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Albania - Mirëseardhje!

Although I have - in real life (!) - visited neighbors Montenegro and Greece, I did not know much about Albania.  A quick internet search taught me that there is a theme in Albanian culture related to the eagle.  The Tale of the Eagle is an Albanian folk tale that explains how Albania and Albanians received their indigenous name, Shqipëria (land of the eagles).  The flag of Albania also has a double-headed eagle in the center, representing both the north and south of Albania.  


After reading about the eagle, we listened and danced to Albanian pop singers Dua Lipa, Rita Ora, and Melinda Ademi.  Melinda Ademi has a song called “Çifteli,” which we learned is an Albanian lute: a plucked string musical instrument, with only two strings, leading us to listening to Albanian folk songs using the çifteli.  Our favorite was the Albanian version of “Despacito” by Fatmir Makolli with the çifteli. Beautiful traditional Albanian dresses accompany the song on the video. We had such a fun dance party!


We ended our travels in Albania by eating homemade Albanian cornbread and reading about Mother Teresa - probably the most famous Albanian of all - and an inspiration to us all.  Faleminderit Schumë, Albania!  Benin is next!

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