RE:Kosova Brief.

[Guest guest]

Hi .

I have been in Kosova since Sept last year, so let me answer some of your

questions.

The kit list will, of course, depend on what type of job you are going to do

in Kosova (this is the correct spelling and not the American version. The

locals much appreciate it if you can spell it correctly, as we would do in

Engaland!!). Lots of people speak English, and some chat away in French or

German.

Let me start by describing what the place is like, and it is nothing like as

bad as you may imaging. I live in the capital - Pristina and we like most

companies and agencies out here hire houses for accommodation. The type and

standard various as it would in any other place on earth. We have three

houses to accommodate eleven pax and the average cost is DM3000 per month.

In any of the other large towns or cities the situation is the same.

Ohh!! let me state now that the currency used is the German Mark. (current

exchange rate is 3 to the pound).

Security is comparable to UK. Leave your door open or unlocked and there is

a chance someone will walk in. It has happened to one or two agencies (or

NGO's - Non-Government Organisations). We have even had people going into

minefields and stealing the mines!!

Water and electrics can be a pain sometimes as they are on/off fairly

regularly but you can get bottled water very easily and battery or gas

powered appliances can be brought in one of the numerous markets.

Food is plentiful, despite what the UN's World Food Programme will tell

you - NO ONE IS STARVING IN THIS PLACE!! Markets have fresh veg and the

supermarkets are well stocked. The whole " country " is littered with a

variety of restaurants and cafes (I had a very good Indian meal last

night!). Depending on your status and which organisation/agency you are

working for will dictate if you can get assess to the whole range of Forces

PX and NAAFI facilities that exist. The Norwegian PX is the best and the

Supreme PX is best for bulk food buying.

There is only one bank functioning at present and that is not too good so

plenty of cash is the answer (no limitations on bringing it in) or you can

nip across to Skopjie (Macedonian) and use the Cash Points there - round

trip easily done in a day.

Customs are not a problem for anything (legal) and you do not have to slip

the odd DM10 for them to turn a blind eye. If you come into Pristina direct,

by air, you will be meet by the UN Border Police and they are OK.

Medically; make sure you, or your company/agency, has medical evac

insurance. You would not want to rely on the indigenous medical facilities.

At best they are basic and the best are totally over crowded. Language would

be a problem and there is no real functioning ambulance service throughout

the country. Again, depending on your status and which organisation/agency

you are working for will dictate if you can get assess to the military

facilities but you would still need medivac insurance cover.

You can buy most common medicines in the local pharmacies (Banitores or

Farmaci to use the local names). Twenty Valium will cost you around DM3 and

ten Nitrazepam will be about DM2. However, without a prescription you will

not get any injectables or inhalers etc but a full range of antibiotics,

plasters, dressing and syringes/needles can be found. We brought eight good

quality Sphygmos and stethoscopes on the main market for a very reasonable

price.

Clothing - well as for Europe at the corresponding time of year. Today was

45 - 47 C with a light breeze so shorts a t-shirt are acceptable. Winter can

be " wet-cold " down to minus 15 - 20 C. Commercial laundries do not exist but

the Supreme PX has a one day service. All rented houses have a washing

machine, so no get problem.

Well anything I have missed?? Let me know.

Cheers and if you let me know what you will be doing and for who perhaps I

can give you some further info!!

Take care

S.

PS. There are plenty of internet cafes or use a dual band mobile and a

laptop.

PPS. Whilst on that. The phone service is not reliable and in most parts

totally knackered thanks to NATO bombs. Everybody has a mobile, either bring

one in or buy a card phone here - they are cheap.

PPPS. There is no mail service operational yet, so unless you can get to a

Goverment agency such as UK's DFID you will not be able to send or recieve

mail.

Re: [] Job Offer (leave relief)

Hi to all, been a tad adrift for a while, back online now, hi to Ross, Ian

(both) and others who know me.

This is a bit off topic, slightly, what do you guys/ gals recommend as kit ,

to be taken, medical or personal for a support job in Kossovo?

Any specifics that you cannot get locally?

What's the accomodation status, under canvas, portakabins, bivvies, local

secure buildings u/c UN ????

How much gear can you take without getting stung by customs, airlines or

nicked by officials on the way in?

Advice from those in the know would be appreciated by a number of my

contacts. A suggested kit list would be useful, for some of the less

experienced.

Best to all and good luck.

Carpenter