Re: [MBZ] Benz repair Albanian style
On Mar 16, 2013, at 5:14 PM, Rich Thomas wrote: > That is awesome, you should write all that down while you still remember it, > and interview any other family members for their stories. > > That said, what is it with these commies? That little NORK troll is much the > same, and he has a stupid haircut too. > > --R Sadly, everyone on my Dad's side of the family is gone. He passed in 1983, my grandfather in the late 90s, and my grandmother (who was really my step grandmother) died in 2002. I know one of my nieces did a fair amount of genealogy on the family, but even then everyone had passed. He told us about riding the train from New York City to St. Louis after they had left Ellis Island, and how he saw someone chewing bubble gum for the first time. He and his cousin were amazed that this boy sitting across from them had this bizarre stuff in his mouth that he never swallowed and could blow bubbles with it. He settled in Granite City, IL, where many of his fellow countrymen came to live as they immigrated to the States over the years. He worked at Granite City Steel for many years on the third shift, and owned and operated a number of bars and bowling alleys during his life in the same area. He was one of the tavern owners that was under the control of the Busch beer dynasty, and was a regular visitor (as were many other local tavern owners) to the Busch estate for lavish dinners and picnics. I have seen pictures of him seated on the wagon with the Clydesdales during this time, along with pictures of him at these gatherings with August Busch. There was a large Eastern European community in Granite City, with many Albanians, Macedonians, Serbs, Greeks, etc. They were all hard workers and very conservative people from what I knew. I often visited the Greek Orthodox church my grandfather belonged to, and was especially sure to be there on Sundays when they had the monthly church social. Great food, entertainment, and fun people. I firmly believe that I could probably walk down Neidringhaus Avenue in Granite City today and find the descendants of some of his peers, still running their family businesses. My grandfather was the stereotypical immigrant, who believed quite strongly in Mother, apple pie and baseball. He was a life long fan of the St. Louis Cardinals and often took us to the ballpark when we visited. An interesting anecdote: Being a very successful businessman, my grandfather was probably quite wealthy considering his position in life. He worked hard, had successful businesses, and lived frugally. When he bought something it was very nice and top of the line, but not flashy. When I was maybe 7 or 8 we were visiting him for a week. He had just taken delivery of a large Zenith COLOR console television. This was in the mid to late 1960s, when not all programs were being broadcast in color. There happened to be a Cardinals game going on, and it was being broadcast on television. Where was Grandpa? Sitting at the kitchen table, Budweiser in a glass, listening to the Cardinals game on the radio sitting in front of him on the table. "Grandpa, why are you listening to the ball game when it's on TV?" I asked. "Because I like watching the game up here." (pointing to his head) Dan ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new and used parts go to www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://mail.okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
Re: [MBZ] Benz repair Albanian style
"Top Gear" did a segment there, with their typical approach to political correctness... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Top_Gear_controversies#Episode_3:_Albania Gerry Archer writes: > Albania seems to have opened up and now promotes tourism: > > http://albaniantourism.com/ > > Gerry -- Allan Streib ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new and used parts go to www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://mail.okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
Re: [MBZ] Benz repair Albanian style
Interesting story! I would occasionally listen to Radio Tirana (Albania) shortwave during the 1970s when the weather conditions were right. It was always the same women who read the news with a sad voice of doom. Sometimes we could pick up distant broadcasts like Radio Tirana and Radio Moscow but couldn't pick up the BBC, Deutche Welle, Radio Nederlands, and others that had repeater stations in the West Indies and were much closer. Gerry From: "Dan Penoff" None. Why? I have relatives that live in Albania who were unable to make it out at the end of WWII, and are still there (these are uncles and cousins, with which we have had little contact with over the years.) Every few years my paternal grandfather would hear from them, usually in cryptic letters written either to him or other relatives in the US. Since Grandpa was fluent in 4-5 languages, including some of the regional Albanian dialects, letters that weren't written to him came to him for translation. I saw and had many of these letters read to me as a child, and they were quite telling as far as how the US and Western world was portrayed by the Albanian government. Remember that from just after WWII until a few year ago that Albania was one of the truly socialist countries in the world, and had closed borders and very limited contact with its neighbors or the outside world in general. These poor people literally believed that everyone in the West was rich beyond their wildest dreams, and that the streets were practically paved with gold. The government had painted us as totally decadent, self-centered, you name it we probably did it sort of people. Of course we were descending into a way of life that would slowly consume us and all of our resources, while socialism would provide for them and their families forever. A couple of interesting tales related to the situation: In 1965 or 66, my grandfather somehow got word that one of