Don't visit Albania

I've been in Albania since early September 2009. Albania is, well, difficult to describe. Its people are incredibly hospitable, very hard-working, extremely critical of their situation, and fiercely nationalistic. That description should be enough to describe a socio-economic stew.

I am not going to discuss the history of Albania. It's already been done, and done better than I can ever attempt to do it. What I will write about are my experiences here; what I see, feel, and how I live.

I live in a two bedroom apartment/villa. It's modern, well heated, and the from all appearances well built. It has a bidet in my big bathroom, and that is more than I can say for many abodes in the United States of America. I had to install one in the house I own in the USA. My kitchen here is ample enough to have a table and four chairs. It has all modern appliances. My living room-dining room combination is roomy, and I can boast that I have a working wood fireplace.

The front of my apartment has a spacious balcony where I can sit and smoke a cigar and, if I am lucky, see the after glow of a beautiful Mediterranean sunset.

I live in Tirana. Tirana is the capital city of Albania, and it is a bustling city. Vehicular traffic in Tirana is heavy. There are people driving to and fro all hours of the day. There are people walking everywhere. Albania, after all, in in Europe where people walk instead of drive. Yet, it seems that here almost every one has a car, and that car is a Mercedes-Benz. It is rumored that there are more Mercedes-Benz per capita in Tirana than in any other city in the world. I think it's true.

I like Tirana. I like it because it is busy. People, cars, motorcycles, scooters, trucks. And people. Albanians complain about the congestion of people and cars in Tirana. Imagine if this capital city had no traffic problems, or if people chose to live in another city in the country? What statement would that make for the country if its capital city was not bustling? Few Albanians can answer these questions when I ask. I understand the source of their complaints. But, I am glad that Tirana is such a bustling city.

I called this piece "Don't visit Albania." I did this for a reason. Last year Albania had more tourists than any other country in the European continent. People are learning about Albania. Foreign visits are bound to be very positive for the country. Foreigners have different expectations than the local populace. Foreigners have demands, specifically in the area of customer service. These expectations and demands will make Albania grow, as it attempts to put its best face forward. Pity. I like Albania just the way it is. Don't visit Albania.