Tirana's Gotta Tirana

As a parent, one does not always succeed. But we have our moments. I know one of my mother's success moments had to do with a birthday card. She likes to retell the story, so it must be a success moment. She got me a birthday card and on the front it said, "Son, when they made you, they broke the mold." It shows a picture of a mold being broken by a man with tools. Then you flipped it open and it says "And beat the hell out of the mold maker." The corresponding picture of the man with tools is not so good for the man with tools.

It was an amazing birthday card. Score one for my mom.

What holds those projecting parts up?

Alrica and I have visited Tirana, Albania before. But this is the first time we are staying for a longer stretch. This gives me a chance to walk the city and explore. And I have to tell you, Tirana is breaking the mold.

I feel loved.

When you visit European capital cities, they often have their own character. London is the ultimate in cosmopolitan. Paris is groomed and artistic. Rome is ancient and haughty. Vienna is a showcase of Austro-Hungarian grandeur. Sarajevo is resilient and functional. But what is Tirana? Or maybe the better question is this: What is Tirana aspring to become?

Good thing he has cling powers, or that head would flip him over

Best answer I can come up with: quirky.

I wasn't expecting to see Spidey again so soon.

There is so much construction going on in Tirana. But why build something that's just a boring rectangular prism when you can build something that isn't? The architecture of the city plays with shapes, colors, and structure. Many of these buildings are still going up and it will be interesting to see them when they are complete.

Like its wrapping its big arms around you

Architecture is just one feature of Tirana that feels different, weird, but in a fun and friendly way. The murals are youthful and surprising. The store names are often puns (and there are a surprising number of puns in English.) It is almost like the city is serious about not being too serious.

I guess this is an English/Latin pun

I walked across bridges over the river where some vendor had laid out thousands of books on the railings. They were in Shqip, so I wasn't in the market, but hey, you have a bridge here, why not use it for something else?

Building not interesting enough? I have an idea, stripes!

I think what best encapsulates this serious about not serious vibe is the sign I saw prohibiting a particular activity. Not only is it not allowed, they make it clear what they plan to do if you violate the rule.

What if you're really trying to become a YouTube sensation?

I think that, like my mother's birthday card, this will lead to a success for Tirana. And maybe this time the mold maker might escape unscathed.