the relatives was very ill and near death due to something that was easily treatable here in the West. Because Albania had no consulate or embassy here in the US, my Dad went to their mission in the UN in New York (I got to tag along because it was summer) and pleaded with the staff to allow him to send the drugs to treat this relative. I can recall the conversations well, as my Dad had proposed that they issue him a visa so that he could deliver them himself. The man we met with in the Albanian mission offices was very dark and stern, I recall quite vividly, and he told my Dad that they would issue a visa and allow him to transit the border, after which he would be on his own. Oh - they also mentioned that when he crossed into Albania that he would have to surrender his passport, which would be returned to him upon his departure. We went from there to a meeting with someone in the UN that was connected with our Department of State. As soon as Dad told them he was going to go to Albania, the man turned ashen and told him that he should get his affairs in order before he left. Reason being, that State would approve him to travel there since it was a humanitarian trip (there were travel restrictions on Albania) but that the likelihood that he would return would be slim at best. He also emphasized quite vehemently that once Dad crossed the border, there would be nothing that the US could do to help him due to our lack of a diplomatic relationship with Albania. The next day we went to a Red Cross office where they took all of the information Dad had on the relative and the drugs, and said that they would attempt to deliver them through the Red Cross, who was able to get things across the border. I don't know if they were successful or not, as the situation was never discussed with me after that. Do consider that I was all of maybe 6-7 years old at the time. One of the last letters I saw was from a cousin, who had written my grandfather after his death in 1995. My grandmother had the letter but was unable to read it, so she wasn't sure what to do. I was able to locate a faculty member at Washington University that could read and write Albanian through my orthodox priest. In essence, the letter was a plea for money, as they wanted a motorcycle so they could get back and forth to work. He read the translation to me, interpreting much of the context, explaining that it was clear (to him) that the writer was of the impression that we had large sums of money and could easily send them several thousand dollars I left it to my grandmother to respond, as I didn't know these people nor had I ever had contact with them. Whether or not she did I don't know. Our Greek Orthodox priest had some friends who went into Albania in the early 90s on an humanitarian mission. They were supposed to be there for a few weeks. When their departure date came and went and there was no contact with them, our priest and some of their family members
Re: [MBZ] Benz repair Albanian style
Albania seems to have opened up and now promotes tourism: http://albaniantourism.com/ Gerry ... From: "Dan Penoff" I understand - I was attempting to point out that the socialist regime in Albania did a poor, if nonexistent job of caring for its people. Like many despotic ruled countries, those in power lived well while the average citizen barely got by. I would like to believe that this is no longer the case, but I know little of the country since it opened up to the West. Dan On Mar 16, 2013, at 6:25 PM, WILTON wrote: Why? 'Point being that the money squandered on so much paranoiac defenses would have much better spent to educate, feed and clothe children and for the public welfare in general. Wilton ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new and used parts go to www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://mail.okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com - No virus found in this message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 2012.0.2240 / Virus Database: 2641/5683 - Release Date: 03/16/13 ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new and used parts go to www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://mail.okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
Re: [MBZ] Benz repair Albanian style
in 98, took the kids and spent 3 weeks in yurp along with a few days at the Baden-Powell house in London. at the fer end of itly, where not many merkuns go since the end of the ww. We got off a train that was delayed, and thus no taxis to be had. The locals spoke no anglish and could not help. One passenger who was waiting for a ride understood the predicament, even though he spoke only a few words of english. The local phones only took a local card, which we did not have, and could not buy when we arrived. This other passenger let us use his phone card to make a call. In the conversation, he said, "I am alb." at first I thought he was giving us his name, but then I figured out he meant he was an albanian immigrant. Somehow, he had escaped to make a life in the back country of italia. My guess is that by and large, Albanians are good people, same as any other folks, despite the despot who kept them incarcerated for so long. The one I met there certainly was a fine man. BTW, in the afternoon siesta, we would watch cartoons, and the best was Popeye in Italian. It was our best language training. It was hilarious because the songs were still in english. None. Why? I have relatives that live in Albania who were unable to make it out at the end of WWII, and are still there (these are uncles and cousins, with which we have had little contact with over the years.) Every few years my paternal grandfather would hear from them, usually in cryptic letters written either to him or other relatives in the US. Since Grandpa was fluent in 4-5 languages, including some of the regional Albanian dialects, letters that weren't written to him came to him for translation. I