Lheze, Albania - Mavrovo, Macedonia: 178 km, total ascent 2350 meter. In Albania, I followed the SH6, national road no. 6 for more than 100 km - very quiet, constantly going up and down, and very varying road surface quality - from very smooth asphalt to totally detoriated pothole infested sections. A joyful kicking cavalry it was again, recalling my road through Russia last year! Oh, by the way, yesterday's saddle sores were mostly gone by noon today!
I was merely 24 hours in Albania but I left the country with mixed feelings. It's not at all because of that road quality, not at all about the scenery - looked great and tasted for much more. It's about the people - both grown-up men, teenagers and kids. It would be very ok if they would greet me - from out of the car or from the side of the road. I would eagerly wave back. But a lot of them, they didn't greet, they didn't smile, they didn't nod, they just yelled like hooligans, making uncouth gestures. I felt as it was not about a random sign of kindness to a stranger, it felt just aggressive. It's such a pity I felt some relief when I reached the Macedonian border - no more yelling, just peace, a nod at most.
Of course, this is just my very personal impression, I'd truly wish it to be different anyway. A sincere thanks goes out to my host Elvis and his parents in Lehze, genuinely kind people who all alone ensured the positive memory about Albanian people will most certainly prevail.
As for the rest of the people, i am sorry for them. I can only wish my impression is wrong or even just motivated by my own prejudices. Who am I to judge, there must also be a motivation for this apparent sense of dormant hostility.
So long Albania, take care! I am sure I will be back, second opinion genuinely needed!
I was merely 24 hours in Albania but I left the country with mixed feelings. It's not at all because of that road quality, not at all about the scenery - looked great and tasted for much more. It's about the people - both grown-up men, teenagers and kids. It would be very ok if they would greet me - from out of the car or from the side of the road. I would eagerly wave back. But a lot of them, they didn't greet, they didn't smile, they didn't nod, they just yelled like hooligans, making uncouth gestures. I felt as it was not about a random sign of kindness to a stranger, it felt just aggressive. It's such a pity I felt some relief when I reached the Macedonian border - no more yelling, just peace, a nod at most.
Of course, this is just my very personal impression, I'd truly wish it to be different anyway. A sincere thanks goes out to my host Elvis and his parents in Lehze, genuinely kind people who all alone ensured the positive memory about Albanian people will most certainly prevail.
As for the rest of the people, i am sorry for them. I can only wish my impression is wrong or even just motivated by my own prejudices. Who am I to judge, there must also be a motivation for this apparent sense of dormant hostility.
So long Albania, take care! I am sure I will be back, second opinion genuinely needed!