Angelo from ItsAlbania!

LEAVING the BAG

I was advised moving to Durres to escape Albanian Hell in Vlora I put myself into. But it was not easy. Long term renting was minimum for 6 months, but I did not know what could be my future situation-renting or buying. Could Mikki sell my Macedonian apartment? It was only many questions waiting for answers. Somewhere online I found a place for a good renting price and for 3 months only. Seemed as a good arrangement. The owner Angelo spoke English. He said that it was not in a city, but there was a bus there. We arranged meeting. I came to the wrong bus station. Angelo lived in Tirana and didn’t know much about Durres buses. As it came out not many people knew and it was a bad news as I hoped to go back and force Durres-Vlora, but it came out a big problem. Of course the question “Why is there no convenient bus service between the two major tourist cities?” had usual answers “It’s Albania!” and “Ask Mister Rama!”.

Albania reminds me a kindergarten, where kids for every issue should go to the teacher for resolving it. Prime-minister Mister Rama is that teacher people send me to for any answers to any questions.

In spite of my numerous efforts to find the answers it still a mystery-Why I should get the bus to Vlora somewhere on a highway? Why on the way back a bus can chose different highways and drop me anywhere so I could end up in any place a driver wants? Why bus drivers are not allowed to get to the bus station?
“It’s Albania!” is an answer to my questions

But Angelo was so great, twice getting me from “somewhere”, calming me down, showing and explaining me everything I needed for life and making my life comfortable already inside the place, which was very pleasant.

However in a few days it became obvious it was a wrong choice-the sea was far away to walk there, the bus between a place and city made things complicated and trip to Vlora and Tirana was a huge problem, so we agreed that I’ll pay Angelo daily tourist price and I move away. He was OK. I asked Angelo if that OK if I’d leave my bag with things by his place for a while till I settle down. He said “No Problem!” and I moved away having  nomadic life between Durres, Vlora and Tirana for a couple of very hard months with my foot being hurt and in pain.

Then The Universe (or God) send me a place of my own. As soon as I got a key from the place I started to get my two bags, which I left in 2 different places. With one place it was solved easily, but with Angelo the issue lasted for a few long months

NEGOTIATION PROCESS-BIG ISSUE around SMALL THING

I signed agreement on 27/09/2022, so I started the bag epic even a week before. WE discussed other issues with Angelo with no problem, but "Bag Issue" became Big Issue

20/09/2022
-Also about my bag. How I could get it? I need to come when you are there?

IN 10 DAYS

01/10/2022
-Also finally I can get my bag. How can I do it?

In 20 DAYS

29/10/2022
-Hi Angelo! How are you! When you'll be in Durres, so I could get my bag? Thanks
7:36 am
-my bag
NO ANSWER from Angelo

IN 10 DAYS

08/11/2022
-Hi Angelo! How are you doing! Sold your house? I was writing to you about taking my bag, but did not get the answer Is it OK? How could I take it? All the best
3:39 pm
-Hi Angelo! Why you don't answer? Is something happened to the bag, just say it and I stop bothering you Thanks
7:05 pm
-Hi Dana! good evening. Nothing happened to the bag because it’s nothing important. I think they’re saw the bag still at the house. So we have to schedule one day when you gonna be around and I get the bag and give it to you also
7:09 pm
Its not the first time I ask, but probably every time I ask, you was in the  car and then forget. So, I wondered what happened. I'm OK, still  in the process of finishing basic things. Compare to Vlora it feels as paradise. I can come any day convenient to you , because  my Plepa bus brings me very close to Rinia bus. No problem at all...
SILENCE

IN 20 DAYS

25/11/2022
-Hi Angelo! How is everything! Any news about my stuff? I have there one important thing I need a lot and cannot substitute with anything
(I had some important thing there I needed to use a lot. )
4:53 pm
-Hi Dana!  how are you the bag should be there because I don’t think it was any important thing there should be at the house
(How Angelo knew what is there and how he judged the importance of it, I wonder)
5:34 pm
-In the bag I have something I need very much.  When you will come there?
5:53 pm
-Angelo, can we solve that somehow?
6:22 pm
-Well when I go to the house I will check for the bag and after whenever you got time you can go and pick it up let the person know like you coming to pick up the bag and then we can schedule a time
6:30 pm
-OK. You also can tell me when you go and I can come. I'm here now in Durres. It could take me 1-1,5 hours-no problem.
6:34 pm
-Right now you live in Durresi
6:35 pm
-Sure
6:35 pm
-OK


IN a MONTH

30/12/2022
-Happy New Year Angelo! To you a and your family! Hopefully in the next year we'll solve issue with my bag.... (avash-avash....)
6:15 pm
-Good evening ! and happy new year to you too and all the best