saw and had many of these letters read to me as a child, and they were quite telling as far as how the US and Western world was portrayed by the Albanian government. Remember that from just after WWII until a few year ago that Albania was one of the truly socialist countries in the world, and had closed borders and very limited contact with its neighbors or the outside world in general. These poor people literally believed that everyone in the West was rich beyond their wildest dreams, and that the streets were practically paved with gold. The government had painted us as totally decadent, self-centered, you name it we probably did it sort of people. Of course we were descending into a way of life that would slowly consume us and all of our resources, while socialism would provide for them and their families forever. A couple of interesting tales related to the situation: In 1965 or 66, my grandfather somehow got word that one of the relatives was very ill and near death due to something that was easily treatable here in the West. Because Albania had no consulate or embassy here in the US, my Dad went to their mission in the UN in New York (I got to tag along because it was summer) and pleaded with the staff to allow him to send the drugs to treat this relative. I can recall the conversations well, as my Dad had proposed that they issue him a visa so that he could deliver them himself. The man we met with in the Albanian mission offices was very dark and stern, I recall quite vividly, and he told my Dad that they would issue a visa and allow him to transit the border, after which he would be on his own. Oh - they also mentioned that when he crossed into Albania that he would have to surrender his passport, which would be returned to him upon his departure. We went from there to a meeting with someone in the UN that was connected with our Department of State. As soon as Dad told them he was going to go to Albania, the man turned ashen and told him that he should get his affairs in order before he left. Reason being, that State would approve him to travel there since it was a humanitarian trip (there were travel restrictions on Albania) but that the likelihood that he would return would be slim at best. He also emphasized quite vehemently that once Dad crossed the border, there would be nothing that the US could do to help him due to our lack of a diplomatic relationship with Albania. The next day we went to a Red Cross office where they took all of the information Dad had on the relative and the drugs, and said that they would attempt to deliver them through the Red Cross, who was able to get things across the border. I don't know if they were successful or not, as the situation was never discussed with me after that. Do consider that I was all of maybe 6-7 years old at the time. One of the last letters I saw was from a cousin, who had written my grandfather after his death in 1995. My grandmother had the letter but was unable to read it, so she wasn't sure what to do. I was able to locate a faculty member at Washington University that could read and write Albanian through my orthodox priest. In essence, the letter was a plea for money, as the
Re: [MBZ] Benz repair Albanian style
WILTON wrote: Yes, 'my point exactly, too. Despots don't give a damned about about the people except as far as they can provide for the DESPOT'S well being. Mao sez: No despots in US? Or is that lefty gibberish? There are, and they don't like the constitution. They are pulling the strings on the little puppet who has never had a job. ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new and used parts go to www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://mail.okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
Re: [MBZ] Benz repair Albanian style
WILTON wrote: > Yes, 'my point exactly, too. Despots don't give a damned about about the > people except as far as they can provide for the DESPOT'S well being. No despots in US? Or is that lefty gibberish? I really don't know anymore. I do know that I cannot access the entitlement paid into which will be available for old age people - I am not old enough. Also, I know that my age precludes me from any hope of getting employment such as I knew my entire 'professional' career in civil engineering doing drawings for many projects. Are there despots? I hear news about record markets and see record earnings - news that I never paid attention about through the years. I never made enough money to invest, I never cared, I merely lived. I enjoyed. I still breathe, I enjoy the woman who stayed at home raising our children. Complain? - eh... to what end. But I wonder about despots here today, I really wonder if there aren't despots in the US. Oh, well... mao ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new and used parts go to www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://mail.okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
Re: [MBZ] Benz repair Albanian style
Yes, 'my point exactly, too. Despots don't give a damned about about the people except as far as they can provide for the DESPOT'S well being. 'Some of the same type stuff in Romania for many years. #2 son was on a photography assignment there maybe 8 or 10 years ago for a crystal and furniture manufacturer/dealer. 'Took some photos of people in the countryside that nearly tore my heart out. Wilton - Original Message - From: "Dan Penoff" To: "Mercedes Discussion List" Sent: Saturday, March 16, 2013 6:35 PM Subject: Re: [MBZ] Benz repair Albanian style I understand - I was attempting to point out that the socialist regime in Albania did a poor, if nonexistent job of caring for its people. Like many despotic ruled countries, those in power lived well while the average citizen barely got by. I would like to believe that this is no longer the case, but I know little of the country since it opened up to the West. Dan On Mar 16, 2013, at 6:25 PM, WILTON wrote: Why? 'Point being that the money squandered on so much paranoiac defenses would have much better spent to educate, feed and clothe children and for the public welfare in general. Wilton ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new and used parts go to www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://mail.okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new and used parts go to www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://mail.okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
