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My first time in Albania Paola Iannelli

describe what I have lived in this land is very difficult, especially for someone like me who did not a lot of confidence with a pen and paper ... but I will try to turn the same words in the circle of emotions experienced during the exchange.

I had never heard of YOUTH EXCHANGE and brought it to me when I accepted almost blindly.

days before departure I have been really hectic, we were divided between various meetings and to meet other members of the Italian group and perfect departure. ... Finally arrived!

The ferries do not recommend it to anyone. I discovered that I suffer from seasickness, and I assure you it was a great experience!

Once in Durres and then to the hotel, we began to understand the meaning and the beauty of what we were experiencing. The first days were running, two were the obstacle to overcome: our mutual understanding (between Italians mean) and then the knowledge of members of other groups: Macedonian, Albanian and Swedish.

I must say that we spent very little time to break the ice with other kids, certainly on our expansiveness, friendliness and curiosity about everything else to us. In particular with the Macedonian and Albanian group has created a good feeling in a short time we had the feeling that these guys always know when but only then we were learning their stories, their paths, their experiences of life that in some cases have left us breathless.

With Swedish boys and I shared, not without difficulty, the execution the "calendar of human rights" . We went around Tirana to photograph anything that might be a violation of their or their full implementation, and so we visited hospitals, Roma camps, villages, schools, and I could see the inside Albania, know the health system, the school. ... so I really only had first hand the reality!

It is thanks to these days and this trip I learned to trust of this country and this people, a people friendly and helpful, that welcomes you and overwhelms you, that hides the suffering and the war years behind a smile and teaches you that nothing is lost and you can get out of the dark ages.

In our various trips we have so often contemplated the rural scenery and Albanians from the window of a van ... I can never forget the red and black flags everywhere, on every roof, one for each house!

It 's amazing the sense of belonging that people have towards their own country!

" OUR LAND AND 'OUR HOUSE!" ... told us that the Albanians and that I brought with me from this experience: the love for their country and the desire to feel at home in each post, and I felt I in Albania!

Paola Iannelli