The American flag is often flown alongside the Albanian flag.

Why? Woodrow Wilson prevented Albania from being broken apart after the WWI. During the peace negotiations, secret plans were made by Greece and Italy to take big hunks of real estate from Albania - which was still trying to get on its feet after throwing out the Ottomans in 1912. When Woodrow Wilson got wind of it, he put a stop to it, demanding that Albania be allowed to keep its borders intact. -Source

(I will add a photo as soon as I find a safe spot to stop and take one. I typically see this combination when we are driving. Going 80 kph does not make for a great photo.)

The town of Shëngjin, Albania was renamed Wilson in honor of Woodrow Wilson from 1924 until it was invaded by Italy in WWII and renamed San Giovanni di Medua by the Italians.

After the war, the town reverted to its original name.

A bust of Woodrow Wilson overlooks the beach promenade in Shëngjin.

Due to Albania’s positive feelings toward the U.S., Americans may stay in Albania for a year on their passport alone. (For most others it’s 90 days.)

-Source

(It’s always good to double check this information in case it changes.)

In the Albanian language Albania is called Shqipëria or Republika e Shqipërisë. (So why doesn’t the rest of the world call it Shqipëria? I have questions!)

Shqipëria translates as the land of eagles.

After WWII, Enver Hoxha ushered in a 41 year era of totalitarian Communism. He isolated the country, prevented travel outside of the country, forbade the personal ownership of cars (except for himself), and imprisoned or executed those who disagreed with him. After his death in 1985, democracy quickly reasserted itself. But his reign prevented the country from progressing and now they are playing catch up.

An interesting side effect of cars being forbidden is that cities are highly walkable.

Albanian apartments, villas, and restaurants are whimsical in color and style.

Vlorë, Albania

Shëngjin, Albania

The ground floor is floor 0, not 1. And the underground garage is -1.

Pebble beaches (as opposed to sandy beaches) result in gorgeous sea colors and clear sea water. - Himarë, Albania

I saw shades of blue here that I’ve never seen before.

Stray dogs.

Stray dogs are an issue here as I suspect it once was in the U.S. before they got aggressive about spay and neuter programs. Most dogs that I’ve seen look as if they are getting enough to eat. Many have tags in their ears, indicating they are getting some veterinary attention. They nap and no one bothers them. Some of them look like they are living their best life. But I ran across a couple of elderly dogs that I’d have liked to have brought home. There are some groups trying to address the issue, but it’s going to take time.

Albanians sheltered Jews and never caved in to Nazi demands to turn them over. The Jews were given fake passports with Muslim identities; they lived with Albanian families, they dressed in Albanian clothing, melting into countryside villages.

The Street of Jews in Old Town, Vlorë commemorates this time. If you want to know more, here is a complete account of the honor of the Albanians in sheltering Jews.