Re: [MBZ] Benz repair Albanian style
I understand - I was attempting to point out that the socialist regime in Albania did a poor, if nonexistent job of caring for its people. Like many despotic ruled countries, those in power lived well while the average citizen barely got by. I would like to believe that this is no longer the case, but I know little of the country since it opened up to the West. Dan On Mar 16, 2013, at 6:25 PM, WILTON wrote: > Why? 'Point being that the money squandered on so much paranoiac defenses > would have much better spent to educate, feed and clothe children and for the > public welfare in general. > > Wilton ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new and used parts go to www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://mail.okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
Re: [MBZ] Benz repair Albanian style
Why? 'Point being that the money squandered on so much paranoiac defenses would have much better spent to educate, feed and clothe children and for the public welfare in general. Wilton ginal Message - From: "Dan Penoff" To: "Mercedes Discussion List" Sent: Saturday, March 16, 2013 4:39 PM Subject: Re: [MBZ] Benz repair Albanian style None. Why? I have relatives that live in Albania who were unable to make it out at the end of WWII, and are still there (these are uncles and cousins, with which we have had little contact with over the years.) Every few years my paternal grandfather would hear from them, usually in cryptic letters written either to him or other relatives in the US. Since Grandpa was fluent in 4-5 languages, including some of the regional Albanian dialects, letters that weren't written to him came to him for translation. I saw and had many of these letters read to me as a child, and they were quite telling as far as how the US and Western world was portrayed by the Albanian government. Remember that from just after WWII until a few year ago that Albania was one of the truly socialist countries in the world, and had closed borders and very limited contact with its neighbors or the outside world in general. These poor people literally believed that everyone in the West was rich beyond their wildest dreams, and that the streets were practically paved with gold. The government had painted us as totally decadent, self-centered, you name it we probably did it sort of people. Of course we were descending into a way of life that would slowly consume us and all of our resources, while socialism would provide for them and their families forever. A couple of interesting tales related to the situation: In 1965 or 66, my grandfather somehow got word that one of the relatives was very ill and near death due to something that was easily treatable here in the West. Because Albania had no consulate or embassy here in the US, my Dad went to their mission in the UN in New York (I got to tag along because it was summer) and pleaded with the staff to allow him to send the drugs to treat this relative. I can recall the conversations well, as my Dad had proposed that they issue him a visa so that he could deliver them himself. The man we met with in the Albanian mission offices was very dark and stern, I recall quite vividly, and he told my Dad that they would issue a visa and allow him to transit the border, after which he would be on his own. Oh - they also mentioned that when he crossed into Albania that he would have to surrender his passport, which would be returned to him upon his departure. We went from there to a meeting with someone in the UN that was connected with our Department of State. As soon as Dad told them he was going to go to Albania, the man turned ashen and told him that he should get his affairs in order before he left. Reason being, that State would approve him to travel there since it was a humanitarian trip (there were travel restrictions on Albania) but that the likelihood that he would return would be slim at best. He also emphasized quite vehemently that once Dad crossed the border, there would be nothing that the US could do to help him due to our lack of a diplomatic relationship with Albania. The next day we went to a Red Cross office where they took all of the information Dad had on the relative and the drugs, and said that they would attempt to deliver them through the Red Cross, who was able to get things across the border. I don't know if they were successful or not, as the situation was never discussed with me after that. Do consider that I was all of maybe 6-7 years old at the time. One of the last letters I saw was from a cousin, who had written my grandfather after his death in 1995. My grandmother had the letter but was unable to read it, so she wasn't sure what to do. I was able to locate a faculty member at Washington University that could read and write Albanian through my orthodox priest. In essence, the letter was a plea for money, as they wanted a motorcycle so they could get back and forth to work. He read the translation to me, interpreting much of the context, explaining that it was clear (to him) that the writer was of the impression that we had large sums of money and could easily send them several thousand dollars I left it to my grandmother to respond, as I didn't know these people nor had I ever had contact with them. Whether or not she did I don't know. Our Greek Orthodox priest had some friends who went into Albania in the early 90s on an humanitarian mission. They were supposed to be there for a few weeks. When their departure date came and went and there was no contact with them, our priest and some of their family members started contacting the State Department and some aid organization
