Take Only What You Need.

Fun fact I learned today: When moving abroad for one to two years, bring only the necessities -- just enough stuff to get through one month.

I mean ... I'm thinking I may have over packed.

Kosovo Food Take 1!

Once a month, I get together with 3 other fabulous women.

{picture to be replaced when our fourth musketeer rejoins us next month}

While chopping, sauteing, and baking, we also:

drink cheap but great wine.

discuss the craziness of life.

remember to stop and smell the food and enjoy girlfriends.

As I prepare to move to Kosovo, I decided to incorporate a favorite old activity {cooking club} with a soon-to-be favorite new activity {eating food I will find in Kosovo}.

First on the menu: Byrek me Spinaq {Spinach Pie}. This was a bit more difficult than I imagined.

All smiles pre-filo dough!

Totally worth the work!

Second on the menu: Turli Perimesh {mixed vegetables}. This was a bit easier than I imagined.

Tons of fresh chopped veggies + peeled and diced tomatoes = an Ah-to-the-mazing side dish!

Surprise on the menu: meat pies! Savory Sausage Turnovers (recipe compliments of Cooking Light). Leighann accidentally jumped in on the Albanian food theme with her d-to-the-licious recipe.

Lessons learned: 1) I could get used to this food.

2) I'll never get used to missing cooking club. xoxo, girls!

PaperTrails

So I heard that Pristina, Kosovo is home to a statue of Bill Clinton. This week while reading the PaperTrails section of the Denver Post, I got a glimpse of the bronze shrine-age.

Nice to know that when homesickness creeps into my heart, I'll have a little United States lovin' to get me through!

Probably, a duh.

Before embarking on an international travel destination, of whatever length, make sure to register with STEP: The U.S. Department of State Smart Traveler Enrollment Program.

https://travelregistration.state.gov

Through STEP, you can receive emailed travel alerts and warnings, and when registered, the U.S. government can better assist you with overseas emergencies including contact of United States family members.

Traveling is more fun when you are safe and accounted for!

The Journey Begins.

I am about to travel abroad for the first time in five years. Can I
remember the keys to international travel?

Step 1: Accessorize well.

Thanks to Mr. Umbrella, I found a perfectly cute, yet inexpensive, passport cover on Etsy. Okay, I found 2.



http://ny-image0.etsy.com/il_570xN.225195652.jpg


http://ny-image3.etsy.com/il_570xN.217717659.jpg

Take away: Important decisions complicate travel.