Saturday, January 21, 2023

Albania - what to see in the Capital and on the Coast

Albania is on the coast, to the north of the west coast of Greece.

Surrounding countries include Greece to the south, which accounts for why some people in the south speak Greek. If you already know Greek, that might come in handy.

Albania has wineries and hiking trails. The capital is Tirana. Mother Teresa airport is 15 minutes from the city.

The capital, Tirana

The capital has a cathedral and three major museums.

The National Historical Museum

The National Historical Museums has nine rooms, arranged historically. Each section is for a different time period.

The House of Leaves

The House of Leaves is a pun or double entendre. Outside it was once covered in leaves, in a forest, to disguise it. Inside it contains leaves of books, about the Communist era, which used to keep records of everybody

The House of Ismail Kadare

The House of Isrmail Kadare features the author, who is still alive. His books have been made into films. The plots, or settings, sound rather grim. One is about Italian and German generals seeking the bodies of dead soldiers from a previous war to repatriate them. Another film, The Traitor's Niche, is about the display of heads of executed traitors.

However, in his books, the writing, both the thoughts and the metaphors, even in translation, are effective. Here are some examples:

The writer is always, to some extent, in exile, wherever he is, because he is somehow outside, separated from the others; there is always a distance.

In our city spring came from the sky, not from the soil.

Clouds dashed about in all directions ...

Shiny musical instruments wailed, their mouths open like lilies

The house has lots of quotations from the author, and his wife who is also an author.

Other Sights

See the old bridge.

Eat at the Yogurteri.

The Coast

The coast is known for its beaches.

Travelling Onwards

Tirana's airport is called Mother Teresa, so you can learn the word mother which looks not like mama but like nana.

Tirana International Airport Nënë Tereza

On the Facebook page for the airport you can watch a video.

Wikipedia showed many airlines including BA (British Airways) going to and from Heathrow airport in London.

Skyscanner claimed to find us the cheapest flight on the date we suggested - it was Wizz Air to Luton.

Montenegro

As the country is adjacent to several others, you have several ways of doing a side trip. From Albania, you might wish to make a side trip or two centre stay seeing Montenegro which is north of Albania. Montenegro has two major attractions, the cliffside monastery, and the island of Sveti Stefan, which is a village turned into a hotel.