Re: [MBZ] Benz repair Albanian style
Dan Penoff wrote: These poor people literally believed that everyone in the West was rich beyond their wildest dreams, and that the streets were practically paved with gold. The government had painted us as totally decadent, self-centered, you name it we probably did it sort of people. Of course we were descending into a way of life that would slowly consume us and all of our resources, while socialism would provide for them and their families forever. The North Korean version of propaganda about USA: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dE-R96scSQM ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new and used parts go to www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://mail.okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
Re: [MBZ] Benz repair Albanian style
That is awesome, you should write all that down while you still remember it, and interview any other family members for their stories. That said, what is it with these commies? That little NORK troll is much the same, and he has a stupid haircut too. --R On 3/16/13 4:39 PM, Dan Penoff wrote: None. Why? I have relatives that live in Albania who were unable to make it out at the end of WWII, and are still there (these are uncles and cousins, with which we have had little contact with over the years.) Every few years my paternal grandfather would hear from them, usually in cryptic letters written either to him or other relatives in the US. Since Grandpa was fluent in 4-5 languages, including some of the regional Albanian dialects, letters that weren't written to him came to him for translation. I saw and had many of these letters read to me as a child, and they were quite telling as far as how the US and Western world was portrayed by the Albanian government. Remember that from just after WWII until a few year ago that Albania was one of the truly socialist countries in the world, and had closed borders and very limited contact with its neighbors or the outside world in general. These poor people literally believed that everyone in the West was rich beyond their wildest dreams, and that the streets were practically paved with gold. The government had painted us as totally decadent, self-centered, you name it we probably did it sort of people. Of course we were descending into a way of life that would slowly consume us and all of our resources, while socialism would provide for them and their families forever. A couple of interesting tales related to the situation: In 1965 or 66, my grandfather somehow got word that one of the relatives was very ill and near death due to something that was easily treatable here in the West. Because Albania had no consulate or embassy here in the US, my Dad went to their mission in the UN in New York (I got to tag along because it was summer) and pleaded with the staff to allow him to send the drugs to treat this relative. I can recall the conversations well, as my Dad had proposed that they issue him a visa so that he could deliver them himself. The man we met with in the Albanian mission offices was very dark and stern, I recall quite vividly, and he told my Dad that they would issue a visa and allow him to transit the border, after which he would be on his own. Oh - they also mentioned that when he crossed into Albania that he would have to surrender his passport, which would be returned to him upon his departure. We went from there to a meeting with someone in the UN that was connected with our Department of State. As soon as Dad told them he was going to go to Albania, the man turned ashen and told him that he should get his affairs in order before he left. Reason being, that State would approve him to travel there since it was a humanitarian trip (there were travel restrictions on Albania) but that the likelihood that he would return would be slim at best. He also emphasized quite vehemently that once Dad crossed the border, there would be nothing that the US could do to help him due to our lack of a diplomatic relationship with Albania. The next day we went to a Red Cross office where they took all of the information Dad had on the relative and the drugs, and said that they would attempt to deliver them through the Red Cross, who was able to get things across the border. I don't know if they were successful or not, as the situation was never discussed with me after that. Do consider that I was all of maybe 6-7 years old at the time. One of the last letters I saw was from a cousin, who had written my grandfather after his death in 1995. My grandmother had the letter but was unable to read it, so she wasn't sure what to do. I was able to locate a faculty member at Washington University that could read and write Albanian through my orthodox priest. In essence, the letter was a plea for money, as they wanted a motorcycle so they could get back and forth to work. He read the translation to me, interpreting much of the context, explaining that it was clear (to him) that the writer was of the impression that we had large sums of money and could easily send them several thousand dollars I left it to my grandmother to respond, as I didn't know these people nor had I ever had contact with them. Whether or not she did I don't know. Our Greek Orthodox priest had some friends who went into Albania in the early 90s on an humanitarian mission. They were supposed to be there for a few weeks. When their departure date came and went and there was no contact with them, our priest and some of their family members started contacting the State Department and some aid organizations to try and locate them. There was no word from them for nearly a month until they got a phone call late one evening.
