Fine Dining in Tirana
Barry discovered a charming restaurant down a side street that is just a three-minute walk from our apartment. It’s called Restorant Berlin (I don’t know why) and has been in business since 1992. Check it out here: We were…
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Read MoreFine Dining in Tirana
Learning Albanian Phrases
I am progressing with the Albanian language from one-word statements like hello, good, thank you, etc. to phrases: mirë pafshim (goodbye) or just pafshim (bye) and kalofshi e mirë (have a nice day). I know “thank you” is technically two words…
The Man Bag — an Albanian Essential
Men’s bags are common in Albania. It seems like almost everybody carries one. As you’ll see, a bag is a necessary accessory. What about pockets in pants, you ask? Sweatpants are the national uniform for Albanian men, and there’s no…
Jennifer’s Health Care Odyssey
If you saw my previous post: Albanian Health Care System posted on August 9, 2025 you know I injured my neck by spending a lazy Sunday reading a book. I was stretched out on the couch with my neck resting…
Barry’s 77th Birthday in Pogradec
My 77th birthday was on August 12. So we spend the 11th, 12th, and 13th in Pogradec — a lakeside beach resort on the east side of Albania. THIS IS JUST THE SETUP, FOLKS. The full story comes soon. We…
Tons of Fun Food
In other posts, you’ll find me going on about the outstanding produce in Albania. And the dairy products are outrageous, with major quantities of white cheese. AND THE EGGS! You have never seen yellower yolks, thanks to the carotenes coming…
A Theft-free Town
Tirana seems to be a theft-free town. I sat down at a cafe and found a phone at the table. I ordered my coffee and drank it. The phone’s owner didn’t return. The café owner didn’t seem concerned. When I…
Albanian Health Care System
Living in Tirana, the capital, gives us access to top quality medical care at very affordable rates. Because medical care is so inexpensive, we chose the minimum health insurance coverage required to qualify for residency. It covers catastrophic events. BUT…
Sixth Wedding Anniversary, Part 2
The adventure continues… We came to a beach town to go to the beach We came to Durres to do nothing, and we did a lot of that. The hotel room rental included an umbrella rental and the right to…
Establishing Our Essential Basics
When Barry and I made the decision to leave the US and make a new home in Albania we agreed we’d be graceful when encountering bureaucracy. There’d be no grousing or grumbling. We were prepared to embody flexibility and adaptability.…
On the Road to Albania
Life is what happens to you when you’re busy making other plans. — Incorrectly attributed to John Lennon. It actually goes back to at least 1957. The road to Albania wasn’t straight. Far from it! I was doing something else…
Arriving in Albania
Late afternoon, Wednesday November 6th It took a bit of time to connect with our luggage once we landed in Tirana. We finally spotted our bags in a holding area staffed with three employees. Once they verified our nine suitcases…
Sixth Wedding Anniversary, Part 1
Time passes. One day you’re taking vows (July 10, 2019) and the next thing you know you’re taking bows (July 10, 2025). Yes, we have had six years of marital bliss. When we lived in Lodi, an anniversary was typical.…
Deciding to Retire in Albania
What Led Me to Retire Now I have been working since I was twelve years old. First as a babysitter and then at after-school jobs—first as an usherette in the local theatre followed by a stint as a dime store…