Every time I am with American friends and the conversation revolves around food, they invariably ask me to mention what dishes or specialties may be considered Albanian. Frankly, I am no expert, but I can describe some unusual treats that I have experienced over the years, as a guest or visitor of Albanian families, where hospitality is tops!
Today, however, I came across an interesting article from the lovely area of Winston-Salem in North Carolina, where, apparently, an Albanian family is becoming known for its preparation of good Albanian food. I thought of sharing it with you since it does provide more insight into what is Albanian cuisine.
Friday, March 19, 2010
Business expansion in Albania
Notwithstanding the still unsettled political situation that dates back to the last elections of June 25th, 2009 being contested by the opposition party, foreign business is booming in the capital, Tirana. Two examples are making news in the press this week.
One has to do with the introduction of a 4th phone operator into Albania, which is going to compete with the other 3 already providing services in the heavily used mobile field in Albania, as indicated in this article.
The other is just one of the many, many businesses that Italians are establishing and are very successful in these days in Albania. It's another giant shopping center that was just inaugurated in the outskirts of the city, and I look forward to visiting it very soon.
Other similar establishments that I have already used in the past, are easily reachable by the public via a free bus service that shuttles continuously from Tirana's main center square. The malls themselves are also equipped with huge garages. Some are spanning several floors on top of the mall that can be accessed by elevators, and, believe or not, they are quite busy at all hours. Albanians, just like Americans, are now in the habit of doing large shopping with and for the family, and in these malls they can find anything and everything, including all sorts of foreign goods or delicacies.
One has to do with the introduction of a 4th phone operator into Albania, which is going to compete with the other 3 already providing services in the heavily used mobile field in Albania, as indicated in this article.
The other is just one of the many, many businesses that Italians are establishing and are very successful in these days in Albania. It's another giant shopping center that was just inaugurated in the outskirts of the city, and I look forward to visiting it very soon.
Other similar establishments that I have already used in the past, are easily reachable by the public via a free bus service that shuttles continuously from Tirana's main center square. The malls themselves are also equipped with huge garages. Some are spanning several floors on top of the mall that can be accessed by elevators, and, believe or not, they are quite busy at all hours. Albanians, just like Americans, are now in the habit of doing large shopping with and for the family, and in these malls they can find anything and everything, including all sorts of foreign goods or delicacies.
Thursday, March 18, 2010
Travel Preparations
Finally completed a lot of tasks on my to do list before my next trip to Albania.
Today the planned pickup of a huge load of donated goods that includes many collections of futuristic publications, training materials, books of all kinds (fiction, non-fiction, historical, etc.), encyclopedias, business journals, and musical collections are on the way to be incorporated into skids for shipment to Tirana soon. They are destined to be used by young Albanian students and, hopefully, they will be of some help to them.
some of the cartons.....
and there are another 50 pieces like these......
All tax returns for myself and the non profit organization I work for have been filed for the past year, and now it's a question of getting together what I need for my trip and the work to be accomplished while in Tirana, where I'll be staying for the next couple of months.
I am really excited about what's coming down the pike over there, and I know that I will also have a change of residence, which will be much more comfortable than the one I have used during the past 9 years. Am literally moving up in the world....to more luxurious quarters with balconies, located on the 12th floor of a new building with city views!
So, dear friends, keep tuned in here, and I shall share with you more of my travel and Albanian experiences and add a few pictures as I go along. I've just purchased a brand new digital camera, which, of course, I've to get acquainted with.
Having lost already one hour of sleep this past Sunday in NY, it's not going to be easy to change again to Daylight Saving Time in Europe a week later, on top of the jet-lag from the trip, but.....Albania here I come!
Au revoir, arrivederci, and......mirë se vini!
Today the planned pickup of a huge load of donated goods that includes many collections of futuristic publications, training materials, books of all kinds (fiction, non-fiction, historical, etc.), encyclopedias, business journals, and musical collections are on the way to be incorporated into skids for shipment to Tirana soon. They are destined to be used by young Albanian students and, hopefully, they will be of some help to them.
All tax returns for myself and the non profit organization I work for have been filed for the past year, and now it's a question of getting together what I need for my trip and the work to be accomplished while in Tirana, where I'll be staying for the next couple of months.
I am really excited about what's coming down the pike over there, and I know that I will also have a change of residence, which will be much more comfortable than the one I have used during the past 9 years. Am literally moving up in the world....to more luxurious quarters with balconies, located on the 12th floor of a new building with city views!
So, dear friends, keep tuned in here, and I shall share with you more of my travel and Albanian experiences and add a few pictures as I go along. I've just purchased a brand new digital camera, which, of course, I've to get acquainted with.
Having lost already one hour of sleep this past Sunday in NY, it's not going to be easy to change again to Daylight Saving Time in Europe a week later, on top of the jet-lag from the trip, but.....Albania here I come!
Au revoir, arrivederci, and......mirë se vini!
Saturday, March 06, 2010
Albanian holidays
Sunday, March 7th, is Teacher's Day in Albania, followed by Mother's Day on Monday, March 8th.
BEST WISHES to all Albanian Mothers and in particular to my Albanian friends, who also happen to be Teachers.
See some of you soon in Tirana! CHEERS!
BEST WISHES to all Albanian Mothers and in particular to my Albanian friends, who also happen to be Teachers.
See some of you soon in Tirana! CHEERS!
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