Patrick you stick out so they will remember you. If you go to the same coffee even two or three times in a non-tourist area they will remember what you order. There are cafe's I just sit down and don't even order they just bring my coffee and water. I make sure to tip well. My wife gets mad that I tip too much but to me it means something they remember and provide great service. Exploring the city outside the normal spots is always fun. Keep it up.
There is no laws about building maintenance in Albania that is why the common areas and elements are not maintained well. The current mayor implemented a program, for the first time, appointing/voting administrators in each building but the organizing and managing they provide is very basic. He also set up a fund for the municipality to pay 50% of the cost if the residents come up with their own 50% to renovate the facades.
I think what I admire the most about this is that everything is walkable, in the States ( at least where I am) you can't walk anywhere without feeling like you have to constantly be on guard. When I was visiting Calabria I started off just to see where the road would lead me and before I knew it I had been walking 3 hours all through the old neighborhoods all the way to the historical center and then down along the beach boardwalk. Italy is the same way about smoking! everywhere you turned someone was smoking either an e-cigarette or the old-fashioned paper cig. I'm a hat guy also so I will definitely have to pick up one like yours
I have not watched all your vids yet...have you done a one month cost of living in Tirana? PS I am Monte, 53 yrs old. I appreciate all the great videos and info!
thank you sir...not yet. Ist month its hard because were buying things like pots and pans, extra towels, plates and such. But i was thinking of atleast rent, utilities, internet. coming soon...thank you for watching monte !
I love it here. Just want to show it all. But no matter where i am...i feel safe...many times when you enter a apartment its really nice and updated. not always, but you would be surprised.
As an Albanian living abroad I have to say that I miss walking this tiny narrow roads it gives a very special vibe to the city. I also hope they don’t destroy all the old brick buildings to replace them with new and modern , a good renovation with the brick style would be lit 🔥
Old Tirana will cease to exist by 2030! All Tirana old buildings of non historic value will be erased (per the Tirana 2030 master plan adapted in 2010) which is probably 70 or 80% of the buildings. That's why some of the old buildings you are filming are derelict looking and unfixed. Soon they will be gone. Maybe your footage of Tirana 2024 in 2080 will be priceless.
Im trying to show it all. Not just the bells and whistles. But no matter where i go, I feel safe. And see women walking alone. Where in many U.S. cities they cant
@@patrickoverseas Indeed, Tirana is very safe & almost always has been that way. During 1996-97, Albania was convulsed by the dramatic rise and collapse of several huge financial pyramid schemes. When the schemes collapsed, there was uncontained rioting, the government fell, and the country descended into anarchy and a near civil war in which some 2,000 people were killed. That was almost 30 years ago but the press (especially the western press) loved that chaos and kept repeating it over and over whenever they would write any article about Albania & labeling Albania as dangerous place to be or visit after that incident. You know, negative articles catch the attention of the readers & sell newspapers. Another thing I think is because of the Albania's communist past. You know "communism = danger" propaganda. LOL
