The Time Between...

We returned to Kaçanik on January 1.  Schools in Kosovo start back after Orthodox Christmas on January 8th.  We returned to better weather, with blue skies and sunshine.  We didn't have a lot of plans, but we walked every day, had coffee with Danny and Elise, and hiked with the hiking group on Sunday.  

Luboten, the sun, and blue skies

On New Year's Day, we called and talked to family.  Our first hike of 2026 was a hike to the foothills of Luboten.  While it hasn't been foggy or smoggy, it was off and on rainy during the hike.  It was never heavy, but as we headed up toward the peak; it was a bit windy.  We saw some guys in a car that one of the hikers knew, and they gave us the key to one of the cabins.  So while some of the hikers went further, most of us stopped at the cabin to get out of the rain and to eat some lunch.  We had some fun reminiscing about our previous hikes, in particular the rainy hike we took in October.  It was a miserable hike, but now we could laugh about it.  Especially, as we were sitting in a dry cabin out of the wind and drizzle.  Last year, there was snow on the ground.  This year, there is only snow on the peaks.  

Since Sunday, it has been raining a lot, especially on the western side of the country.  This morning, I found out that start of school is being delayed until Monday, so we do not have classes on the 8th and 9th for all of Kosovo.  This is due to flooding in areas of the country.  

I also found out that my counterpart is taking a new position with the municipality.  He will be the director of education for the municipality.  This means there will be a new English teacher in his position.  They have hired the new teacher, and the plan now is that I will be working with her starting next week until I leave in April.  So when i start back again, it will be new experience again.

Another finished crochet project