A new savor

A couple of days ago, during an afternoon outburst of heavy rain, I ran into a shop that, last year, was pointed out to me as ‘the’ place to find all sorts of coffee. 

It was a brand new type of store for Tirana, well furnished with a variety of goodies that in addition to an enormous variety of coffee beans, included a superb assortment of chocolates, but it was practically a whole in a wall. While being served one could enjoy an excellent espresso, by standing up (such as many Italians do at their bars) since it had room only for a couple of high round stands where to park the serving cup and saucer. I remember enjoying then the strong, wonderful aroma that hit me when I entered this place, and where the owner obliged me in offering me different samples of the grind I was looking for to brew an American type of coffee. 

This time I found the store a bit larger and redecorated, but with the same setup of small, high tables; thus I sipped an espresso standing up. When the friend I was supposed to meet in that part of town reached me, she and I went next door to another larger café where we could sit down, be served, and chat. Here she suggested a new drink that I had never heard of before, named ‘salep’.  This new potion whose ingredients she tried to describe, was a fabulous brew that it’s touted to have several health benefits.  The basic product is extracted from some type of orchids’ bulbs, and the best ones come from Turkey (that my friend wanted to be assured of, when she placed the order with our waiter).  The best description and recipe of this thick and creamy delight can, of course, be found online here also with related pictures.       

Flying travelers watch out!

This is for my friends that do not follow my postings on FB, but travel on their own. I want to share this article that really makes one think twice when boarding a plane. Some items are known, but others may not be so easily thought of when mind is on other matters. Be aware, take precautions, and have safe trips anytime, anywhere!

The view from my desk.....

 

Spring is sprouting out everywhere, here in Tirana. After a couple of weeks of gorgeous daily sunshine and moonlit quiet nights, intermittent rain is settling in for a few days and the trees are donning their first tiny green leaves.

The tip of the Dajti mountain chain gets spotted with some snow that melts quickly. The whole scenery seems to change by the hour.  The air gets cooler and crisp at night and the clouds appear and disappear in their unrelenting path toward the sea…..

This scenery is unthinkable when one lives in the cement canyons of New York City where strong winds persist almost constantly. Smaller Tirana that keeps expanding at a rapid rate all over the surrounding hills and mountains offers a different panorama and the wind here is almost non existent.  One things these cities have in common, however, is the incredible traffic jams when it rains!!

It's now late afternoon, and the scene is changing again.....bright yellow thanks to the sunsetting, while dark clouds are obscuring the Dajti mountain chain on the East......

 
 

Leisure (and yummy!) time

After recovering from jetlag and all the readjustments of daily living after my arrival in Tirana, as well as the resolutions of a few technical glitches and replacement of loads of batteries in my apartment after some months of idle use of its equipment, I really enjoyed leisure and relaxing time with some of my local friends this past weekend. 

Saturday lunch took place at an excellent restaurant renowned for the fresh fish it serves. The place can be reached after about 40 minutes drive from the capital. It’s located along the Adriatic seaside between the towns of Durres and Kavaja and I have been there a few times before.  Clams and a hot vegetable antipasto was followed by local handmade pasta (taccheri) “ai frutti di mare” (variety of small fish), while the main course was a huge ‘branzino’ baked with potatoes, cherry tomatoes and olives.   

It generously served all five of us, and, as usual in most restaurants in Albania, even if one may order a dessert, they automatically bring to the table (free of charge) a large platter of fresh, thinly cut, and beautifully arranged seasonal fruits.  Time goes by quickly when you are in good and relaxing company and I was redelivered home around 5:30pm, a rest time for everyone. This is when Albanians, even throughout the week, consume their main daily meal, and then take a break before the evening activities, which, for some, consist of a nice walk around town and meeting friends or relatives.

On Sunday, other friends of mine picked me up for another out of town ride. Tirana during the weekend empties out; its citizens escape to the country or the seashore that are easy to reach and are so close by. 

This time we went to the village of Pezë , in the outskirts of the capital, which played quite an historic role during during WWII and afterwards and was also the site of a conference.  My hosts remember the times of their youth when they were obliged, as school children, to attend an annual event here.  

Now the place has been restored by the heirs of the original, local owner into a splendid restaurant which is known for excellent meats.  When we arrived the large grounds were totally occupied by lots of families busily cooking and enjoying their own picnic.  It was difficult to find a parking space! 

We lunched indoors where the setting is very classy with big and elegantly furnished rooms and displays of mementos. This is a massive old residence with large fireplaces, where the fire was roaring!  

  

 

The owner greeted us at the door and escorted us to the reserved table. Here we had a variety of dishes, since my friends always want to introduce me to the places’ specialties. We started with ‘bruschetta’,  a deliciously fresh mixed salad, local type of soft cheese, with some antipasto, followed by an excellent ‘risotto’, and two courses of meat. 

The above special dish with an unappealing look, was absolutely a revelation of exceptional good taste (chunks of soft veal, in a particular blend sauce of tomatoes, yogurt and spices) that just melted in the mouth.  The main course was a filet mignon cooked to perfection (that needed no chewing and could be cut with a fork!), surrounded by excellent baked potatoes.  At the end the waiter offered a tray of available desserts and I pleaded for just a share of one!!  Everyone enjoyed the whole meal doused by a bottle of “Montepulciano d’Abbruzzo” Italian wine.  After an wonderful expresso we leisurely headed home…..!