Busy Times

Another busy and fruitful week in Tirana, but dotted with pleasant moments with interesting and valued people. Conducted intense negotiations and made a couple of good business contracts, while meeting also a couple of new, bright and eager to work, young ladies, fluent in at least 3 languages. Had the opportunity to have leisure lunches and dinners with old acquaintances, who were also keen in helping out in whatever they can.

It’s a pleasure to see some of the young people I have been dealing with in the past few years gaining business experience, growing in knowledge and taking successful steps into, and control of, their future! These are the people that are bringing the country forward into the modern world of nations.

One interesting personality I have known for a while is an esteemed historian and a successful writer, who spends most of his time in old state archives and the public library. He painstakingly researches even ancient documents, in more than one language, which no one else would even think of dealing with, and he is a bottomless well of knowledge.

He has undertaken on his own to do research also about one of my family members: my father, ex Chief Justice of the Supreme Court and Member of the Council of State, in his time. He has uncovered historically valuable documents about him and his judgments, which, once published - he believes - could positively inspire and influence the younger generations of today and tomorrow. Albanians are very proud of, and greatly value their history; now that they are free to do so, they are eagerly trying to document publicly this valued past.

Our lunch together one day was also a pleasant experience. While discussing some of his research and findings he wanted me to taste some of the real Albanian dishes at a small, and unpretentious, restaurant, run by an old family of local restaurateurs. For the ‘big’ amount of about $10.00, including wine, everything was fresh, prepared in no time, and delicious! There is no substitute in enjoying the country, except with a real and erudite native!