Though I do not much speak Spanish, knowing Italian has helped me immensely to understand the gist of what people are saying. This has proved very helpful for getting around or getting things done while here in Spain (first in Madrid and now in Granada for Campus Party Milenio).

My realization
On the flip side, I have come to realize the sad fact that most Spaniards I’ve met do not know much English or any other language for that matter. So the challenge of communicating and being understood has made me want to over use those few words that I know in Spanish.

Moreover, a greater realization for me has been the fact that most former imperial nations (the English, the French, the Spaniards, etc.,) tend not to see the benefit of learning another language as they assume or have found out that most anywhere else they may travel in the world there are enough people speaking their own language!

Breakfast with three Spaniards
While in Spain at Campus Party, I set down for breakfast at a table with three other Spaniards, one of whom was into modeling robotics, and the other two were involved in the social media and creativity aspects of the web (same as me). Being an extrovert in these situations, I introduced myself in English, but quickly realized that I was not being fully understood. Italian was a bit more successful but nevertheless a challenge for them. So rugged Spanish it was!

As our chopped up conversation went on I asked the innocent question of why most of them did not speak much English or any other language. Promptly the response came that there were enough speaking Spanish people in other countries that they did not find it necessary to learn another language proficiently. They did admit that their English language proficiency was necessary for watching movies, but not much else.

Final reflections
First off, learning another language in most cases is utilitarian. You learn it because you want or need to use it otherwise lack of will/desire make learning another language just a chore. Learning Spanish has never been a priority for me but if I lived in Spain it would be of great use. But most people I find are not interested to expand their language(s) as much as their knowledge in specific areas of interest which help them become experts and then develop or use that as their means of communication.

At this event, though I find most people don’t speak each other’s language, they have the willingness to deepen their knowledge and understanding of ideas/concepts/technologies that will impact and change the world in the future.

New technological inventions are creating new ways to communicate and to live.

First, the Albanian online bookstore had me going the whole day as we were processing about three times as many order as we do normally, so that kept me quite busy as everything has to be micromanaged so as to ensure that things would get done as they should.

Second, as I am not one who says no to extra cash when I can, I undertook to do some translation work and support the Press Office of Klik Ekspo Group, which is the organizer of the Tirana International Fair.

Since I got back from the U.S. in 2004 I’ve done all sorts of translation work off and on. This time I was doing it again in one-on-one in meetings, translation of marketing materials, press releases, at the press conference, etc. I even got to translate at the Opening Press Conference for the Fair, where Prime Minister Berisha was the main speaker. That was my second time translating for him. Though I don’t care much for the man, politically or otherwise, he does understand the needs of translators for short sentences and can be supporting in that regard.

Finishing my MBA @ Regent
Third, but considerably greater, was finishing my MBA which was by far the largest and most intensive engagement of the year end for me. It took me three years to finish a degree which should have taken me only 2 years plus one semester. The reasons were simple. I skipped two semesters to get married, become a full-time entrepreneur and support my wife when our son was born!

Finishing this MBA was a particular challenge both intellectually and emotionally. I truly intended on finishing the program in time, but as all my friends tell me, it was worth postponing it two semesters in view of all the other major things that have happened in these past three years. It was an intellectual challenge as the final semester and final project required me to review everything I had studied till then and put it into a cohesive final project with all its elements. It was an emotional challenge, as I feared that my extreme workload would somehow impact my final semester. To put it another way, I was in no mood to even consider withdrawing due to workload. The thought of retaking the final semester for a grade improvement was just too much.

Anyway, now it’s done and I am already considering the wild idea of a doctorate in leadership, but I think I will lay that to rest for a bit longer as I cannot say I have fully recovered from the three year journey.

What Now? Future Plans
For now, I am still trying to figure out how to best utilize the extra time that I have every evening of the week (as I don’t have to stay at home studying for my MBA). Spending more time with my family is definitively a top priority.

Reading books: Also, I’ve already amassed a list of books that I intend on reading, so that is one thing that I want to get back at again, though for now I’m taking it very slowly.

Albanian Bookstore: I will continue to invest a considerable time on the bookstore and focus on several major projects that I have not been able to work on due to the aforementioned obligations and workload.

Part-time job/consulting/teaching: A part-time engagement somewhere is also a viable alternative as I see myself expanding my professional experience at every chance that I get and the extra cash is always welcome. I am currently waiting on a response from a company interested in my online marketing skills, so we’ll see if that panes out, if not I am still satisfied to continue consulting on the side while I focus on some other projects.

The other venue where I know I will be focusing in the future has to do with teaching. I do not intend on starting anything this year, but next year I will start to seriously consider my options. If you’re reading this, then do let me know if you have any ideas.

Another website: Another such project regards the establishment of a business consulting website which will be the foundation for a book idea I’ve had since I started my MBA. But, I’m still doing research and writing the first ten or so articles.

