We're used to seeing KFOR troops around Prizren but were surprised on Christmas when we saw them outside of the Catholic church.   Frank was wondering why the Catholics needed protection.  Catholics are readily accepted by the dominant Albanian Muslim population despite a long history of clashes with the Serbians Orthodox Church.  As Frank explained in an earlier post, there were about 50 German troops attending Christmas Mass inside.  Frank is right about it being cold in church.  You can see your breath when you sing or pray aloud!

I know Christmas is over in the U.S., but the celebration is just beginning here for the Orthodox Christmas which will be celebrated with a holiday for schools and businesses on January 7.   Yesterday in the grocery store, all of the check out clerks had Santa hats on. 

Despite the predominately Muslim population, the whole town is decorated with Christmas bells, lights, and this tree with reindeer in Shadervan Square.  There are Santas who pose for photos with young children at Etc., the local equivalent of Walmart.  The Muslim population considers these things New Year's decorations and activities although there are plenty of signs saying "Merry Christmas" in Albanian and English.

This is another view of Shadervan Square in Prizren with the Turkish mosque in the background and the fortress on the top of the hill.

A street near the Catholic church in Prizren.

Here is a sidewalk fireworks stand on December 31  2 blocks from our apartment.  Firecrackers have been going off for weeks around town.  On New Year's Eve when midnight struck, there were huge independent fireworks going off all over the city.  Frank took some photos of the displays, many of which were a few blocks from our apartment.  We were surrounded by huge fireworks that rivaled the displays we've seen in California and in Denver.  About 10 huge different-colored fireworks lit up the sky at the same time every few seconds in random locations, and this celebrating went on for about 20 minutes non-stop.  We figure that the fireworks must be pretty cheap judging by the number being lit up.