Day 1 1/2

Well, we're here! "We" being the other new resident of Kosovo. She is here on the same program as me, but will be living in a smaller city in the mountains about an hour from Prishtina. Our Austrian airline plane landed and emptied us right onto the tarmac to walk all of 50 meters into the airport. We pretty much just saw Passport Control and the "baggage claim" area. It was here that we all grabbed our luggage carts and lined up. There was no conveyer belt, no chute, nothing other than a group of people that looked like there were waiting to hear, "ready, set . . . go" before the gates opened and we were set free. And that's exactly how it happened. We filed out to a sidewalk area where baggage was lined-up buffet style. People walked around the bags, grabbing what was theirs. Little by little the selection lessened, until the sidewalk was clear. As I observed the system, I of course searched for the four pieces of luggage that contained my worldly possessions. But, as the sidewalk cleared it became more evident that my possessions did not make it to the buffet. No, my luggage did not join me on the journey. When I checked them back in MSP I was told by a women that clearly had no idea what she was talking about that I needed a Visa to get into Kosovo. I was told before and reassured after that this was NOT the case. Regardless, she did not believe me and marked my luggage so that, in case I was not allowed on the flight from DC to Vienna, my luggage would not be allowed either. Well, the message that I made it on didn't seem to reach my bags. So here I sit in my hotel room, worldy possessions diminished to a computer, one extra pair of underwear, pair of socks, pajamas and a tooth brush. Not bad, really. Just thinking that once I start meeting my other colleagues, my jeans and shirt are going to be in quite ripe.

The Kosovar working in the U.S. Office, Ardian, is in charge of our orientation and he has been a gem so far. He has helped me find an apartment with a great view, shown us around town, given us his perspective on what is happening here, taken us for some great food and as soon as he can get my luggage and me back together again, he will have high ranking status on my favorites list here. I can't wait to post pictures of the architecture in this place. During the communist Tito years, the traditional buildings were destroyed or dwarfed by giant cement blocks with windows. To build nationalism and individuality, they went nuts with their creativity and erected a couple of buildings inspired by cultural symbols. All I can say is that they've made eagles and white hats look like structures George Lucas might create for the Empire.

My bottom line first impression . . . I get some good vibes from this place. There is a lot to discover in Prishtina, Kosovo, and the Balkans that I might not ever see unless I had the opportunity to come here.