In less than a week, here I am in another European country: tiny Albania with its rugged mountains and extremely sunny weather. Left cold and foggy Milan and was greeted in Tirana by a perfectly blue sky, hot sun, and 80F temperature. The flight was full, as usual, but no more lunch served on board!
The old Rinas airport, now also named “Mother Theresa”, continues to be renovated and presents itself like a peaceful oasis with its small tower, its manicured lawns, a variety of flowers and palm trees. Its project of modernization, recently won by Lockheed through a bid system, will continue for a few more years.
Currently, notwithstanding the traffic of a dozen foreign airlines that service Tirana daily, the place is calm, and the service personnel unhurried, including the passport agents. They are mostly young women in uniform, who carefully check the incoming passengers, enter their data into personal computer at each booth, and offer you a smile.
The feeling I get every time I am about to land in the country of my origin never fails to be one of “getting home” somehow. This tiny country, known for its hospitality, offers an additional surprise upon arrival. Foreign citizen of Albanian origin are exempt from paying the entry fee, and are whisked through. Most of them, coming back to visit their families, are happy to pick up their loads and meet their dear ones that outside are anxiously waiting for them behind a barricade. Welcome (mire se vini) home!
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