Flying for Kosovo

Progress is being made and I am on my second island stop in the Caribbean. After many hours of flying over water, I was glad to see land again. Upon reaching the island, I also noticed that the island has lots of wildfires. After landing, I quickly understood why. In addition to temperatures being 91°F / 33°C, it is also the drought season here which means that it is also very dry. Despite the wildfires, I was still able to view parts of this beautiful island.

Though the international airport of Trinidad presented a few challenges and was unlike Aruba, the people of Trinidad are wonderful. My stay here was short, but I was able to speak with the local press (See article The Trinidad Guardian). Upon return to the airport, it took about six hours of waiting around for paperwork and permits, etc. to be completed. I am now ready to fly to my next stop, which is Grenada.

The Trinidad Guardian

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After facing many challenges getting out of South America, I have now made my way into the Islands of the Caribbean. What a welcome I received in Aruba. As soon as I walked into the FBO (Fixed Based Operations) building (which was even air-conditioned!), I was struck by the level of hospitality that I am used to and so dearly missed. I will remember forever being greeted by the office workers offering me an ice-cold Coca-Cola. Thank you Aruba. My joy in reaching a world that I am used to cannot be expressed in written words.
Aruba is a beautiful island with wonderful people. Even though I was far away from home, the hospitality of the Arubian people made me feel welcomed right away. The great people at The Morning News opened the doors to their home right away and made me feel extremely comfortable there. I wish that time wasn’t such an issue during this trip. Otherwise, I would have enjoyed spending much more of it on this beautiful island with blue oceans, beautiful sandy beaches and such welcoming shores.

The media in Aruba showed great interest in Kosovo’s issues. They were very pleased to know that someone from a country as far away as Kosovo thinks of them and respects their contributions.
Thank you to Aruba and it’s warm and welcoming people. May we meet again in the future.

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Dear friends, brothers, and sisters:

I am proud to announce to all of you that the third and final phase of our mission “Flying For Kosovo” has started in Aruba and the Caribbean islands. It has been a great pleasure having all of your support during my entire mission. Your energy, moral and financial support has kept me going for the past several amazing and unforgettable months. I have learned a lot from each of you individually. Without all of your support and encouragement it would have been impossible to accomplish such a journey.

I am sure our mission will serve its purpose and life will continue. However, the tremendous amount of education and awareness that we have raised for Kosovo and its people and the knowledge that we have each learned in this mission is priceless. I have to admit and face something to all of you. I was very ignorant before I started our mission as far as the magnitude of difficulties I would face and all of the ‘red tape’ associated with flying to and within each individual country. Growing up in Switzerland and the USA has given me a wide perspective of the world, but this mission has taught me that each country is individual and unique and that, often times, things are done very different than what I am accustomed to. Many times it has taken me 3-10 times more energy and financial burden to get anything done.

No matter how many difficulties I have faced, continuing the mission has been my first and most important priority. The people that I have met in each country have been wonderful. I have learned so much from all of you. Your daily presence will be missed, but memories will never cease to exist. My heart is filled with gratitude for the kindness that I have received from everyone. May higher powers bless all of you and thank you again from the bottom of my heart for all your contributions small or large.
Your dear friend,

James Berisha