MIRJAM'S VISIT, DELVINE, GIROKASTER, BLUE EYE, CORFU AND MORE!!

MONDAY, 13 AUGUST 2013. MIRJAM'S VISIT, DELVINE, GIROKASTER, BLUE EYE, CORFU AND MORE!! Sister Adrienne finishes her brief visit here and is packing, so I take this first available moment to update on events since Sister Mirjam arrived on Monday, August 5, for a week. We had a vague plan and as the house had many callers that evening, we had no opportunity for discussion. Nicky, Zana, Marieta and Aurora were surprised to welcome Mirjam. We set off mid-morning on an adventure as we took a road advised by friends and we had a delightful journey to Delvine via Greece and wonderful roads. We were welcomed to a very German set-up, with five Sisters. Four were German and the fifth an American friend of mine. Our bishop advised her to contact me if she wanted to speak English, so we became friends, via SKYPE!!!The house had two other German visitors, so Mirjam, was in her element! Next morning, we headed for Girokaster, famous for being the home of INVER XOHJA, its Castle that gave Albania's infamous history and we saw the amazing architecture of this city clinging to the mountainside! Reluctantly we left for the BLUE EYE, fascinating beauty spot where we ate lunch beside the rushing river! In the afternoon we spent several hours at the famous BUTRINT site and museum, finishing our day with a great get-together at the Castle in Saranda that overlooks the bay and CORFU. A whirlwind tourist day for sure! Next morning saw three of us en route to Corfu via IGNOMETSIA PORT. We had a wonderful two hour cruise each way and the conditions for the ferry were ideal. The day could not have been better and we returned to Delvine as daylight ended. Much could be written about that special day. We returned here to Korca on Friday, bringing Sister Adrienne with us. On Saturday, we went to Pogradec and went towards the house "site" of a couple of years ago. We met the Orthodox priest and he took us to his Church nearby and gave us a detailed history. It was a garage during Xohja's time and the people hid the icons in their homes, returning them when the Church was once again a Church. We then continued our journey to OHRID, MACEDONIA. We visited the Catholic Church and met Father OLIVER, Byzantine Rite, who replaced our good friend, Father Stefan KUSAN,SJ. who died earlier this year, RIP.We were entertained by Father, his wife, and three children. He has both German and some English so we managed well. We saw that there is an English Mass there on Sunday evenings and regretted our boundary crossings as otherwise one could plan on attending, when we do not have Mass here. We got back early evening for a very important invitation - we were invited to a barbecue celebration of the Feast of Saint Lawrence. With the 19 Maltese Society Members plus us three, we had five Nationalities together to celebrate both Mirjam's and my Birthday too. Regret the photos are stuck in my camera,so I cannot show you the celebration trio. We thoroughly enjoyed the evening. We managed a festive lunch at "LIFE GALLERY" on Sunday and the celebration continued.....after Mass, another cake, sung greetings, and all enjoyed the wonderful cake.Celebrations continued here for a few who came back with us. All good things come to an end and Mirjam headed for Tirana early on Monday morning to take her role at the Franciscan CAMP WEEK. I could see Sister was very happy with her visit. A greeting for the lovely feast of the Assumption on Thursday - we hope to have the Bishop here on that morning. DEO GRATIAS for the past week!