Albania

Albania Journal

Tirana International Airport

There was no direct flight from Taiwan to Albania so we had to make two stops in between. First, we had to transit in Bangkok than in Vienna in order to get to our destination. After 25 hours and 10 minutes, we finally landed in Tirana International Airport. It is the only internationals airport and it was built within two years from 1955 to 1957. It was hard to get around because the cities did not have any central bus stations. However, we got to see furgons, one of the main public transportation in Albania. These shuttle buses were hard to ride because they did not have fixed schedules, working air conditioning, or set prices. At the end, we had to ask around for over an hour until we found someone who could understand English and give us a ride. Trying to get around in Albania gave us the opportunity to see their highways. After some research, we learned that after the fall of Communism in 1991, Albania's transportation has gone through some major changes. In recent years, construction of main state roads have begun to take place and almost all highways have been completed and greatly improved. Another way of transport is the railway system, which was greatly promoted under the ruling of the communist government because use of private transportation was prohibited. However, since the fall of Communism, the usage of buses and ownership of cars have greatly increased.

Et'hem Bey Mosque

Albania has many different religions in their country including Islam, Catholic, Orthodox, and Bektashi. Around 56% of the people in Albania are Muslims and 10% are Roman Catholics. In 1967, all churches and mosques were forced into closing and religious observances were prohibited. Then in 1990, private religious practices were allowed once again. Walking on the streets of Albania, we saw many churches and mosques including the Et'hem Bey Mosque, which was built in the 18th century. The Et'hem Bey Mosque actually contains frescoes, which is very rare in Islamic Art. Today we learned that the renowned missionary Mother Teresa was actually an Albanian! We cannot wait to see what else we'll learn on our journey.

Albania transitioned from a totalitarian communist regime to democracy in the 1990's. It's government today is something we call Parliamentary Democracy, which sort of just means that the highest position of power in this democracy is the Prime Minister. The difference between a Parliamentary Democracy and a Presidential one is that while a presidential one is separated into ruler and legislature, the parliamentary is part of the legislature. According to the current prime minister, Edi Rama, his goal is to "to govern Albania like it deserves. To give Albanians a tangible picture of the European Albania they dream and deserve. To transform Albania into a model that inspires peace and development in the region." (prime minister's office)
Source #1: http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=983754
Source #2: https://www.inyourpocket.com/tirana/Ethem-Bey-Mosque_2514v

Albanian News

Human trafficking: Poor women and girls targeted in Albania

22 February 2017

Trafficking, the trading of humans, has been taking place recently in Albania after the collapse of communism in 1990. In the UK, the trafficking of people is rising, however, the largest number of 600 victims came from Albania. Victims of trafficking and violence are all schoolgirls in a women's refuge in southern Albania. One girl, Seya, was just 14 when she left her violent home and was sold into the trafficking ring by her "boyfriend". "I hate them, I want them to get the punishment that they deserve, [...] they steal your freedom - they use you, rule you - I don't know, it's very degrading," Seya said with great composure. One of the main problems is the attitude towards women in Albanian society. According to a UN report, victims are often manipulated through opportunities for employment and false marriages. Women in this male-dominated culture are often vulnerable to domestic violence and trying to escape, making them easy targets for traffickers. 

Albania Promotes Its Underwater Archaeology, for Tourism

13 February 2017

Recently, Albania has been promoting archaeological finds in their southwest coast waters. The purpose of their promotion is to attract attention from people who can help preserve their findings and to raise the public's interest. The National coastline agency head Auron Tare says 38 shipwrecks have been found in the Ionian sea. Within these findings, the ship wreckages are believed to date back to the 6th and 5th centuries B.C., the Austrian-Hungarian Empire during the first World War, and the Italian or British navy vessels from the second World War. However, people believe that many items have been stolen from the ship wreckages during the communist regime that ruled Albania. Nervation Ceka, a veteran archaeologist who is involved in maritime discoveries, said, "That great archaeological wealth should be shown to the local population to preserve it and worldwide due to its research importance."  

Europe's outdoor cannabis capital

1 December 2016

A kilo of cannabis that sells from 100 to 200 euros in Albania, could sell for around 1,500 euros in Italy. Resultantly, most of the country's cannabis crops are sold out north through Montenegro, south to Greece, or west to Italy. This illegal industry is estimated to be worth about five billion euros per year - around half of Albania's GDP. A man in this business says, "This year almost every single house in the village grew cannabis - tons and tons have been produced in this community alone." When asked about police raids, he answers, "I pay the police 20%, [...]if you don't pay they will take you to jail." After the fall of communism, the unemployment rate has still been high, enabling the trade of cannabis to flourish. Home Minister, Saimir Tahiri says, "From 2013 to 2016, the figures show more than a 30% decrease in the area of Albania cultivated with cannabis." In 2016, more than two million cannabis plants have been destroyed and the police are currently focusing on confiscating the drug while it is prepared to be sent out of Albania. 
Source #1: http://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-38111945
Source #2: https://phys.org/news/2017-02-albania-underwater-archaeology-tourism.html

Albania Postcard

Dear Ruth,

Greetings from Albania! Today we visited the Kruja Castle which is located in Kruja, near the capital Tirana. This castle has great historical value because it withstood three attacks in 1450, 1466, and 1467 from the Turks. Even Mehmed II “The Conquer,” an Ottoman sultan, was unsuccessful in taking this castle down. Inside the castle is the monument Teqe of Dollme, Ethnographic Skanderbeg Museum, and the remains of the Fethiye Mosque. The Skanderbeg Museum honors George Castriot Skanderbeg, a national hero of Albania. It contains artifacts, statues, engravings that all date back to Skanderbeg's time and are exhibited in chronological order of events in his life. Just looking at the exhibits took us three hours. This is definitely a must-see. Hope you join us next time!

From halfway across the globe,
Evelyn and Cassie
Source: http://www.zenithtravelalbania.com/castleofokruja