Five Nights in Tirana

 Hello good people,

It’s been a good month so far.

Got my two-week annual holiday in tow and utilized it very well, if I say so myself. I’d always envied the ability of my colleagues to just pack a bag, grab their passports, and go on international trips whenever they felt like it, something we green passport-holding people could only dream about.

However, Chioma and I decided to say NO to Jaga Jaga and break that yoke. I mean there are countries where our UK BRPs could take us without any stress, so why not? We had synchronized a week of leave from our respective jobs, so we had a good chunk of time for travel waka.

We literally spun a globe on the limited choices and decided to go to Albania!

Of course, this decision was vastly helped by the amazingly low flight costs on RyanAir, and seeing as it wasn’t peak tourist season as well, we got some really good, discounted hotel rates from booking.com.

It was exciting! This would be our first out-of-country trip together and hopefully, the first of many more to come.

We packed our bags with the minimum fuss, booked a return bus ride from Birmingham to Stansted Airport, and caught the Ryanair flight to Tirana, Albania.

Guys, I know I say it all the time but please, travel as much as you can, to wherever you can. It’s an essential part of building exposure and increasing knowledge.

Albania, while still classified as a third-world European country was absolutely beautiful! In our prior planning, we had made the mistake of just booking one location within the country (the capital Tirana) for our full stay and it turns out that there were other scenic, tourist-worthy locations (Saranda, Himarra and Ksamill) which would take time to go back and forth, so the entirety of our trip was based in Tirana.

It was still worth it though.

Our hotel was lovely (even though they were doing some off-season construction work)

and we had enough time to tour the city,

see the sights,

sample the food

and make new friends

. The highlights of the five days came when we stumbled on a personal tour guide package and got in touch with one fantastic fellow named Aris

. He had a tour guide company and alongside two lovely Iraqi-British ladies (Helow and Layla)

we teamed up with, he gave us a two-day mind-blowing personal tour of Tirana which, I have to say, lived up to the billing.

On the first day, we drove up a small mountain, seeing several amazing views from different points on the mountain

, driving past local goatherds with their flock and then hiking for about 15 minutes further up a narrow trail to emerge at the foot of a stunning waterfall!!.

We dispersed with plans to meet up the following day. Chioma and I then toured the town, went to Skannenberg Square, a very big mall in the town center, and had lunch at a local structure called the Pyramid.

The second day of the tour was even better. First, we drove up a different mountain to the outskirts of a picturesque city called Kruje, had a brief look at the city, then went on a terrifyingly exhilarating drive on an extremely narrow, harrowingly twisting and winding road which was cut into the side of the mountain that went up and up and up to the highest point of Tirana as could reach. When I tell you this road was narrow… it was just broad enough for two cars to fit side by side but well maintained for most parts. Thankfully, Aris was a confident, competent driver whose Mercedes vehicle was built for this sort of thing and it turned out to be a very fun drive.

Even though it was a bit scary at some points, my goodness, the scenery views from the drive were breathtaking!

Ears popping from the high altitude, we reached our first stop, a resort in the mountains where we refreshed ourselves with some drinks and crystal clear mountain water,

had some more fresh air and continued the drive upwards to the peak of the mountain.

My people, when we got to the highest point of this mountain, I tell you, the views are better experienced than can be described. We stopped at an abandoned temple and just took in the wonderful view. Bruh!!

The five of us drove on down later on into the heart of Kruje and had a fantastic Albanian lunch spread at a popular hotel there.

We then visited a local bazaar where all the touristy stuff was being sold, and rounded off the day with a visit to a local castle where the Albanians fought off the Germans in one of the earlier world wars.

It was very well worth it.

We rested from all the exertions the next day and very sadly, had to travel back to the UK immediately afterwards.

Prior to our departure, we had heard all these things about the country re the gangsters, drugs and vices but funny enough, we experienced none of these. Instead, the people were amicable, very curious (mainly because we were the only black people at most of the places we went to) and went out of their way to try and engage us to make friends. One guy at our favorite eating spot even bought us drinks and gave Chioma a pomegranate seed treat when she said she hadn’t had it before.

All in all, a very enjoyable vacation.

God bless Albania!!

 

Guess who's back? ..back again..

 Howdy folks, so a quick update on the last post..

 

My dear American brethren decided overwhelmingly, to give oga Donald another chance in the White house and solidify the Republican position for a while to come by getting the majority seats in their Senate and House.

I had an inkling that something like this was going to happen.

America seems to be a unique place with a vast gulf between projected perceptions and the on-ground realities.

