Tirana Sore

Last week I was in Tirana, Albania

I didn't actually do all that much, since I got a metatarsal stress fracture on the first day, and basically couldn't walk the whole time.

I could, however, bike, so I mostly just cruised around looking at stuff.

Like these dudes, who look vaguely like they're selling drugs. It's actually just baguettes and vegetables

This is a poster for the Albanian translation of Shrek

Having limited mobility sort of restricts your options. Bike, read, espresso, bike, read.

I hobbled around a museum at one point, but it didn't last long.

My hotel was next to this building.

This was made of Post-Its! I'm totally stealing this idea.

I'm used to seeing stray dogs in this part of the world, but stray puppies?! That shit just makes me want to immigrate.

I biked to a city on the coast, then took the train back.

You thought the US train system was underfunded? Sheeeit.

The 'Albanian Riviera' is totally lovely, and completely deserted at 10am on Tuesday mornings.

For most of the trip I felt like the only tourist.

There's hella of these in the countryside between Tirana and the coastline.

There's an artificial lake just outside of Tirana that's called Artificial Lake.

The amusement park was clearly installed just to enhance the feeling that the country is haunted.

My bike only had one gear and brakes that screamed every time I used them, so I got a lot of looks.

A bench with no seat. They physical embodiment of a metaphor from a high school writing competition.

There were lots of fishermen there, surprisingly enough. I wanted to ask them if they're catching Artifish.

I have no idea what this is supposed to symbolize, but it would be totally illegal in Republican states.

At the time it was built, this was the third-biggest building in Europe.

Now it's just a playground for clambering youth and inexplicably awesome graffiti

I know you've never heard of it and everything, but Albania's a really great place to visit.

Though it's probably more fun when you can walk.