I was so enthused to find out about this little known online radio, which broadcasts such music all day long. It is great for listening to while working in front of a computer, or working around the office or at home, at any time of the day.

Let me know what you think…

Don’t forget to bookmark it. Happy listening!

Update: I just got an email confirmation by the administrators that the radio has about 3000 listeners a month. I guess now the number it’s at least 3001

Rick Fox Eliza and Nate Dushku at Rozafa Castle in Shkodra Albania

It was truly fascinating and interesting to read Eliza Dushku’s (actress) perspective on her visit and discovery of being an Albanian. Below is an excerpt from the article on Huffington Post.

“Looking back at the recent weeks we’ve spent there, I feel foolish for anticipating I could understand Albania in less than a life time, but the process has been exciting, and at the same time humbling.

…

“It gets under your skin.” My “Albanian-ness” goes deeper as I spend time there. The more often I go, the more I realize there is more to the story. There are so many stories to tell — most are full of a kind of ancient mystery that requires a wider and deeper lens. I did feel something quite different on this trip to the “Home Country.” After countless conversations with open and passionate people who feel deep ties to Albania, for the first time I could imagine saying that “I know what it feels like to be Albanian.” I am coming to understand the complexity of the mixture of pride and sadness over what so many have lived through, or heard repeated in their tender youthful ears by those they loved, about the triumphs and the defeats this nation has experienced — as individuals and as a community.

Thus, when I was generously invited to become an Albanian citizen, I felt no reluctance. I felt honored and able to accept this gift. I felt even more like who I am. I retain, of course, my American citizenship. I am that, too. But it is no stretch for me to proclaim that as of August 17, 2011, I, Eliza Patricia Dushku, am an Albanian-American.”

At least, that’s how I think I got invited to a technology festival called “Campus Party – Millenio”– which is sponsored by the Department of Culture, Tourism and Commerce of Spain in and brings together about 600 participants from some 22 European countries in Granada, Spain.

Personally, I could not say no to the invitation as I thought it was a great chance to participate in something I don’t get to go to everyday. Moreover, I’ve always considered myself an internet enthusiast and early adopter of technologies and gadgets, so this event is a great opportunity to emerge myself in just that type of an environment with other likeminded people.

This is an excerpt from the official invitation:

In order to celebrate the Millenary event created by the Kingdom of Granada Foundation, the Committee in charge of the event preparation, in collaboration with the Department of Culture, Tourism and Commerce of Spain, will celebrate a special event dedicated to new technologies and Internet from the 12th to 16th of October 2011 in Granada, Spain.

During five days, more than 500 participants coming from the 22 Mediterranean countries will enjoy more than 100 hours of conferences, activities and forums related to new technologies, sciences, digital creativity and Internet, among others.

This showcase will present new projects and talents, and is an international and unique experience that will show up Granada as a bridge of innovation between the Orient and the Occident. This is also a great opportunity to promote relationships between the participants of each invited country, emphasizing the role of the Information Technologies (IT) in the economical, environmental development and the international cooperation.

Technology picnic

The organizes of the event have called this a technology festival, which it is, but as I was packing my sleeping bag and getting my things ready for a one week stay in Spain, I was rather inclined to think of the event as a “technology picnic” for the simple fact that during our stay we will be camping out in tents and sleeping in sleeping-bags at the venue.

I am in Spain as I post this article here. I’ll probably write some more once I get some time to settle.

Albanian University (copyright: The Nailman on Flicker)

Thanks to a hint from a friend, I got to read a very interesting article pointing out the splurge of private universities in the region and in Albania in particular. The author counted some 10 public and over 30 private universities, which beats the rest of the Balkan countries.

As someone who aspires toward a teaching career at a university (after I complete my MBA), I find this current reality of concern because of its extremes. Meanwhile, I understand that it will take some time for the situation to consolidate (number to decrease) with some of the smaller universities closing out or merging into bigger ones.

However, of bigger concern are the extremes in terms of the quality of courses and teaching offered to students. I’ve gotten to visit several private university campuses and talked to both professors and students and constantly watching out for new developments.

There is one particular university that is best known for its somewhat gorilla marketing techniques (leaflets on cars, in the streets, posted everywhere). It has been attracting a growing number of generally middle to lower-class students through cheap degree courses.

My first impression when entering their campus was that of walking into something like a prison due to the number of security personnel that guarded the premises. Most of the students could not afford books so they photocopied and shared notes. I also got to meet and talk with some of the teachers but cannot say I was impressed in any particular way!

Another university, which I’ve also gotten to visit several times, is also very well known for its sponsorships and high media/political profile of its administrator. It does carry a unique European flavor to its academic life and its teachers are some of the best (judging by their degrees) as well as its curriculum (based on the books it uses). I have also gotten to talk to several of its students, which I know personally and I’ve been sad to find both extremes in terms of those who study hard and those who get by plagiarizing and copying notes during exams.

