Day 8

Yesterday we did some more walking around Tirane and hung out in this little cafe to watch the game and chat with people. I realized as we were driving to the center of the city that I never really took the time to illustrate how insane the drivers here are. Not only do Albanians drive fast, but they completely disregard any sort of law or guideline. For starters the stop signs, which are posted everywhere, and clearly say "stop," are actually just "yield" signs. At least that's what Eljon says. The lane dividers are usually followed, but overlooked when they become inconvenient. For example, it's not uncommon to find six cars driving side by side on a three lane road. And I'm pretty sure there are no laws for people on mopeds or motorcycles. It looks like they can just do whatever they want. And the horns. You cannot drive in Tirane without a horn. You use it for everything, when you're driving down a street and it looks like someone might cross the road, when you want someone to move over and let you in on the roundabout, when traffic slows, as soon as a light changes green and their happen to be people in front of you who didn't jet off, etc.. And finally pedestrians do not have the right of way. If a car is coming and you're crossing the street, you'd better run to get out of the way because chances are, that car will not be slowing down for you.

This morning we picked up trash. A lot of trash, in front of the apartment we're staying in. I'm talking 2 full black trash bags for each of us (which is 5, excluding everyone under the age of 15). It's odd the way Albanians will keep their houses and apartments impeccable but will just throw whatever garbage they accumulate while they're out onto the ground without a second thought. Lets just say I found some really disgusting things out there today. And, no joke, I had two flies swarming around me by the end of it. But it was totally worth it. The outside area which has a small playground and benches looks way better. We'll see how long it stays clean for :)

Friday we're going to speak at a women's service at the prison and then we're off to the south for the weekend!