Category Archives: Albania
I am not a spy, I am just curious
Zur deutschen Fassung. Recently in Albania, three people were arrested as they tried to enter a former arms factory. The intruders from Russia and Ukraine said that they were bloggers and liked to photograph old buildings. People who have seen … Continue reading
Random Thoughts (12)
If you have doubts about humanity, listen to this podcast about a hospital in Israel treating wounded and sick Syrians. I wouldn’t have thought that many people read articles as long as the one about my decision to return to … Continue reading
“The File on H” by Ismail Kadare
When you visit Albania – which I highly recommend – you should not only get a guidebook, but read a few books by Ismail Kadare during your trip. Of the ones I have read so far, I enjoyed The File on H the … Continue reading
Where George W. Bush is still popular
I have never seen a “George W. Bush Boulevard” or “George W. Bush Square” anywhere in the world. For some reason, he is not very popular anymore. I am not even sure if there is any “George W. Bush Street” in … Continue reading
Video Blog: Final of Football World Cup 2014
Some people use their annual holiday for the Football World Cup. I only noticed that there even is a World Cup after planning my trip to Greece, Macedonia and Albania. I didn’t care, as long as it wouldn’t lead to … Continue reading
Lessons from my last Trip
After my Balkan trip last October, I wrote down the following lessons that I had learnt during those two weeks. Here you can read my original plan for Romania, Serbia, Montenegro and Albania. Unfortunately, in the end I didn’t have time … Continue reading
Video Blog: Quiet Forest
You city folk, office workers, commuters, parents of noisy children and fighters in the Syrian civil war must be longing for a peaceful, quiet forest like this. Specifically for you, I recorded this quiet forest video: But what was that? … Continue reading
Sports Day
Today, I shall attempt to run the half marathon from Danilovgrad to Podgorica. That is in Montenegro. Yes, both of these cities are (a half marathon is not that long). I am reminded of a passage in Ismail Kadare‘s book The Fall of … Continue reading
Next trip: Romania, Serbia, Montenegro, Albania
It’s time for another Balkan trip. This is the first time that I am posting my tentative itinerary before I travel, in the hope to solicit advice from locals or fellow travelers, learn about interesting stories/places/people to write about, find somebody for … Continue reading
The Happy Hermit 