Lost in Tirana, surrounded by mountains

Last Saturday I spent most of my day in Tirana, mostly walking around taking in the daily routine and views.  I took a cab to Myslym Shyri and crossed the Vasil Shanto bridge over the Lana river.

While crossing the bridge, a sidewalk peddler offered his opinion of my long skirt: your skirt is too long, you’re sweeping the ground!   “I like it long, it’s the fashion in some places that way, ” I responded and kept walking.

Once I crossed the bridge I was desperately trying to find a coffee shop.  Everyone who knows me knows that I am a coffee addict and can’t fully function without at least one cup.  I had not yet had that first cup.   Turned out I was in the wrong place for a coffee as that was not the hip trendy cafe-laden neighborhood of every variety of cafe you could think of.  So I asked: Where’s Blloku (the Block)?

“Take the “Tirana e Re” bus and it will take you there.”

“No, I’d rather walk.”

“Ok, then keep going straight around this curved street and it will lead you there.”

So I walked and walked and walked until I reached the center instead of the Block.  But I took in all the views.  Everywhere I went – clearly lost – ahead of me was a huge mountain backdrop.  I did a little swirl and yup,  I was surrounded by mountains.  Tirana is entirely surrounded by beautiful bluish-green mountains,  nestled inside much like a Swiss town, except more colorful…way more colorful, in architecture and in lifestyle.  And hot!

I must’ve looked very hip with my crossover satchel and hippy style for even the coolest chicks to turn their heads : )  And so I finally found where the coffee was and settled for an outdoorsy garden place called Temple.  With free Wifi and a nice breeze.

Temple bar & cafe: