ALBANIA
Country Overview:
"Tirana may not be a top 10 travel destination, but it's a vibrant and intriguing European capital with a unique character."
I had a wonderful time in Tirana. It's a funky little city with colorful buildings, striking murals, and a palpable desire to progress while grappling with its complex history. While traditional Albanian cuisine might be a bit elusive, the abundance of gyros and sweets kept me satisfied. The prevalence of Italian speakers and bilingual menus was a pleasant surprise, reflecting Albania's cultural connections. While I might not rush back to Tirana, I'm genuinely glad I experienced its charm. Celebrating my 31st birthday here made it an unforgettable trip.
31st Birthday
I recently celebrated my 31st birthday in Tirana, Albania and though I wouldn’t necessarily have planned to celebrate it here, I had a great time. The pictures with the cake were actually taken a month ago in Istanbul, where I celebrated before leaving to Serbia - and sorry for the graininess. As Trump would say: “It is what it is.”
I don’t have any pictures from my actual birthday on the 7th as, despite running a blog, I didn’t feel that everything needs to constantly be documented. I did a pub trivia and had some drinks and fun conversations with people I met while here. I also got the news that Biden had won the elections (after several grueling days watching CNN with no results) as soon as I got to the bar, so there was a lot to celebrate on Saturday. Tomorrow I’ll take a bus to Kosovo and repeat the process of getting a new SIM card, finding a gym, and exploring a new city.