Top Ten Things to Know About Life in Albania

10. It takes fifteen hours to cross a country the size of the state of Maryland.
9. Streets have no names or numbers. Only in October 2006 did they announce we will be getting a postal code system for the first time.
8. Albanians shake their heads side to side to mean “yes”, and nod up and down to mean “no”.
7. I’ve drank the freshest water I’ve ever drank from a mountain stream just 100 km away from the dirtiest smog I’ve ever inhaled.
6. There really are potholes the size of Volkswagons, and just as deep, too.
5. We have a pyramid in the middle of Tirana, built, yes, actually, for the purpose of a mausoleum. There is a bar there now called “Mummy.”
4. Lamb brain isn’t entirely undigestible.
3. Blood feuds still exist – a whole new meaning to the “family feud.”
2. Crossing the street is akin to “Frogger” – a little bit forward, backward, to the side, and eventually, you’ll make it across. Or you'll go splat!
1. Orange modular furniture and pea green walls are really, really in.