I’ve been following the news a lot and from what you see on most mainstream media with their polls, endorsements, and projections, you would be easily forgiven for believing he wouldn’t stand a chance. It’s a bit frightening to reflect on how much power the media actually has to create and control a narrative…such that if you’re an outsider or a neutral, you could easily be sucked into their viewpoints.

Apparently, there are millions of people in that country who were sick and tired of the left leaning democrats and decided to vote against their policies and positions..

To be honest, even though, e no concern me personally, I had no great love for either side. There were so many issues from both candidates that I totally disagreed with and it just made for an interesting watch from a neutral perspective.

Well, that’s wrap folks. Enjoy a Donald Trump presidency for the next four years. I hope it makes a positive impact on that country and the world at large.

Dear Americans,

 It’s election season again in God’s own country (EYE ROLL!!) and oh my God!!!!, everyone and their uncles on the news channels can’t seem to stop talking about it. Yes we know you all are very important and Yes, we all know how important it is that we pay close attention to your politics because of course what would we all do without you as Americans.

Anyway, dear Americans you have the chance to do something really special today and it could go either way on the scale of something truly historic or something truly idiotic. Either way, It’s going to be a much talked about day today November 5^th.

I won’t lie sha, I’ve been engrossed in all the election shenanigans (How could you not be)..

There’s Donald Trump with his own brand of..i don’t even know how to describe it.. and Kamala Harris with her own set of issues and her appeal to certain demographics. It all makes for a riveting watch, especially with so much history and so many issues plaguing the whole thing.

Everyone recognizing Joe Biden as not being fit to run, Trump knocking the stuffing out of him at the debate in June, the hasty replacement of Kamala, Trump taking the mickey out of everyone and anyone he can, almost getting assassinated once and a second attempt later, the immigration issues that were turned into a major campaign issue from the Trump side (They’re eating the dogs, they’re eating the cats), the women reproductive rights issues that Kamala latched on to and made her own campaign beacon.

The added context of how this election affects so many issues around the world right now just underscores how important this thing is. The Russia-Ukraine war (going on close to three years now) the Israel – Hamas/Hezbollah/Iran/Houthy/Gaza/Lebanon conflict, North Korea and their own Kim Jung Un case, China steadily aiming to become World power too and so many other related world affairs… which like it or not, America is a big part of.

As with most things American, It's just been big, loud, a lot of drama and theatre. Even if you’re not interested, it makes for great watching!. Let’s see how it goes today.

Trick or Treat 2

 Some days ago it was that time of the year again when all things ghouly and spooky came back into season..

I remember talking about the Halloween craze over here last year. This year it was even bigger! Maybe it’s because I’m now working closer to people who celebrate it but somehow, it just seemed that Halloween this year was more hyped and (Dad joke incoming!!) spooktacular!.

My office people were very happy to get into the spirit (I’m on a roll with these puns) of the season and overlooking the eye rolls and side eye glances from most of us non-celebrants, went all out to decorate the office in a manner which Nollywood babalawos would be proud of.

They even put up a “best decorated Halloween desk” competition and my goodness! What did we not see! At one point, there was a sort of bloody, corpse in a body bag some one put under his desk (Fake of course),,,jeez!

The good part was all the treats which they were handing out like…sweets…(see what I did there?) and all the other celebration accouterments

Anyhoo sha… Happy Halloween to you all

Like parents, like son

 Hiya folks

How's it going …hope everyone‘s doing well and good.

So, in the middle of dressing up for work one fine autumn morning here, a couple of realizations jumped in and struck me full force in the face.

It seems like, as I get older, I’m gradually assuming most of the characteristics and subtly becoming the same people our parents were.

I'm not sure if this makes total sense, but I’ll explain as usual.

Recently, with a bit of introspection, I’ve come to identify little things that have crept in over time with my behaviour, mannerisms and characteristics. For example, over the years, I’ve gradually ditched my love of wearing inner white t-shirts and now heavily favour singlets. If you knew me during my earlier years, you wouldn’t catch me dead in a singlet but now, it’s just that same comforting feeling I have slipping it on, as when I used to see my dad who was heavy on singlets wearing.

Another example is the fact that we used to hate it when Nze would come back those days and immediately order us to switch to the news…we’d be fuming inside but now, I can’t seem to get enough of the news and I’m just the same. I wake up in the morning and the first thing I do is turn the TV on to CNN, Fox or BBC

We got a lovely dining table some months back and there was this unexplainable compelling urge for me to sit at the particular seat position my dad used to sit at back then at our family dining tables. It almost became a thing once I decreed that as my seat position when Chioma wanted to sit at that particular spot and I couldn’t explain it to her. She just had to let it go once she saw I was serious about it.

