Tiranë is shiny on the surface

Albania is a country in transition. Thirty years ago, after the Albanian communist dictator Enver Hoxha died, the new leader gradually introduced economic reforms and opened diplomatic ties with Western countries. We heard that today's economy is driven by illegal activities, deepening the divide between that haves and have-nots. This is very apparent in Tirana. So many beautiful new buildings! And, in the country side, many people have subsistence livings.

Like many communist countries, fear was a key tool for keeping the population under control. We visited a museum about the population surveillance during Hoxha's regime. Terrifying and supremely sad.

Tirana was partially on our itinerary because there was a football match! Two local teams played against each other, and there was SO much pride in from the two fan areas.Read more