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And Albania is - an unbiased view from an unbiased person- (September 8th, 2006 By Daniel Scrivner
http://www.myeuropeanadventure.com/travel_journal/index.php?action=view&id=5
Albania has been one of the best experiences of the trip. But it's definitely been a different type of experience - good in a different sense. It's by far the dirtiest, run down, and poverty ridden country I've ever been to. It's pretty much a third-world country. (And it's actually the poorest country in all of Europe.)
There's trash all over the streets. And over much of the country there's no real roads - in the sense that they are in any way maintained. And people all over the country are living in what are basically cement house frames. These "houses" have levels, staircases, and pillars. But they don't have walls, windows, or doors. No privacy, no protection from the elements, and the worst standard of living I've ever witnessed.
The water in Albania is not safe to drink. And when I got a glass from the tap it was tinted brown, and appeared to bubble. Both not good signs in my opinon.
Reflecting On My Own Standard Of Living
The reason Albania has been such a good experience is because it really makes you reflect on your own standard of living. In the U.S., I have a great standard of living.
It's a relatively safe, clean, well maintained and economically friendly place to live. I have water I can drink. I live in a great house that keeps me warm in the winter and cold in the summer. I have access to fresh, clean and sanitary food. And work is really very easy to come by as long as you possess some basic skills and know how to present yourself.
Traveling and staying one night in Albania (although in reality that's not long enough to really be able to accurately characterize a place) also really made me think about how many systems, committees, checks and balances, and rules and guidelines have to be in place to have a well run country. The type of country that is clean, well maintained, livable and economically friendly to its citizens. It takes a huge amount of work and time to create a world-class country.
As we drove through Albania I saw people using donkeys to haul stuff around and get from place to place. And most of the donkeys did not look well fed or taken care of. I saw meat being sold out of what really was a bloody, unclean, hole in the wall along a shopping street in one of the towns we passed through. I saw so many dilapidated and run down buildings, and was shocked that many were still in use by businesses and residents in their current state. And I saw a country full of shattered windows, torn down fences, stripped cars, and burning piles of trash and junk.
And despite all that I saw, I am very thankful to have been able to travel through Albania. And although one day and night wasn't much, it was enough for me to get a feel for the country and be very thankful that I was lucky enough to have been born in a clean, modern country. I'm thankful to have gone through Albania with a tour group - driving through on a coach. Because you really couldn't ever manage to pass through or stay in Albania on your own.
Albania was a very special place to see. And it was a real eye opener on this thirty-six day adventure.
:banana: