Most spend their whole life trying to avoid death, but when it starts coming at you head first… What do you do? How do you react? Our time in Albania has escalated beyond belief because of the COVID-19 worldwide pandemic.

This is our account of how a small, Mediterranean country in the Balkans dealt with the Coronavirus outbreak.

Maria suffers from asthma which means she is at risk if she contracts the virus. She is quite an independent woman and needs to be told to slow down sometimes.

I also have a myriad of health issues that put me at risk. When I go to the hospital, I am simply reminded of the Simpsons episode where Mr. Burns gets a check-up.

“You are the sickest person in the United States, you have everything.”

All jokes aside, our time here has been a test for our bodies, minds and faith. Thank goodness for cute Albanian animals keeping our spirits up; both the hostel cat and a baby Herman tortoise has been keeping us company.