Tirana

Tirana

Our trip in Italy was great. But novelty waned quickly, much quicker than we thought. So we decided to cross the Adriatic Sea to Albania. After one night’s sleep on a ferry, we are in Albania. 

Taking a taxi ride from the port city of Durres, also the second largest city in Albania, we arrived at Tirana, the capital, soon. Taxi is cheaper and easier to get in Albania than in Italy.

We are also surprised to find exchange rates are much better for customers in Albania than in Italy. Currency exchange shops are everywhere in Tirana. 

Lodgings and food are also cheaper. In essence, as travelers, we are better off.

When I grew up, I heard a lot about Albania. It was supposed to be the only socialist beacon in Europe. In practice, it meant massive aid programs to Albania, while ordinary Chinese people, especially peasants, were starving. Of course, I didn’t connect the starvation of Chinese people with its foreign policy at an early age. 

Albania, like any other country, has a long history. At Tirana, houses and buildings are generally a lot newer than in Italy. That is probably better for local residents. Tirana as a whole is a giant construction site. Roads are mostly narrow, with heavy and congested traffic. In one place, near the city center of Tirana, we saw a tiny piece of shantytown, among the giant development projects. Probably it is the last remnant of the old world. It might be gone shortly.

Major landmarks, buildings and parks are heavily concentrated in city center, which makes it a nice walk. We are going to take a bus to other places. We checked the bus station today. It is still under construction, but is already operating. Each bus has a sign for its destination. Riders simply ask for schedule and buy tickets from drivers. It is a chaotic and efficient system.