Hiking, cycling & reviews
  • Home
  • The adventurers
    • Guestbook
    • Contact us
  • Hiking
  • World cycle trip
    • Blog
    • Travel journal
    • Equipment list
    • Visa info
    • Frequently asked questions
    • Videos
  • Tough Mudder
  • Gear reviews
    • Black Diamond Hilight Tent Review 2020
    • Black Diamond Bibler Ahwahnee tent
    • Thermarest Neoair Medium
    • Down Under Travel Insurance
    • Southern Cross Travel Insurance
  • Other sites
  • Home
  • The adventurers
    • Guestbook
    • Contact us
  • Hiking
  • World cycle trip
    • Blog
    • Travel journal
    • Equipment list
    • Visa info
    • Frequently asked questions
    • Videos
  • Tough Mudder
  • Gear reviews
    • Black Diamond Hilight Tent Review 2020
    • Black Diamond Bibler Ahwahnee tent
    • Thermarest Neoair Medium
    • Down Under Travel Insurance
    • Southern Cross Travel Insurance
  • Other sites

Into the wind

6/28/2010

0 Comments

 
Distance: 114km

We had spent the night outside Fier in a small clean hotel above a restaurant and bar. We had been worried about possible noise but the reassurances of the owners proved correct - we didn't hear any. 


In true Albanian style the wind was strong and in our faces. The whole day I stayed behind Sam as he peddaled furiously to keep up a good pace.


At lunchtime we stopped at a small mini-market for some much needed nourishment. The lady spoke no English, but we managed to buy a third of a loaf of bread off her and some cold meat, plus she threw in some cheese. 


While we sat on the steps in the shade her daughter came down from the house upstairs. She was a senior about to do her final exams at a Turkish school in the capital. Her lessons were all taught in English so her English was great!


For more than an hour we talked with this bright, intelligent girl about her studies, ambitions and life in Albania.  She was hoping to be one of 200 students accepted into the only medical course in Albania, but she was aware that other students cheated. She had written to the Minister about the problem but received no reply. She considered visiting his office but decided not to waste her time as she knew the door would just be shut in her face. She has applied to study in "half the countries of the world", as she put it. But can't get a visa because she is Albanian. 


We were sorry to leave our new friend but she had to return to the books and we had to head back into the wind.
0 Comments

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.

    Author

    Sam and Shanna Evans are from Melbourne, Australia

    Archives

    September 2012
    November 2010
    October 2010
    September 2010
    August 2010
    July 2010
    June 2010
    May 2010
    April 2010
    March 2010
    February 2010
    January 2010

    Categories

    All
    Albania
    Bali
    Beach
    Belgium
    Brisbane
    Camping
    China
    Croatia
    England
    Flights
    France
    Gold Coast
    Greece
    Indonesia
    Ireland
    Italy
    Java
    Laos
    Malaysia
    Mexico
    Montenegro
    Netherlands
    Nsw Coast
    Pacific Highway
    Preparation
    Repairs
    Scotland
    Singapore
    Switzerland
    Thailand
    Transport
    Turkey
    Usa
    Wales
    Welcome

    RSS Feed

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.