From banks and other thieves

Day #60

Monday, June 29.

Rest day in Tirana

Country: Albania

Task one - Bank.

This will be done before breakfast. Who knows what options may arise.

At the branch, I am told that my credit card will be destroyed. No alternatives.

Frustrating, but I have to deal with it.

At least I know the necessary numbers by heart and can continue to pay online and book accommodations.

Then I head to another bank for cash.

It goes smoothly.

There’s a familiar drugstore, so I can first get some new toothpaste and electrolytes.

Across the street, there’s a stand selling fresh figs among other things.

I’ve developed a taste for them and enjoy eating them leisurely at the central Skanderbeg Square.

Somehow I always end up there.

After shopping at the supermarket, it’s high time for breakfast, so I go looking for a shady spot in the park for a change.

While I eat, I work on the upcoming route, which has been provided in segments of different lengths.

Additionally, I need to reverse the direction and then transfer it from one app to another.

I notice a voyeur behind a tree watching three teenagers playing volleyball.

Oh wait, he’s stealing their phones from their backpacks.

I confront him, as best as I can given the language barrier, and he becomes aggressive.

It’s also awkward for him to be interrupted from his work.

The teenagers, who witness our confrontation, unfortunately misunderstand my wave for them to come over.

When the phones land on the grass, they check that they are theirs and quickly retrieve them.

They have their phones back, and I’m still dealing with the guy who is getting more aggressive.

Strange attitude towards solidarity.

However, my biggest concern in this situation is my bicycle.

His desperation doesn’t seem that great since he refuses my bread.

In the end, I can pack my things and walk away.

Everything went well.

At another location, I can continue organizing the sections of the TransDinarica.

I roughly input them into the regular app for an approximate overview of the route.

Meanwhile, I transfer the stages with the distance information into my notebook.

Sounds complicated, and it is too.

In the end, I feel good about the route, distance, and my remaining travel time.

Much effort, much relaxation.

In contrast to the hustle and bustle around me.

Tirana is a hectic city, just like Istanbul and Thessaloniki.

At least there are some narrow bike lanes in the center, where I spend most of my time, and correspondingly more cyclists. This again supports the argument that infrastructure must be created, and it is being used.

After an iced coffee, it’s time to clean the chain.

I quickly have company, and there’s an interested glance into my side pockets as if it were a supermarket.

I notice stark contrasts between rich and poor.

Young toughs in flashy cars and more homeless people than I’ve seen elsewhere.

Then I head back to my accommodation because to pump air, I need to replace a valve first.

It’s fun to fill the tire completely in these temperatures.

I’m thankful for Dave’s air pump, which has a pressure gauge.

It’s worth its weight in gold; otherwise, I would have worked too much in the end.

When I walk into the city in the evening, I’m initially confused because football is on everywhere.

Eventually, it dawns on me that the World Cup must have started.

Apparently, Albania is playing too, as many tables are occupied and everyone is watching the screens intently.

After dinner, most things are packed because I want to start early tomorrow.

As long as it’s still cool. Or so.

The air conditioning provides relief, as every movement is sweaty and my apartment is right under the roof.

This way, I can at least relax and doze off.

Song of the day:

Dying Fetus - Wrong One to Fuck With