It’s Christmas that means that we stand still and think about the people we have around us, the ones we love. We dress well, prepare the Christmas tree with lights and Christmas balls, prepare the most delicious food and eat and drink as never before. Under the Christmas tree or the socks at the chimney are stuffed with presents. A family sitting at the dining table with bright shining candles in a cosy warm house. Laughing together another glass of wine gets filled and get the turkey undone of his body parts. Enjoying all the food which is on the table and if we think we are full we stretch our stomach a bit more for the desert.

Christmas is this year completely different for me, I’m in Albania in Boret to be precise. It’s weird and beautiful at the same time. Weird to be in another country far away from my friends and a part of my family. Weird because in Albania the most common religion is Islam, so Christmas is not a big thing over here. Weird to be confronted with the poverty who prevails here. Weird to see people begging for money on the streets. Weird to see that a 75 years old man still has to breed his sheep to survive.

It’s also beautiful to have a part of my family ,my parents, with me during Christmas. Beautiful to be far away from the capitalistic madness around Christmas. Beautiful to enjoy such a wonderful country. Beautiful to give our contribution to the poor people in the streets of Albania. Beautifull to realise there is another side of the medal. For me Christmas is thinking about those who have less welfare, those who live on the streets begging for their Christmas meal, those who lost their loved ones, those who are sick, those who are alone during Christmas, those who had to escape from their country, those who haven’t the same changes which are so “normal” for us.My biggest wish for Christmas is that we finally live in harmony, equality, peace and love for everybody on earth regardless of our background, skin colour, sexual preference or religion.

When i woke up this morning I realised how blessed I’m that I’m healthy and that i have the change to travel. I’m grateful for all the support I received last year, grateful for a the beautiful people who contribute to Foundation DreamCycle and grateful for a the donations.

Today is the day to think about where we are grateful for, to think about our blessings and privileges. Today is the day to think about others who are maybe not have the same situation. I made today the decision to do every Christmas something for charity. A donation for a foundation, a Christmas package for poor people or prepare a Christmas meal for a homeless. Something to make the world a better place for everyone. Are you with me?