The future seems murky but with time the various universities will have to distinguish themselves somehow and my hope is that quality of teaching will be among the top criteria.

P.S. Check out full list of Tirana pictures by The Nailman on Flicker

Also recently, Albania’s Minister of Innovation and ICT Genc Pollo declared that in the last six years Albania has made steps forward regarding the increase of internet penetration rate to above 50%, which is very encouraging but still relatively low.

Mobile operators are also pushing their customers to take advantage of their internet capable mobile devices so adoption has increased markedly, especially among the younger generations.

The trend is expected only to grow further, and so is the expansion of online services and products offered by businesses. More and more businesses are getting their websites up and the demand should stay steady for years to come.

The government is expanding its e-government initiatives and projects (often with external financing and support e.g. EU, USAID, etc). Thus all ministries and general institutions have their own individual websites.

The authority responsible to the registration of .al domains has also seen an increase in the number of applications.

The American says:
- Our science is very advanced. We are now able to attach a severed human hand.
- That is nothing – says the Russian! Our science is so advanced that we have attached a severed human head.

The Albanian bounces forward and says: You know? Our science is so advanced that we can take a person, cut him/her to pieces, detach everything, grind him up into ground meat and he/she still votes for Fatos Nano!

Original joke is in Albanian – translated by me.

The problem with corruption in Albania is not that the government has not committed to doing something about it, but that in effect it has done nothing – period!

Reference article here and here

Why Borsh
Borsh is a family place as it seems to be preferred by a lot of them. Even the owner of the place we rented testified to the fact that the number of families with small children had grown each year. You find families from all over Albania and Europe. If you look at cars’ license plates, one in two is Albanian and the rest are from somewhere else. People are friendly, though you have to have some local contact to help you find a decent place with a good price for however many days you may want to stay.

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The Drive
The drive from Tirana is about 4.5-6 hours. Not that you need to spend 6 hours driving but the allure of stopping for some lunch/dinner in Llogara (mountain top) or somewhere else on the Ionian coast, makes it much more enjoyable as a trip.

The national road is paved and as soon as you come down the mountain of Llogara the scenery is the best in the country. Windy roads running around and on top of mountains, bay areas, small and major beaches, are just pure enjoyment. Then you get to the local road which leads you to the beach of Borsh, which due to use by heavy machinery has been gutted out and ruined as if there was no road before. Nevertheless, the pain is bearable and the final result is all worth it.

Night Life
Night life seems to be dominated by one restaurant/coffee place – Blue Days, which during the day serves coffees and at night light dinners, but it’s best known for its loud music that can be heard throughout the beach starting in the early evening till 12 ‘o clock every night. The music selection is relatively the same with a great mix of folk songs and a few contemporary international pop. It seems to be a good mix for families of all ages that often dance to it till the music is turned down for public.

The Beach Area
Borsh is a 5 km pebble beach, with crisp clean waters and immediate depth, which does not make it very ideal for small children, but parents seem to mitigate this issue with small inflatable pools filled with water (which is what we did for our son as well).

Comparison to Radhime
Prior to coming to Borsh we had been for two weeks in Radhime (just outside Vlora) which is a very nice reserved bay with smaller man-made bays where people can bathe. The water there is warmer due to the way it is enclosed in the bay, but in Borsh the water situation is slightly cooler by a few degrees. Not a big deal, just something that you notice if you’ve bathed in other beaches. The main reason is due to the underwater streams which come down from the mountains, which also contribute to the water’s purity and transparency.

Other observations about prices, accommodation and local Borsh people
With the increase in tourist local people have started to invest regularly into improving the infrastructure and tourist facilities. Most have invested into building apartment houses with basic furnishings and generally good conditions.

Prices range anywhere from 60-80 euro per night in the most expensive hotel of the Borsh beach, to other places which go anywhere from 35,30,30 and even less than 20 euro (2000 leke) per night for rooms which often can accommodate up to 4-5 people. If you choose  room near the beach it would obviously cost you more than one that is a bit further up the hill or near the end of the beach line.

The main baker of the village, who also owns a small general store, this year had expanded his venture to establish a new mini-market with a wider variety of products and better conditions. Food prices are slightly higher. A normal pizza which in Tirana would cost around 3 Euros (350 leke), is about 4.5 Euros (600 leke), which does not make it that appealing as that is the same quality. However, most pizza places use wood to cook, which makes for a better tasting anything.

One interesting observation that was made to me by a local villager, was how tourism has impacted the way the local villagers have changed from being slightly lazy to become much more “entrepreneurial” as the inflow of tourists has made many of them richer though working only 3-4 months a year.

Another interesting observation for me was the fact that many of those who would generally work in Greece during the summer season had started to come back to invest and work at home, partly because of the Greek crisis and partly because the timing was right for many of them.