! I am so proud of him! Now this year Kosova had a huge country-wide clean up. I am so happy about that. At home (in Kosova) I did the dishes and vacuuming and he washed the clothes and hung them up and always took out the trash. I made the bed every morning but sometimes he would help. I cooked most of the time but he showed me how to cook dishes I wasn't familiar with. He knows how to cook. If we needed something from the store he went straight out to buy it. It was the same before and after our wedding.

We are so amazingly compatible. We only had a couple culture shocks. One was the draft from an open window causes illness. I had heard of it but didn't know anyone who believed it. After I recovered from my mouth hanging open I decided to respect that because, well, it's not that big of a deal. He has his windows open all the time unless it was very windy. The other one was chewing gum or eating an apple after brushing your teeth because the toothpaste taste is offensive. That one surprised me because how can you have a clean mouth if you...oh nevermind lol.

Pets...yeah, in America they are pampered family members. We talked about that. I had 3 cats and a dog at home, but they belong to my daughter who was relocating. He thought maybe we could keep one cat. But I had already decided that would be a mistake because I knew how neat his is, and he loves to wear black and oh he is so sexy in black, and I could not walk through my house in black without becoming covered in pet hair, even right after vacuuming. So all the pets went to my daughter, and I am happy and without guilt because the pets are happier than ever.

Bugs...there are no screens over there! But hardly any bugs. Hubby is not going to like all the bugs here in America. I can just see him spraying the yard to keep them away. Accents..we love each other's accents, and cultural differences, and we love learning from each other. He enjoys country & western music and I listen to Alban Skenderaj. And he is sweet and romantic, and good to me and we love each other to the ends of the earth. Well, now I hope you enjoyed reading my "book". Sorry it was so long.

Edited July 5, 2012 by indiana_sweetie