The day of my trip to Albania dawned.
And I was excited, and also woke up feeling very, very weird
I immediately went to wondering whether it was the “right” time to travel…………………..or if I was aware of something crazy about to occur……………….which given my history of my travel crazy recently was a good question to ask (I had spent a few weeks in Mexico, and then Turkey, and had had some “interesting” times, shall we say.)
When I asked more questions, I realised a few things.
Firstly, that that I was aware of all other people judging me for my choice to go to Albania at this point. Yesterday, I posted in a Montenegrin Facebook group and an Albanian one, gaining information about lockdown, COVID tests, possibilities of moving around — all the usual information you need in this new time of corona!
The corona situation has recently been declared “worse” in Montenegro, and there were several people (strangers of course) urging me to stay put, stay safe, and someone else asking me why I would spend EURO 100 on a taxi (the only way to get here in corona times), when I could live for a whole month in Montenegro on EURO 100,……………….
So, yes I was aware of their judgements of me and my lifestyle!
But there was something beyond that.
Yesterday, I had spoken to a taxi driver. He scarcely spoke English, stood a bit actually way to close when I was typing in google translate, and looked well a bit of a thug.
I realised I didn’t want to go with him, and that was partly what was going on, partly what was causing the “weirdness” in my world.
I also realised I was super excited to be going to Tirana, the big city that probably has more inhabitants than the whole of Montenegro!!!
So, I found another taxi driver, who, funnily enough, was a bit like the first one — didn’t speak English, and looked a bit of a thug, less so than the other guy.
Well, it didn’t bode well, when we got lost going the 4 kms from the centre of Bar (the town I was living in in Montenegro), to where I live to pick up my suitcase.
The taxi driver got really angry. Actually I think he was angry with himself, for not being able to communicate with me, and get us where we should be going with EASE — not very manly of him.
I did wonder whether he would be able to get us to Tirana. Fortunately, I had looked at the map — like Montenegro, Albania has very few roads really, and I thought that even I could get us on the road to Tirana!!!
However, I really could NOT imagine him finding my hotel in the centre of Tirana — that would really be expecting way too much.
He obviously realised this too. No worries. He would take me to Tirana, find an Albanian taxi driver who would obviously be able to take me to the hotel in Tirana very easily.
We cross the border with EASE. As usual, during these times of corona, nobody takes much notice of what I am doing…………………….
We motor along the one road that takes us all the way to Tirana.
So funny, one moment, we are in the middle of nowhere seemingly, just wide open countryside, the next we are in the thick of the city.
I suppose I had imagined he would take me to the centre of town where there would be a taxi rank. No, as soon as the outskirts of Tirana began, he pulled over, and started to organise me a taxi. Probably a bit like dropping someone off at Watford Gap for London!
An ancient beaten-up car, looking like it belonged in the Communist era screeches to a halt, and out steps a man who makes Thug 1 and Thug 2 look like English men discussing the weather!
My taxi driver looks worried. I can vaguely understand the discussion, and they show me on the phone that the new thug guy would like EURO 15 to take me to Tirana; they think it’s worth EURO 10
I agree to the 15, the new thug guy looks delighted an, and of course loves me, and the old thug guy looks really impressed that I am so relaxed with money. He gets I must be a rich bitch! Thank you very much!
So, we set off in the thick traffic of Tirana. Through the suburbs with their grey, communist looking apartment blocks, construction going on everywhere, and a liveliness and a business that I haven’t seen for ages.
Thug 3, my new companion, puts on some Albanian music, and we laugh about a couple of things. We really cannot understand each other at all. Not even the odd word — in Montenegro, I have a “way in” with my basic knowledge of Russian. I have also now learned at least a few words, and most people have a few words of English, There is nothing with this guy.
We get close to the hotel. And he starts shouting and getting anxious. Gets out of the car, trying to find passers-by who know the way. Nobody seems to. I look on my phone, We are really close. I hand him the phone, and it appears he can’t read the map — just hands it back to me, looking more angry.
I phone the hotel owner. We work out where we are — and he says “stay there. We will come and get you.”
The taxi driver carries on driving, really angry by now, I am shouting “STOPPPPPPPPPPP” and he doesn’t get it!!!
I don’t feel scared, and I do get that this guy is really, really angry.
Anyway, he finally stops, and by some miracle, the wife of the hotel guy is right there. I get out of the car, and the thug guy also gets out, smiles, laughs and gives me a big hug!!!
Welcome to Tirana!!!
I have 40 minutes before my facilitation call, a call about selling and marketing!
I step out onto the streets.
OMG!!! This city is ALIVE and totally buzzing.
I just love it.
The call is over, lockdown is on (the owners have already told me of their other hotel/bar / hangout place where I can go beyond the 8 pm curfew) and can’t wait to explore tomorrow!!!!
