Ladies UNIKE Conference in Albania part 2

Well the girls arrived last night in Tirana and were through immigration and collected their luggage in record time. Then by minibus to our hotel and were checked in very efficiently. They all felt like something to eat but too much and after their travelling didn't want to walk too far so we ate our evening meal in the hotel.

I think most slept like logs. They ought to. One can have a choice of pillow here. Spelt pillow, pure new wool pillow, horsehair pillow, neck supporting pillow, thoracic support pillow or a body pillow as well as normal ones. Breakfast was an easy affair this morning, and then time for a stroll round the centre of Tirana. We saw the Presidential Palace, then went to an Orthodox Cathedral before coming to the National Historical Museum with its huge mosaic mural above the entrance. It depicts victorious Albanians from different parts of their past and is an example of triumphalist art of 1981.

Then we walked to the Opera House,where Tomor and Miranda hold their church meetings, saw the main 18th century mosque in Tirana across the road, that is noted for its colourful external decoration. It was kept as a cultural monument during the atheism campaign of the 1960's.

The mosque of Et'hem Bey with Skanderbeg Square in the background.

12 noon, and it was time to have coffee with Mira, Ida's sister and George her fiance. Here is Penny chatting with Mira who gets married a week on Saturday.

Like many a bride to be, Mira is excited, busy and tired all at the same time. She is working this week but has holiday next week leading up to her wedding. After walking a while in the increasing warmth it was most enjoyable as Esther discovered, to sit in a comfy chair and have a drink.

She was not alone. We all needed a break. Here are Sarah, Lesley and Catriona...

and Iris

Time to wander back to the hotel for lunch. A set menu of the day. Cabbage salad with orange or pumpkin soup, then pork fillet with ratatouille and finishing with a small fresh fruit plate or cake, bottled water included all for £4 each.

Just to show that I am here with my wife, here is Ann with Penny, Catriona and Esther.

Should you think it is all relaxing, as I write this Catrina and Sarah are finalising the programme with Miranda in the hotel lobby and then the girls are preparing gift bags for the 400 women coming to the conference before we eat yet again this evening!

I think they all like Albania!

Ken

 

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