Thursday, JUNE 26

Thursday, June 26 = (Tirana City - Maps)

I know not how I had done so many kilometers in one day, on roads with holes and uneven traditrici, visit monuments and attend events like last night in fact, destroyed.
I remain in my room lying on the bed to enjoy the air moved by fans throughout the morning.
Knock at the door is the lady of the floor below, open and asks me if I'm going to lunch, I think the answer to find a restaurant, why?

"I ask why, if fà pleasure, I can prepare a good lunch and will be spending a few euro"

I accept willingly the sultriness outside is overwhelming, better than me is cool in the dim light of the room.
An hour after the woman has a tray with the center a roast chicken coated with potato fries, a bottle of wine SHIELDS for an envelope and seal frà bread fingers, aid promptly to lay everything on the table.
Before leaving I ask how is the way to Scutari, I confirm that the road is good and in a couple of hours I can get...




there.
I can not relax I'm up to more and more and I feel that I lack.
Partiro immediately after lunch, the face of heat and eat on the stomach.
Payment due to the kind woman in the car and go up to the road going north-west. I have not done the best wishes to the lady, the only greeted warmly, greeting me like a hypocrite.

28 km in the direction dell'areoporto = 49 km Lezhe = 45 km arrival at Scutari
(Tot 122 km)

= Scutari Maps (Shkoder) 110,000 inhabitants

The road was excellent, in a neighboring country, Bushat lives my dear friend, told me that if I passed in these days of Scutari to make a jump from him to see him, ask for a police patrol where the country I suggest that is close, just 10Km
This young friend, he works with me is married and father of a son. E 'come to spend a few days, in Albania for the family business, leaving the ladies in Florence, too strapazzo for a child who has only three months.
I welcome, as always, with his open smile, embrace and showing his pleasure, that I have come to see him at home.
Leads me inside the large and spacious, I presented his mother and his brothers their hospitality is warm and friendly, I do not expect anything less well known.
A bottle of brandy distilled from themselves, is at the center table, the glasses are filled and trouble to deny it would be an insulting their friendship and rudeness on my part.
In a short time the bottle is empty, the voices are interwoven in a series of questions and my answers, dovendogli telling my journey.
I try to summarize, but the fumes of alcohol begin to take effect, after many glasses of grappa, snacks, desserts and the company of local music is better than leaving to take the air.
We go out, me, my friend and his two brothers, the women are busy in the kitchen preparing lunch on the grill fire earthenware tiles that appear wavy roof, which cook in half meter eels, a delicacy in these parts.
Sitting on the stone made way to the bench, we fumiamo yet another cigarette, I ask, how is life in this area of Albania:

"Now it is quiet, but when 15 years ago, I was in Italy on a raft, crossing the Adriatic at night, this was an area in complete anarchy. The inhabitants, after the fall of dictator Hoxha, bought a sudden freedom, the lack of authority in the country, determining the failure to comply with all laws written, was only one law, one of the strongest, as always, on the other. The family feuds particularly in this place, multiplied, the emigration of many wild men in Albania, caused an upheaval of traditions and habits for many Albanians. Today many things have changed, the well-being is in constant ascent was reconstituted political authority and control, from the wall of law enforcement, construction of new roads, the other riasfaltatura, the swarm of new construction, architectural embellishments major cities, as you yourself have noted, are the most visible face of the rebirth of Albania. Still there by working for change, respect the old customs and cultural traditions of the people. Species, here in the north, the concept of respect is very strong, just nothing that knives and guns are still players, sold and made the account for now is an insulting thing freguente enough in these parts, even if over time things are changing radizcalmente . However even now, if someone laughing in the wrong time, if you look too insistently a woman whose man is a companion or brother does not matter, the finimondo happens, but all this I am sure, will change over time. "

It is true the company and their traditions will suffer an inevitable transformation, including women, will have a different position in society, although they have always been respected and taken into consideration, the total subordination to man is, at least in some local Albanian .
Lunch is ready, are treated very well this need to place the visitor at the center of attention is natural, the hospitality is sacred, especially in Eastern Europe.
The meal and libations, I have to stay until the evening with them, disposing of the hangover and digested all that well of God and slept a couple of hours, my friends, I propose to spend the evening in Scutari, I accept with enthusiasm .
Shkodra has a wonderful climate, the lake and mountains that make up the frame, make the climate mild, not much art to show but the Castle Rozafat, on top of the cliff, offers an exceptional view, makes it unique in the world.
We arrive in a city that is 22, the heat causes the inhabitants to go out and breathe some fresh air and an ice cream bar in the largest of the center.
We do the same thing you are doing all that is, go to the main street crossing several times, crossing families with small children in a wheelchair, group of boys who, like us, watch and comment on the beautiful girls, and that cheerful smiling definitely talk to us.
Not enough walking, we came to hear music and dance, as a result we end the evening in a nightclub that has nothing to envy to the Italians.
In return, the morning at 4, do not arrive in silence, we do the Official half Bushat alarm, but not their mother, who awaits the return of her children, sitting on a sofa and does not miss a rebuke to those ragazzacci.
> (DIARY DAY FOLLOWING JUNE 27 )