Re: [MBZ] Benz repair Albanian style
None. Why? I have relatives that live in Albania who were unable to make it out at the end of WWII, and are still there (these are uncles and cousins, with which we have had little contact with over the years.) Every few years my paternal grandfather would hear from them, usually in cryptic letters written either to him or other relatives in the US. Since Grandpa was fluent in 4-5 languages, including some of the regional Albanian dialects, letters that weren't written to him came to him for translation. I saw and had many of these letters read to me as a child, and they were quite telling as far as how the US and Western world was portrayed by the Albanian government. Remember that from just after WWII until a few year ago that Albania was one of the truly socialist countries in the world, and had closed borders and very limited contact with its neighbors or the outside world in general. These poor people literally believed that everyone in the West was rich beyond their wildest dreams, and that the streets were practically paved with gold. The government had painted us as totally decadent, self-centered, you name it we probably did it sort of people. Of course we were descending into a way of life that would slowly consume us and all of our resources, while socialism would provide for them and their families forever. A couple of interesting tales related to the situation: In 1965 or 66, my grandfather somehow got word that one of the relatives was very ill and near death due to something that was easily treatable here in the West. Because Albania had no consulate or embassy here in the US, my Dad went to their mission in the UN in New York (I got to tag along because it was summer) and pleaded with the staff to allow him to send the drugs to treat this relative. I can recall the conversations well, as my Dad had proposed that they issue him a visa so that he could deliver them himself. The man we met with in the Albanian mission offices was very dark and stern, I recall quite vividly, and he told my Dad that they would issue a visa and allow him to transit the border, after which he would be on his own. Oh - they also mentioned that when he crossed into Albania that he would have to surrender his passport, which would be returned to him upon his departure. We went from there to a meeting with someone in the UN that was connected with our Department of State. As soon as Dad told them he was going to go to Albania, the man turned ashen and told him that he should get his affairs in order before he left. Reason being, that State would approve him to travel there since it was a humanitarian trip (there were travel restrictions on Albania) but that the likelihood that he would return would be slim at best. He also emphasized quite vehemently that once Dad crossed the border, there would be nothing that the US could do to help him due to our lack of a diplomatic relationship with Albania. The next day we went to a Red Cross office where they took all of the information Dad had on the relative and the drugs, and said that they would attempt to deliver them through the Red Cross, who was able to get things across the border. I don't know if they were successful or not, as the situation was never discussed with me after that. Do consider that I was all of maybe 6-7 years old at the time. One of the last letters I saw was from a cousin, who had written my grandfather after his death in 1995. My grandmother had the letter but was unable to read it, so she wasn't sure what to do. I was able to locate a faculty member at Washington University that could read and write Albanian through my orthodox priest. In essence, the letter was a plea for money, as they wanted a motorcycle so they could get back and forth to work. He read the translation to me, interpreting much of the context, explaining that it was clear (to him) that the writer was of the impression that we had large sums of money and could easily send them several thousand dollars I left it to my grandmother to respond, as I didn't know these people nor had I ever had contact with them. Whether or not she did I don't know. Our Greek Orthodox priest had some friends who went into Albania in the early 90s on an humanitarian mission. They were supposed to be there for a few weeks. When their departure date came and went and there was no contact with them, our priest and some of their family members started contacting the State Department and some aid organizations to try and locate them. There was no word from them for nearly a month until they got a phone call late one evening. The people had been detained by the government as "spies" and were being held in a party member's house while the government decided what to do with them. A local farmer knew of their presence and helped them escape over the Greek border one night. My grandfather was smuggled out of the countr
Re: [MBZ] Benz repair Albanian style
That Mercedes was probably stolen. Boatloads of Mercedes cars were/are stolen from surrounding European nations such as Greece, Italy, etc and end up in Albania. Sent from my iPhone On Mar 16, 2013, at 2:17 PM, Rich Thomas wrote: > Scroll down to see it > http://www.wired.com/rawfile/2013/03/david-galjaard-albanian-bunkers/?viewall=true > > --R > > ___ > http://www.okiebenz.com > For new and used parts go to www.okiebenz.com > To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ > > To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: > http://mail.okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new and used parts go to www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://mail.okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
Re: [MBZ] Benz repair Albanian style
A pity for all of us, even ours. Wonder how many children all of that money could have educated, fed or clothed? Wilton - Original Message - From: "Rich Thomas" To: "Mercedes Discussion List" Sent: Saturday, March 16, 2013 2:17 PM Subject: [MBZ] Benz repair Albanian style Scroll down to see it http://www.wired.com/rawfile/2013/03/david-galjaard-albanian-bunkers/?viewall=true --R ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new and used parts go to www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://mail.okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new and used parts go to www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://mail.okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
