miscellaneous pictures

The Sports Unviersity in Tirana hosted the 2012 Paraolympic games in Albania.

Peace Corps supported the games by volunteering at the events and cheering for the competitors.  It was a blast.  

Copyright laws are not effectively enforced in Albania, so entrepreneurs frequently capitalize on name brands, often adding an Albanian twist.  This is Albanian Fried Chicken and it is delicious.

Kolonat is a "reinterpretation" of guess what franchise.

Soviet-era statue in Pogradec

Pogradec is a beautiful small city on Lake Ohrid.  It sits on the lake and is surrounded by mountains.  Just across the water is Macedonia.

We like to walk to a less crowded part of the beach in Pogradec.

The water in the lake is cyrstal clear. 

Alex taking a swim

We met some friends for a drink one afternoon at this breezy bar in Durrës.

Skanderbeg Square in Tirana

more of Skanderbeg Square

Albania is a big fan of ole George.  I think he was the first US President ever to visit the country.

This is the location where we usually rent a paddle boat in Durrës.  The sign means for sale/rent in Albanian.

I saw this on my way to work.  This sheep was tied up outside the butcher shop waiting to be dispatched.  When I returned in the afternoon, there was only one leg left hanging from a hook inside.

Durrës has hosted an international film festival for the past few years.  The festival is free and open to the public and many people were in attendance.  Kim and I saw a well-made but odd Romanian film. 

construction near my house

There were six live chickens tied to this motorbike.  The owner was having a coffee at a nearby cafe.  Today I saw a man walk by carrying a young goat tied at the feet.  Both were on main streets in Durrës.

Albania goes 5D!

lambs!

Durrës is home to some of the oldest Roman ruins in Albania.  Unfortunately some are not very well preserved, like these columns that serve as goal posts for young boys playing football.

a few video clips from around Albania

first video:  A famous Albanian singer preformed a unique half English - half Shqip rendition of New York New York at our swearing in ceremony in Elbasan.  It was entertaining.

second video: part of the Koman ferry trip

the rest: Last spring, I attended a wedding in the village of Thanë.  The first wedding video is of my host family and the rest are of circle dancing, an Albanian tradition that is alive and well.  The last video is of the last song of the party.