Rug Shopping in Kruja-Bye Meghann

A lot of changes happening in Tirana for all of us; most noticeable is the arrival of our new Ambassador, who is from Colorado (Hector's land) and will be here the beginning of August.
This past week (read Thursday) was our last pizza night with Meghann, who returned to Colorado on Friday. She will be missed; a bright young person whose perspective of Tirana was indicative of her adventurous spirit. Meghann is really going to be missed by Alba, who has to first receive her rabies shot and then wait at least thirty (30) more days until she can fly to Colorado and her new home. Alba has expressed her displeasure with Hector by taking his laundry off the line and delivering it to me this morning. I had to give it back, the color was okay, just didn't fit quite right! Last I saw of Hector and Alba was something about a very long walk as Hector was leashing her up for Alba's next adventure!
Anna left too, to journey to Switzerland for a visit with her sister and family and a cruise around the Mediterranean, returning on July 20.
On Friday night, Mike, Hector and yours truly attended a birthday/goodbye party for Paul Frasier at the Kaon Brew Pub. Paul is leaving PAMECA (EU organization) and heading to Pristina, Kosovo to work for OSCE (Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe) as the CFO for them. I believe a good time was had by all and we returned in the wee hours of the morning; I must admit I was at a total loss most of the evening speaking with my English counterparts who were from different regions of England (Manchester,Yorkshire and Lancashire)...idiomatically, I have no idea what transpired, they do not speak the same English to each other and definitely not West Coast American English; we all could speak beer (read copious amounts), so that smoothed the edges.

We had an earthquake Saturday morning at 0015 hours. I was sitting at the computer, having just returned from Paul's party, when I noticed my speakers and "teddy-bear" bouncing on the shelf above my head. Now, I'm from the Pacific Northwest and we have 'quakes once in a while (actually fairly regular basis); and so realizing the rumbling and moaning of my building did not infer a haunting from former tenants; I quickly positioned myself in the doorway; just like that it was over and the building went back to sleep. I called Mike to see how his 10th floor aerie withstood the quake; okay, Mike is not from a region of earthquakes and was justifiably "impressed" ( read, wow, Disney "E" ticket impressed)with our little "tumbler". A brief chat and on to Hector; called him with no luck only to discover he slept through it! The epicenter was in Elbasan, (12 miles below the surface and a 4.8 rating) which located about 50 kilometers from Tirana. No obvious damage in the 'hood.
Mike is moving into our building this week and since the landlord is remodeling the apartment (Mike has chosen some of the colors), he has decided to get some accent rugs. This decision has taken the three us of back to Kruja and the "old bazaar" to search out the perfect rugs for Mike. It is a short visit to the shops, Mike seems to know what he would like and gets a good feel for what is available in Kruja. The shop owner explains some the history of Albanian rugs and the how the various colors are associated with specific regions of the country (The discussion is quite similar to my previous lesson in Istanbul at the rug factory). The rugs are patterned in animal (some mythical creatures), geometric and floral designs; with some combinations of some or all present in the final offering. The shop owner also has some "real" carpets quite similar to the Turkish rugs in Istanbul; he explains that the carpets are about twenty (20) years old and were manufactured during the "communist era". We thank him and let him know we will be back (read sending some co-workers to haggle for us).

Hector wants to look for an etching or painting and heads off to one of the galleries to find a new treasure. Mike and I walk the length of the old bazaar; which street and gutter are composed of very old, rounded stones that are polished (read slippery) from the constant friction from shoes/sandals and the rocks. This is a good people watching walk; we are rewarded with many fellow travelers passing us from both directions. Heading back, a simple decision is made, shade and a drink and maybe some food. Hector grabs us on the way back and shows the gallery and what he is considering; he has a good eye, now to work the owner. Wishing him luck we move up towards the castle and a restaurant adorned with "coca-cola" flags!

This picture is from the "top" of the old bazaar and captures some of the details of the upper outer walls of some of the old wooden structures(this is one of the better preserved pieces) in the old bazaar.
A seat with a view and a beer in the shade; we definitely are creatures of habit! A short time later Hector calls and says he scored and where are we? Up the stairs bag in hand here comes Hector; who it seems could not get the "right price" and ends up buying small copper plant holders.
Almost immediately, conversation turns to food and menus appear for our review; easy choice for me and Mike(who wants to run to Durres for lunch-not happening)but settles for a pizza and salad (me too). Hector on the other hand becomes an Italian speaker to get his point across; you see, Hector really likes meat(we call him the "carnivore" and Meghann was/is "junior carnivore") and explains to the waiter he wants "gordo" sized meal; and does he get what he wants. The waiter returns after a period of time with a large wooden tray with an equally large clay pot filled with lamb that has been baked in the oven. The lamb is covered with fresh bay leaves and garlic; Hector is in awe and speaks very few words for a considerable time, only uttering this is sooooo good-thank you!! I am in awe that he can eat that much lamb; I fear the lamb population in Albania could be in serious danger if he stays for a long period of time.
Back to the truck and hopefully back to Tirana, however, Hector heads off towards another store and a few minutes later returns with a bas-relief of the "old bazaar".

We, as is our custom, get lost trying to get down the mountain and through Kruja proper; however, there are limited options(which works in our favor) and soon, homeward bound.