My first summer in Albania has been a beautiful one. Yes it has been long and hot, but it has also been full of some truly wonderful experiences. Here are some of my favourite moments.
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bmn59kshqWs/?taken-by=thebalkanista
- Bombing around on the back of a motorbike with the hot air in my face and the sun beating down on my skin.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BmqZIdfBTFP/?taken-by=thebalkanista
- Working on my balcony surrounded by my two, fat, sleeping cats.
- The sweet and smokey smell of street vendors cooking corn on the cob on makeshift grills.
- Discovering new beaches and sheltering from the midday sun in the mouth of caves.
- The soft whir of the fans in my house and in sweaty coffee shops as I sip iced coffees.
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bmkw8hbhuJi/?taken-by=thebalkanista
- Writing the first chapters of my book in a field in Theth with only the tinkling of cowbells to distract me.
- The sticky, saltiness of sunkissed skin after a day at the beach or the lake.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BmdXMQ3hcVX/?taken-by=thebalkanista
- Grilling fresh fish on a bbq overlooking Lake Shkodra and picking the bones out of the soft, buttery flesh.
- Stray dogs dozing on parched roundabouts in the mid-afternoon sun.
- Floating in Lake Shkodra and gazing at the mountains that lie beyond the tips of your toes.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BmicTNThnst/?taken-by=thebalkanista
- The low rumble of grumbling thunder and the sharp crack of lightning that goes as fast as it came.
- Sleeping late, waking late and the general slow down of life as the temperatures soar.
- Drowning chilled glasses of sweet, homemade white wine on a summers evening.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BmYoFjABiIx/?taken-by=thebalkanista
- Wandering down backstreets and searching for new pieces of colourful street art as I go.
- Afternoons sleeping on the beach with a sunhat covering my face and a lukewarm cocktail next to me.
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bmdr24ehdI8/?taken-by=thebalkanista
- Kayaking, paddleboarding, and swimming- as much as possible.
- Roadside stalls pregnant with figs that are so ripe they split open, revealing the juices inside.
- The occasional rain that brings an acrid smell of grime and nature and provides a moment of welcome cool.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BlpTFIlnDT7/?taken-by=thebalkanista
- Poppies and roses at the beginning of summer, sunflowers and daisies in the middle, and powder blue blooms towards the end.
- The incessant pump of a latino type beat with a minor scale- the sound of Albania’s summer hits that I sing along to without understanding the words.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BnD9xoEhFL3/?taken-by=thebalkanista
- Morning coffee with friends in deserted bars and streets.
- The sweet ache of ice cream on a Saturday afternoon.
- The chirping of crickets, the hum of electrical wires, and the cooing of wood pigeons.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BlpS87UnoJN/?taken-by=thebalkanista
- The super-sweet taste of peaches, nectarines, and melons and the heady aroma they release as you slice into their soft flesh.
- The smell of blooming flowers in the humid evening air.
- Watching a group of buskers play traditional music in the streets of Shkodra, and watching passers by stop to dance.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BmYzBGdBI1k/?taken-by=thebalkanista
- Drinking wine on a rooftop, watching the sunset and listening to the call to prayer and the church bells play in perfect synchronicity with the background music.
- New places, new food, new feelings and new experiences.
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bm5jf7ABOjq/?taken-by=thebalkanista
- And of course, lots of new friends <3
