Dispatch from Albania # 11 Nov. 26, 1999
From: Cdcphotog@aol.com
Date: Sun, 5 Dec 1999 10:51:24 EST
Subject: Message fr Albania #11
MIME-Version: 1.0
To: undisclosed-recipients:;

Dispatch from Albania # 11 Friday, Nov. 26, 1999

We worked all day yesterday in some of the most depressing areas weíve seen.
The people donít seem hungry or impoverished, but every place is cluttered
with garbage and rubbish and muddy, potholed roads. Thereís nothing to lift
your spirits. We went through a village that Anglo Albanian Oil (?) has
covered with oil derricks. Some derricks work, but the smell is worse than
the Houston Ship Channel, and globs of oil or tar are everywhere. When I
walked through a field to get a picture and accidentally stepped in an onion
patch, the water that oozed over my boots glistened from the oil. So far,
this has been the worst sight on the trip.

Glad to get back to Kathyís apartment in Tirana. Never has a place seemed so
good. And the Raki was waiting.

Boyd, our apartment mate and head of IRCís security in Albania, had returned
form 2 days in Kosovo and brought back a tiny kitten he named Kosi. Now weíre
living with a small untrained creature, who adds a different kind of aroma to
the place. Itís worse than the plumbing. I used to like cats, but Iím not
sure now.

Nevertheless, we decompressed, then slept 12 hours in our nice cozy beds. I
didnít even care that the sheets are nubby. It was warm, it was safe, and it
didn't smell like an oil refinery.

Carolyn

Mike R: I think about you every day and hope the treatment is working. Much
love, C

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