Other touring (1 of 2)

While entertaining my friend, I squeezed in a few meetings that I couldn’t postpone, but managed to give her a feeling of daily life in Tirana, which includes shopping for the fresh veggies and fruits at some local markets, in addition to the usual weekly supplies at the larger supermarkets.


One new supermarket “Conad” belongs to the Italian chain by the same name, and it imports fresh goods from Italy on the daily basis. It made its appearance in Tirana last year and, apparently very successful, now plans to expand to 3 other locations, as advertised in newspapers, with lots of openings for needed personnel.

One afternoon we visited the National Historic Museum, which occupies one complete side of the large Skanderbeg square.





Its content changed a great deal since I saw it last about 4 years ago. Its collections have largely expanded and now cover not only what was available during the dictatorship that created it, but also more recent historical periods, with well documented photography and explanations also in English. The Albanian and Arberesh (from Albanian colonies in southern Italy) costume exhibits are particularly beautiful. The 2 hours allotted for the visit are not enough to take in all there is to see in this museum, and I vowed to return to it soon.

silver engraved arms