At this point in my travels, the 8.5 hour flight from Newark to Vienna felt like nothing. Several crying babies, a couple movies, a standardly mediocre airplane meal, and a couple hours of sleep later, I arrived in Vienna. I felt delirious from the time jumps and sleep deprivation, but also a weirdly heightened euphoria out of excitement for being in a new continent and beginning the next chapter of my travels.
Following a two hour layover, it was a quick 1.5 hour flight from Vienna to Tirana. Immediately upon landing my eyes were pleased by the sights of beautiful green mountains to the East. Deplaning, immigration, and customs was all standard. Then came a 4 Euro and 45 minute bus ride from Tirana airport to the city. In a way that’s easy to imagine but difficult to describe, I could recognize that I was back in Europe. The city gave that feeling that’s similar yet different enough from America to know you’re in a different continent. I grabbed a quick bite of a club sandwich, fries, and salad at a nearby restaraunt before heading to the hostel.
After I checked in to the hostel to my private room, booked intentionally in preparation for much needed sleep catch up, I left my luggage behind and went to get a haircut. I found a barber close by with 5 star Google reviews, and walked in. It was clear the barber didn’t speak any English, but I showed him a picture of shorter hair, but not buzzed or faded on the sides and long enough on top to slick back still. He nodded, then proceeded to give me the standard issue European fade of very short buzzed sides and short on top. I can’t really complain, because I knew what risks I was taking by getting a haircut from a barber that doesn’t speak English. In a funny way, it’s the same exact haircut I was given in Croatia during my last Europe visit 6 years ago.
Afterwards, I grabbed a quick coffee to power through the exhaustion in attempts to adjust to the time zone, and went to see some of the main sights Tirana has to offer. First, I walked around Skanderbeg Square. Then, I went to Bunk’art 2, a literal bunker turned into history museum that discussed 20th century communism and police in Albania until the 1990’s. Then, I walked to see the Pyramid of Tirana, but sadly it was closed due to construction and had a large chainlink fence around in. Thankfully with my height I was able to catch a good glimpse over the fence. I then went to Taiwan Park for yet another cup of coffee to help power through the day, and enjoyed the park vibes.
Late afternoon, I headed back to the hostel to change clothes and head back into Tirana to Tirana Yoga, a studio I found with English speaking instructors. The class was called “Slow Flow” which sounded perfect given my state of exhaustion and jet lag, however this name turned out to be ironic. The class was very balanced focus and had us doing frequent poses on one leg. Still, it was a challenging and engaging class I really enjoyed.
After yoga class, I was in search of somewhere to satisfy my famish. I quickly learned there are 4 cafes in Tirana for every actual restaurant that serves food. Want a traditional Albanian meal? Have a coffee (espresso) and a cigarette as they do in Albania. Finally I found a falafel wrap place I was able to get a pita from, but then had to find a place to eat it as it had no seating. I returned to Taiwan Park, where I ate my meal while watching families enjoy their Friday nights in the park. Afterwards, I returned to the hostel to finally lay to rest.