Seeing With Their Own Eyes

Brian, Emiland, and Shea arrived in Tirana, Albania safely and immediately began work.  One of their first stops was construction site for their distillery.  They spoke with the construction company about the process and timeline for completion. 

Brian and Emiland walking the jobsite

Starting to look like a building!

Shea and Brian observing

Emiland taking a look

They met with the mayor of the city where the building is located to have a coffee and will soon go back to have dinner with him.  When the distillery is finished the mayor and many other local and country officials will be present for a ribbon cutting ceremony.  It is wonderful to feel welcomed by the community! 

Also, they are going to meet with a company in a town called Lushnje, which is about an hour or two south of Tirana, to see if they can purchase distiller equipment from a company there.  Originally the plan was to travel to Bulgaria, about two hours east of Sophia, to purchase the equipment but it looks like the possibility of buying the products closer to home is becoming a reality.

The next few days will be spent meeting with the distiller and his family, updating the USAID office on the progress of the company, and meeting with the local farmers of the herbs and plants for the next season's production. 

Jet lag is gradually fading away and the guys are enjoying the beginnings of spring in Albania.  This is Shea's first time to visit, Brian's second, and another visit home for Emiland. 

Beautiful flowers on the construction property

Gjithe te mirat
"All the best"

MI