It's just lots of little weird things and mannerisms… .. The way I always use my finger to scrape the coating of egg from the mixing bowl into the frying pan after whisking it, taking time to scrape my tongue while brushing, always making sure to rub cream on my heels… all characteristics of Lolo which she unconsciously drummed into us over the years

Could also be external things…my annoyance seeing young people making noise or misbehaving, My incomprehension of the type of saggy clothing that’s all in vogue with miscreant youths here, the urge to konk silly kids here whenever I see them vaping… maybe that’s just me becoming an adult or just behaving like a Nigerian uncle true true….

Anyway, I’m just glad I had the type of role models all these behaviours are shaping after sha….Could have been much worse

 

 

New phone, who dis? Part 2

Update people!!!!!

 

So after much deliberation and not too subtle barbs from Chioma, I have bitten the proverbial bullet and gone ahead to get myself a new phone!!!

YAAAY!

I know that sometimes, it’s hard for me to enjoy spending on myself but when you eventually do it (under duress and necessity in this case) there’s that undeniable thrill about getting a new device or something really nice for yourself.

It’s a beautiful Samsung S24 FE.

Suffice to say, it’s really sleek, good looking and has tons of features which I’m yet to wrap my head around. It’s also a limited edition (FE for “Fan’s Edition”) and just to satisfy the growling of my finance minion, I got it at a very good, discounted price from the original cost. Furthermore, by pure luck and thanks to Chioma’s sleuthing, we were able to get a Samsung watch thrown into the deal for free!

Also, tech has gotten to the point where the switch from one device to another was so seamless and smooth!. This one also incorporates a lot of AI features, the cameras have better resolution and bruh..there’s so much to learn and do with it.

Totally worth it

I’m happy this is over with. Even though I miss my Note 9, (biko e don try,) let it have a deserved rest and retirement

New phone who dis?

How Okey got his groove back

A couple of days ago, I was going over some of my past posts on here and my goodness…. I realized that the amount of times I complained about lack of cash and the terrible economy numbered quite a bit. Of course, this was still back in Naija and was very understandable. There were so many things I wanted to do but no way to financially get them done

However, things have changed. Thank God for provision and growth. Even though things are still a bit shaky overall when I open my banking apps, I certainly can’t consider myself in the same position I was back then.

Now a whole set of new challenges have popped up.

How do I balance the urge to make more money and find time and ways to enjoy myself without feeling guilty about the opportunity cost or alternatives I have to forgo?

It’s weird I tell you. I’ll try to explain

Unlike in Naija, you wouldn’t need to tell me twice about going out to Bims garden with friends, , buying this item, going to ShopRite or the cinemas or generally hanging out whenever the chance and finances, presented. Here, I have to exert a conscious and intentional effort to do the basic things I’ve always enjoyed doing.

You have to be deliberate in deciding whether to hang out or buy this item or take that trip because it’s all too easy to fall into a funk and slip into a mindless routine that excludes all other activities.

 It’s been happening to me recently.

Weekday: Wake up, sneak out of room (before a certain grumpy not-a-morning-person swears for me), lay in the living room and press phone for a bit, prepare and head out to work, close in the evening and get on the bus back home, eat, watch tv with Bae, doze off in the middle of whatever we’re watching and eventually go in to sleep and cycle starts all over again

Weekend: Wake up, sneak out of room (before a certain grumpy not-a-morning-person swears for me), lay in the living room and press phone or laptop or TV for a while, catch up on calls to family, clean the house with Bae, (Go to church on Sundays) settle in to watch football till evening or go shopping depending on the week, come back, eat, watch tv with Bae, doze off in the middle of whatever we’re watching and eventually go in to sleep

The irony is that there are countless things to do and places to go but the time and desire to do these things is just not there. I’m not sure if this is an indicator of middle agedness or one of the sneaky symptoms of adulthood but at a point, it gets tiring, (at least for me)

The firm conclusion is that I have to be deliberate about getting out of this silly cycle and put myself out there a bit more. Make new white friends (Chioma mentioned one day about how it was easy for me to engage folks here and I know it’s true), start new hobbies (again, my wife has one-upped me here. She has this lovely new hobby of making resin-based artwork. Trust my bougie babe!), and even though I haven’t gotten to that point where I can comfortably say money is no object when it comes to buying things, try to enjoy life a bit more, do more online shopping (maybe), stop at a pub after work, close eye and buy tickets to go watch matches at Villa Park, Maybe engage my Nigerian neighbors Chidi and Jerry a bit more and generally, get my groove back.