For almost all of my seventeen years, I have had the privilege of visiting a beautiful little country in Southeastern Europe called Albania. When I was younger, I dreaded when the words “Ilira, we’re going to Albania” came out of my mother’s mouth. These five words were without a doubt, the worst words I could ever hear. It just wasn’t a place I enjoyed visiting. Poverty is an overwhelming issue, among boatloads of others that the country faces. Citizens cannot take showers whenever they please, they have to wait for the water to heat up or in some more drastic situations, they have to boil it themselves. They have their own Mount Everests in Albania, made out of piling garbage in the streets. For the very few who are blessed enough to own a car, the streets are not paved. So, carsickness is an everyday issue for these folks. Probably due to their rough lives, I found that Albanian people were quite rude. Nobody in Albania can be classified as a “high-class” individual money-wise, for even the president of the country faces the same issues. In America, it is a standard protocol to smile at strangers as you pass them by. Instead of getting a simple smile back, you get dirty looks. But one year, into my late teens, I went for a visit that changed my views and made me come to appreciate visiting my parents’ home country more and more.
The scenery in Albania is absolutely gorgeous. There are tons of beautiful castles, glistening lakes as well as bright blue beaches, all of which hold history dating back centuries ago. I was about sixteen years old when I had my epiphany while on a trip to Albania. It was this trip that changed my life and made me realize how truly lucky I am to live in a country as great and as free as the United States of America. It was not so much one big thing that changed my views so much as it was a lot of little things. Seeing how my family lived with no air conditioning for the summers or heaters for the winters was a big thing for me. I also had the opportunity to attend a day of school with one of my cousins. When we got there, I was amazed at the filth in the classes and how mean the teachers were. Having clothes to wear was a struggle for both children and adults. I watched my cousins appreciate greatly all the hand-me-downs of mine that I brought over from America for them. But what really impacted me was seeing my cousins devour any food that was given to them, even if they did not like it.
Even today, I am impacted by this eye-opening experience that I had during my summer of junior year in Albania. Sometimes I get really agitated at something and when I catch myself complaining, in the back of my head I have flashbacks of all that I saw and all that I realized while on my trip and ask myself “would this really be an issue for an Albanian citizen?” At that point, I’m instantly reminded bite my tongue and to stop complaining and acting spoiled when my own blood has much bigger problems. I am much more aware of what I have and how blessed I truly am now. It’s important to remember that someone out there, although you may or may not know him, is struggling more than you are.
Dear Reader: This page may contain affiliate links which may earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase. Our independent journalism is not influenced by any advertiser or commercial initiative unless it is clearly marked as sponsored content. As travel products change, please be sure to reconfirm all details and stay up to date with current events to ensure a safe and successful trip.
0 Replies to “A Life Changing Trip to Europe”
Comment on this article
This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.
This is a topic that’s near to my heart… Take care!
Thanks for finally talking about >Family Travel Insurance <Loved it!
Family volunteering opportunities are a great way to give back with your teenager at your side.
May I simply say what a comfort to discover someone that actually knows what they’re discussing over the internet.
Wow, this list is amazing! I’ve always wanted to experience Mardi Gras beyond New Orleans. Thanks for sharing these incredible locations. Can’t wait to start planning my next adventure!
My partner and I absolutely love your blog and find most of your post’s to be precisely what I’m looking for. Would you offer guest writers to write content for yourself?
I wouldn’t mind creating a post or elaborating on a number of the subjects you write regarding here. Again, awesome weblog!
excellent post, very informative. I’m wondering wwhy the other experts oof this secto do not notice this. You should proceed your writing. I am sure, you have a huge readers’ baee already!
Hello.This post was extremely remarkable, especially because I was browsing for thoughts on this issue last couple of days.
You completed several good points there. I did a search on the matter and found mainly folks will agree with your blog.
WOW just what I was searching for. Came here by searching for
T Thomas Group offers bespoke travel planning.Luxury Travel Specialist that specializes in customized itineraries, luxury cruises, small group tours, solo travel and all aspects of LGBTQ+ travel. We ensure a seamless and luxurious travel experience, designed exclusively for you.
Thank you, I have just been searching for info approximately this subject for a while and yours is the best I have found out so far. However, what concerning the bottom line?
Are you certain in regards to the supply?
Hello! Would you mind if I share your blog with my myspace group?
There’s a lot of people that I think would really enjoy your content.
Please let me know. Thanks
Very interesting subject, thanks for posting. blog
It’s appropriate time to make some plans for the future and it is time to be happy.
Great post and straight to the point.
Interesting post. I’m glad I came across this page. I’m going to bookmark it so I can read any future posts.
An impressive share! I have just forwarded this onto a coworker who has been conducting a little research on this. And he in fact ordered me lunch because I stumbled upon it for him… lol. So let me reword this…. Thanks for the meal!! But yeah, thanks for spending some time to talk about this subject here on your website.
Hi! Im originally from Cambiaso and
I do mission trips to the village every year. I have read your article and I am so grateful for what you have done with my people. I would love to connect with you.
Wow, this article really resonated with me! Traveling in Europe with family can be such an incredible adventure, but it definitely comes with its own set of challenges. From navigating unfamiliar streets to finding activities that everyone enjoys, it’s a whirlwind of excitement and sometimes chaos. But hey, isn’t that what makes the best memories? Thanks for sharing your experiences and tips, they’re super helpful for planning our own European family escapade! ???
It’s hard to find knowledgeable people in this
particular topic, but you seem like you know what you’re talking about!
Thanks
Greetings! I’ve been following your website for a while now and finally got the courage to go ahead and give
you a shout out from Atascocita Tx! Just wanted to mention keep up the great work!
Your writing has a way of making even the mundane sound interesting. Kudos!
They are very very similar to the key facet all of us keep hidden from the world, the part of us that dares to dream impossible issues, where all our hopes and fantasies are born.
This article is impressive for me as mine east coast of usa
Howdy! This blog post couldn’t be written any better! Reading through this
article reminds me of my previous roommate! He constantly kept preaching
about this. I will send this article to him.
Fairly certain he’ll have a very good read. Many thanks for sharing!
Absolutely love this list of Mardi Gras celebrations outside New Orleans! Each destination seems to offer its own unique blend of culture, music, and vibrant festivities. While I’m tempted to explore them all, I can’t help but dream of experiencing the colorful chaos of Mardi Gras in Goa, India. Exploring India’s rich cultural tapestry during this festive season would undoubtedly be an unforgettable adventure. Thanks for inspiring wanderlust with these fantastic recommendations!
Thanks verfy interesting blog!
I was able to find good info from your blog posts.
“MyFamilyTravels provides a wonderful platform for families to share their travel experiences and glean inspiration for their own adventures. The diverse array of destinations and insightful tips make it a valuable resource for planning memorable trips. Kudos to the team for fostering a community that celebrates the joys of family travel!”
Your site is great and I plan on exploring it even more in the future. It is well written, comprehensive in it’s suggestions, It was a great article, thanks for sharing!
nice
There is certainly a lot to learn about this subject.
I really like all the points you made.
Nice Blog, Thanks for sharing this informative blog. We provide a Nepal Tour Package from Musafircab.
Yes. This is exactly what you should know to have a comfortable and cost-effective trip.
bookmarked!!, I love your site!