Durres, Albania

I can only think of one tour worse than the one we took here.  That tour was in Nicaraugua and I said "They were not ready for us.". Even though Albania has been out of the control of the USSR since 1991 it has been a very difficult transition with poor leadership and continuing communist influence.  Many people wish for the return of communism so they don't have to work for their food.  They don't remember the limits on food and the long lines.

I didn't enjoy looking at the bleak gray buildings and frankly there was not much in Durres of interest.  Lots of walking on very bad sidewalks and roads.  We were also walked to a square where there was nothing  except one cafe.  No stores.  Plenty of gypsy kids with their hands out.  Just as we were leaving we did notice a bear on a leash but we had to get to the bus. 

Our next stop was a winery.  Probably 95% of us have been to wonderful wineries all over the world.  This winery was bleak and even the bottles looked Russian and if a bottle can be depressing these were depressing.  Antiquated methods but not liike some of the home wineries in Italy that have charm.

We did have one interesting happening.  When we were at the museum a beautiful golden retriever like dog decided he was going to stay with us.  If a car came too close he would bark at it viciously and protect us.  He did the same thing to pedestrians who he thought was a threat.  He walked with us for a long time and I think he wanted to escape Albania and I was about to put my sticker on him when he decided we were safe so he did leave us.

Our guide was fine and he did relate lots of anti communist feelings.  Too bad Bernie Sanders young supporters weren't around to hear about the fruits of communism.