Nata e Bardhe Pictures

In late November, Albanians celebrate their Independence. This year, the two Independence days (each recognized by one of the two main political parties...) fell on a Saturday and Sunday, so this meant that (naturally!) people took off the following Monday and Tuesday (and the previous Friday) to celebrate appropriately ;) On Sunday, the main roads around the center of Tirana were blocked off to traffic and small stages were set up for various shows. The cafes and roads were packed and there were people out selling all sorts of goods (popcorn/cotton candy/beverages/cigarettes/balloons/toys...etc.)

Here are some pics of us out with Besnik early on Sunday before the crowds. Later, we went out with some friends to a cafe right in the thick of all the celebrating. Besnik met Silvana and Mondi -- they not only bought him a balloon bent into a flower, but Silvana also let him drink just about all of her grape juice through a straw. Needless to say, I walked out of the cafe without a baby and was only able to take him back when Silvana had to say goodbye :)