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More Albania Pics On Wednesday May 19th I delivered a training in the capital, Tirana, to a group of Albanians from all over the country. Typical of Albanians, though, although the training was supposed to start at 9am, this is the scene (picture below) in the training room at 9:05am. Note that shortly after taking this picture I went out for coffee with the rest of my team, and we finally got started a little after 9:30am. On Friday May 22nd, we drove to Elbasan, about an hour and a half to the south and slightly east of Tirana. Elbasan is also the home of Engjell, famed by my first email journal. The drive to get there is almost exclusively through mountains. This first picture is looking down a mountain into a village outside of Elbasan. (picture below) This is on the road, between Elbasan and Tirana. (picture below) Also between Elbasan and Tirana. (picture below) This is an awesome cloud as scene in Elbasan. (picture below) Here is a nice concise blurb of Albanian History. (picture below) And here is the statue in the central square of the city to the man mentioned in the text above, Skanderberg. (picture below) Also in the main square, is this park with a ferris wheel and little buggies for children to play in. There are several of these around town, very cool. I saw a similar park in Shkoder and was told that these are things provided for the little children, since they might not get much toys and such at home. (picture below) Here's a zoomed in shot on the scene above. (picture below) I almost accidentally got this picture - I was standing near a stadium in the city, looking through the gates at a soccer game when I heard this boy on his cart coming. I had my camera out so I snapped on the off chance I would capture the scene. Horse drawn transport is common in Albania, more in rural areas, but clearly in Tirana as well as demonstrated here. (picture below) Not sure who this icon of Albanian culture this is, I could only guess a legendary bowler? (picture below) Here's a excellent, busy, bright fruit market. Much more colorful than any I have been to in America anyway. This scene, and the other below are only the tip of the iceberg. The market winds back a few blocks through tightly packed alleys. Among other sites you can see here, is a man purchasing a live chicken, binding its legs, hanging it from the handle bars on his bike and riding off. (picture below) Another scene from the market. (picture below) Here is the exterior of a Mosque, fronting the main city square. (picture below) Here is a picture from inside the prayer room where I sat for a while with an older man, and a teenage boy. The older man spoke broken English, the boy was quite fluent. They were incredibly welcoming and happy to show me around. Probably the highlight of this particular day in Tirana. (picture below) A special shot for the donut fans, especially my Providence peeps. (picture below)