Travels
By Faraz Khan
Islamabad, Pakistan
My first trip to Albania was in the summer of 2014. I was to go see my mother who had just moved to Tirana for work. As I made my travel arrangements, I realized that we in Pakistan knew little about Albania; neither had we ever bothered to find out more. All this was to change for me.
Over the course of the next three years, I made several trips to Albania and ended up making long-lasting experiences and friendships.
Albania is a Muslim-majority small country in southeast Europe with a population of less than three million. Officially atheistic Communism, spearheaded by EnverHoxha, dominated much of Albanian history during the 20 th century. Despite that, the Bektashi Dervish Order endured. Also, Mother Teresa, humanitarian icon with a global impact, was Albanian. Communism eventually ended in the early 1990’s, allowing many Albanians to finally taste some of the long-denied freedoms and liberties. Post-Communist Albania transformed from a closed centrally planned state to a modern open-market economy.
I arrived in Tirana, expecting to be greeted by a European city. Instead, Tirana seemed like small-town Pakistan, with worn-out infrastructure and limited modernity. There were no six lane highways, no skyscrapers and surprisingly little global influence. McDonald’s, for example, had not made its way to Tirana even in 2014. I could tell the country was still grappling with economic hardships particularly related to unemployment. I was staying close to the center of the city, where more affluent Albanians would hang out at coffee shops and restaurants.
Over the course of my trip, I met with Albanians from various walks of life. My gym trainer, Dido, provided me some valuable insight into Albanian culture. Dido’s background was rather interesting as his father was Muslim and mother, Christian. He told me that inter-faith marriages were quite common. The most refreshing thing to see was the attitude of Albanians towards different faiths. I encountered no evidence of religious extremism, no sectarianism and no prejudice against each other’s personal beliefs. Even though I was the only outsider in most settings, I was always welcomed with open arms wherever I went.
Another interesting aspect of Albanian society was its similarity to ours. Family played a big role in the lives of most Albanians. Most people I met were quite close to their families, with a majority living with their parents. In addition, I found that most Albanians also followed the Pakistan concept of “log kyakahein gay” (what will people say). Many of the decisions we take are based on how society will perceive them. In Pakistan, many families have to spend outrageous amounts on weddings just to maintain social appearance. In Albania, societal pressures demanded following Italian style and American culture.
An often-overlooked fact about Albania is its cuisine. Traditional Albanian dishes have their roots with the ancient Ottoman Empire. Meat and vegetables are the staple, along with bread and rice. I remember frequenting many of the seafood restaurants in the neighborhood. The grilled meat was also delicious, albeit without the level of spice that we are accustomed to in Pakistan.
My last trip to Albania was in early 2017, around the same time my mother’s tenure was ending in Tirana. Reflecting back, I realize the true beauty of Albania lies with its people. The religious harmony, the societal values and the accepting attitude sets Albanians apart from other European countries.
Albania is one of the hidden gems of Europe and a place worth exploring.
