Albania

In 1945 self pronounced King Zog fled the country before the fascists of Italy invaded. Albania became the Peoples Socialist Republic of Albania led by dictator Enver Hoxha.  Under a strict Communist regime no-one could enter or leave the country - they we totally isolated from the rest of the world.  There were no cars except for elite, with only approximately 200 cars in the entire country.  The main mode of transportation was bicycle. In the city of Tirana, the capital, it was forbidden for the general public to enter ‘The Block’ in the city center - it was for the elite only. They would be shot on site.  Even after the fall of communism the people were still afraid to enter the city center.

In 1991 Communism failed and Albania became a free democratic country.  At least one third of the population fled the country to Greece and Italy. In 1997 the people were enticed by pyramid schemes believing that this is capitalism, investing all their savings in the scheme and losing it all.  The people revolted and raided the bunkers left over from the communist regime and took to the streets.  The UN stepped in and a new Prime Mister was elected.  Today Albania’s economy is growing and they are trying to get into the European Union. 

First Stop on our way to Gjiokaster was the ruins at Butrint. The ruins at Butrint were originally a Greek colony, then a Roman city, and the bishopric of the Byzantine Empire, then occupied briefly by the Venetians and finally abandoned due to marshes forming at the site.  At the top of the site was a recreated fortress but the interesting part was some of the stone walls looked eerily similar to Machu Picchu and Sacsayhuaman in Peru.

Camera: Fuji XT20