IN 3 MONTHES

20/03/2023
-Hi Angelo! how are you! hope everything is great! Spring is here! Could I take my bag now?
12:14 pm
22/03/2023
-Angelo???....
2:10 pm

NEXT MONTH

08/04/2023
-Hi Angelo! Why I cannot get the answer about MY THINGS ?
8:51 am

NEXT DAY

09/04/2023
-Why don't you answer Angelo?
8:38 pm
-Good evening Dana.Happy Easter and how are you?
9:08 pm
-The bags should be where you left. I haven’t checked for that because there is somebody staying the house
9:09 pm
-But no worries
9:09 pm
-Can I come one day and take it, when a person is in
9:10 pm
-She’s leaving for Long time
9:11 pm
-When she is leaving?
9:12 pm
-No, She’s there for a long time
9:13 pm
-O)K, CAN I come and take my bag when its convenient for her?
9:13 pm
-Ok
9:14 pm
-Could you arrange the time, please?
9:15 pm
-OK I will
9:15 pm
-Thanks Happy Easter!
9:15 pm
-Thank you,
9:16 pm
-Angelo, if you give me the person's contact I'll arrange everything myself

In 3 DAYS

10:20 pm
12/04/2023
-Angelo! Its already obviously not right and NOT good. Month after month the same story. I NEED MY THINGS NOW. Give me contact of that person or I will come and try to do it myself. It’s not good Angelo to treat me that way
6:00 pm
-When you have time to come and pick up your things,
6:34 pm
-tomorrow
6:35 pm

IN 4 DAYS

16/04/2023
-nice!!! Its Albania. Even small problem CANNOT be solved here
10:13 am
-Good morning, Dana .If that bag was full of money, you shouldn’t be doing like this. Do you know nobody needs your stuff? But this week is coming. I will find a day and go and get the bag and leave it to you
-Recently somebody in lawyer's office said "Its Albania! Everything here is only about money!" SAD, but TRUE......but for some people other things also have values
1:24 pm
- You’re never gonna lose anything at my place ..
1:28 pm
-It NOT about losing. It’s about having and using-that is what things are for
1:30 pm
-No no it’s not my fault
1:58 pm
-You think its Mister Rama's fault?  Then, if you are not a tourist NOTHING could be solved in Albania....really... everybody thinks that way
2:13 pm

   IN 7 DAYS LATE in the EVENING
Hi Dana, good evening how are you? I got your bag I left it at the entrance of your door where are used to live?
8:49 pm
-WHERE it is? in Rinia?
-yes
- I will come tomorrow


GETTING the BAG BACK

I went there at morning. Two buses. Last year bus there every hour. Now it was every two hours. Angelo should know that even if he didn’t use busses, but he rent the place.
Of course I came 5 minutes after the bus left and had to wait for 2 hours for the next bus. Of course all the feelings came up and started to chock me. I wanted to return back home, but it’d make things even worse. Besides I imagine my bag staying by the door outside and the rain would destroy things. I had no choice. So I went to wandering around, taking to people in stores
That is the best part of human part of Albania, where people are great and anyone could get the best treatment as possible money source. Street hospitality in Albania is the best I ever met and always available. Soon my mood improved
The next task was to grab the bag and get to the bus back to city, otherwise I had to wait for 2 hours in Rinia and there “street hospitality” would not be available much. As I already forgot the road half of the way I was standing next to the exit door, still I missed my stop. Bus was looking at my strange behavior. To get on time to the bus back I had around 20 minutes
I came to the place and started to open the yard metal gate making a noise. The young man got out of the house to see who was breaking into his place. I looked into trying to see my bag. I tried to explain him something, which was not easy to explain, but he got the name and started to call Angelo.
My bag was by the gate covered by the trolley used for ground work - usually for garbage. I’d never found it myself. The guy was very surprise. He said Angelo was there a day before. He could not get the situation. I was afraid to miss the bus, so I told him that I was not understand anything either, but “Its Albania!”. The guy said ‘Yes, It’s Albania!” and nothing there was to add. I thanked him and ran to the bus…I should take a picture of my bag under the garbage trolley, but I was rushing. I was so afraid to miss the bus.
The driver was asking where I was going. Finally I could breathe out and relax. I opened the bag, I didn’t know what was there. I forgot. Only remember those things I needed to use and Amaretto liquor. I found there a book by Milan Kundera «The Book of Laughter and Forgetfulness». It was nice

I can laugh now-the drama is over. I thanked the Universe that I did that trip that day, otherwise my bag would be ruined under the rain including the book  and of course it’d be my fault as Angelo did the best for me almost as Alvaro. I was on the bus on time, so I could be at home soon. When I was near my house the strong rain started and I imagined again my bag being under the garbage trolley
Laughing!?-sure
Forget!? –do not think so
Mysterious mentality !!! I still did not get the answer to WHY all that happened and which other similar surprises will expect me in “It’s Albania!”