Steamy heat, elegantly distressed buildings, donkeys, veteran tractors, Mercedes cars in various states of disrepair, ethnic music pumping out, 1960's buses, palm trees, so much about this country reminds me of Havana. Not that I have been to Cuba, but I did once watch Buena Vista Social Club.
Crossed the border still with a bundle of Macedonian Dinari which the bank could not change. However a bank official took me outside and made a call on his mobile. Moments later a guy arrived in classic overcoat with huge wads of notes in his pocket. Out with the calculator and the deal was done in moments giving us over 10,000 Albanian Lek to spend.
Traveling towards Tirana brought back memories of another place - Uganda. Verdant green mountains, smoky minibuses, precarious roads winding up high passes, torrential showers and great enthusiasm about our presence here is so reminiscent of The Last King of Scotland.
Crossed the border still with a bundle of Macedonian Dinari which the bank could not change. However a bank official took me outside and made a call on his mobile. Moments later a guy arrived in classic overcoat with huge wads of notes in his pocket. Out with the calculator and the deal was done in moments giving us over 10,000 Albanian Lek to spend.
Traveling towards Tirana brought back memories of another place - Uganda. Verdant green mountains, smoky minibuses, precarious roads winding up high passes, torrential showers and great enthusiasm about our presence here is so reminiscent of The Last King of Scotland.
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