They are almost anywhere cars go. Their number is equal or greater than that of gas stations. You can almost see them from space (joke). Many of them are illegal. They waste our drinkable water. And yet you can almost not do without them because you car gets very dirty even when you do not use it much.
I’ve spoken and heard the comments of many a foreigner visiting Tirana or traveling on the roads of Albania about the almost pervasive presence of car wash places, or “Lavazh” as they are called here. Meanwhile, Albanians are certainly used to them, we often do not think of the fact that their presence is an indicator of the level of dust and dirt in our streets and eventually in our homes and lives. Continue reading →
On May 29, I got married to the love of my life. Thankfully, the whole ceremony went just wonderfully and we were so glad to see so many friends and guests join us on this unique occasion. Before that day, the entire month was rather stressful with lots of different preparations to get everything ready for the big day. And now that it is over, I can say that it was all worth it.
Even before we started working on the details, my wife and I wanted to go for a modern (church) wedding ceremony rather than the traditional Albanian version. That meant that we would change the format and focus of our wedding from the main traditional dinner where everyone gathers to gourge themselves on food and drinks till the early hours of the day, to a well organized church ceremony followed by a cocktail at the end. The result was ideal. At least that is what all the comments that we’ve gotten said. Continue reading →
If you’ve read my last post, or been following this blog for some time, then you should be aware that I run a personal business selling Albanian books online called ShtepiaeLibrit.com.
For a long time, I and my business partner have been desiring to have a place of our own (a physical bookstore, besides the online store) where we could serve our customers and continue to offer a variety of services which are not possible through the online bookstore. The good news is that since the start of the month of April that dream is becoming a reality. We’ve already signed the lease for a store where our new bookstore will be located.
Despite the fact that we’ve been selling Albanian books online for over two years now, the opening of a physical bookstore is in many ways a new and exciting experience altogether. There are so many different things to think about that it does take time to prepare for all of them.
In the next few days we should be getting the bookshelves started and when they are ready, we’ll be getting the books and other things in. I’ll post some more information and pictures at a later stage, since I want to wait till most everything is ready.
I would love to hear your opinions, questions and comments if this is of interest to you as well.
About a month ago I left my job of almost five years as a Communications Officer for a major institution to start a new path for myself. The decision had been hanging in my mind for a long time. Almost since I finished school and returned to my home country I had been waiting to start something for myself. But obviously the hopes and plans of a fresh out of school kid were just dreams at that stage.
However, as I have gladly discovered in these past two years that I’ve been working on ShtepiaeLibrit.com dreams can become a reality. Well, I still cannot say to have achieved all I intend to do for the future, it nevertheless gives me a sense of fulfillment to know that much has been achieved and the feeling is real.
This is not the end of challenges, nor is it going to become easier, I think I’m sufficiently aware of that fact. But the reality of working for something that you can call your own is obviously something that I am finding to be “my cup of tea”. I know that I will not limit myself to just this experience, but this will definitively serve as a strong foundation for other things to come!
Today, when I learned about the possible return on Mr. Ylli Pango to the political and academic life my first reaction was: “what the ….” !
I feel sick and I stand on my opinion that he should not be allowed to reenter the political and much less the academic life of this country. I’ve heard plenty of sad stories where this person has abused his position and authority and am truly disappointed by the court’s decision to acquit him of any wrong doing with regard to the scandal that was widely reported in the media about one year ago. Well, one thing is for sure, the court’s decision is obviously subjective and does not clear the dirt-level moral standing that this person represents.
My hope is that if the decision is made for him to return to the academic life, that students would rise to oppose this decision by boycotting classes and other types of peaceful and democratic forms of protest.
We just have to start saying “no” to immoral behavior and abusive conduct of such people. This is my stand on the issue.
Today was probably the only day that it will ever snow in Tirana for the whole winter. I took some pictures just to document it for my self. Hope you enjoy it as well.
Today I got a SMS on my cell saying:
Congratulations, your cell phone has won 500,000 paunds in the onging Nokia UK prom. For claims Email: coordinatior.nokiaprom@live.com or call +447024038551
Well, being acquainted with different scam schemes I went directly online and searched for “Nokia UK Promotion Scam” to immediately find out that this was another old trick which is now expanding in Albania as well. Continue reading →
