Set off around 6 am towards Tirana, Albania's capital. We usually try to avoid big cities but here we had no choice.
The ride into town was quite the adventure because the nice highway gave way to a pretty sad looking, cracked, patched up and pot holed stretch of busy road through the sprawling suburbs. It was my first time dodging holes and bumps along side horse carts loaded with rebar or hay, scooters, tractors and, of course, the never ending variety of well- used- looking to severely beat up Mercedez-Benz cars. As James likes to say, " This is not where Western European Mercedez discards come to die; no, this is where they come to kill each other. "
Despite the more "free-form" nature of Albanian roads, compared to back in Canada, we felt quite safe. Although traffic was busy, the drivers are clearly used to seeing all kinds of modes of transportation on the roads so we were just another obstacle that gets honked at and then passed with a respectful distance. We still arent sure why Albanians honk at everything infront of them. They do it so consistently, including in situations on a big, open, multi lane road with no other traffic besides us and a vehicle approaching from behind...and yes, it honks.
Since we never felt any agression towards us from the drivers, and since many scooters and bicyclists swerve around on the road rather unpredictably, I concluded that the honking is more of a "Caution, big vehicle approaching!" rather than " Get off the road!".
Another odd thing we noticed along about a 4km stretch into town was that both sides of the road were lined with furniture stores, and furniture stores....and more furniture stores. There was the odd house or mechanic shop to break up the pattern just to be followed by five more furniture stores one after the other. So strange! Speaking of competition!!
If you are refurnishing your house it may be financially feasible to fly to Tirana and shop here. The deals must be fantastic!
In the center park we treated ourselves to more burek and yogurt for breakfast. Mmmmmmmmmmmm love it!
In the park a kind man sat on the bench next to ours and we started chatting. He turned out to be a Jehovas Witness. The conversation got quite interesting when we told him what our religious beliefs are. It is very admirable and humbling to see with what devotion, conviction and zeal JW's go around spreading the "good news". What is so sad though is what they are preaching is just another version of a works righteousness attempt to salvation. We hope and pray that our new friend Tirana Center Park will one day realize that his efforts cannot contribute to his salvation.
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