Tirana, ALBANIA

It was a mere 16 years since the brutal and depressing rule (first USSR aligned and later China) of Communist Party leader Enver Hoxha came to an end in Albania (well...he actually died earlier than communism here, buried in the Hero's acre in 1985...and in 2001 his remains were dug up and re-buried in a small grave in the common graveyard at the other end of town).

Albania, and capital city Tirana, has been on a major path of transformation since then. Yip....I am 16 years too late to witness the real old communist Albania. Fortunately, around town still lots of reminders of the old days. The Tirana of 2007 is quite a modern town, and frankly....quite a lovely and vibrant town. Lots of friendly Albanians, few visible tourists, hardly any English spoken, lots of little farmer's markets, cheap and fresh produce, lots of neighborhood bars with beer on tap, grilled sausages, and local Albanian cuisine. Very affordable indeed. In all, a real nice town!!

Though small and rather neglected, and in an off the beaten track area....at least, Mother Theresa got her statue! (photo at right)

I'll be slowly working my way up north towards Montenegro and Croatia along the Adriatic coast.