mister popular

Sorry for the break in trip pictures -- there are still more to come -- I just need to find some time to post them all. I wanted to share one story from this week, though, first :)

Last night, Besnik and I went to "Lulishte 1 Maj" for take-out Chinese food. This is a big complex with a Chinese restaurant on one floor and a pan-Asian/Mexican/Albania food restaurant on the bottom floor. It also has a large outside sitting area with trees, a fountain and a play area for kids. When we arrived the Chinese retaurant waiter was happy to see us (Besnik in particular). We ordered and then he let B ride on some lion statues that looked appealing. Then we went downstairs to play by the fountain while we waited for our food. B and a new friend were happily playing with bubbles when the food arrived, so I was trying to get him out of there without too much fuss.

Finally, we bid mirupafshim to the little friend and were heading out when I heard "Besnik! Besnik!" I was certain that no one was calling my Besnik, but I turned around to find the downstairs waiter running after us. He talked to B for about 5 minutes about everything from our choice in take-out food (strange) to Besnik's love of bubbles (adorable) to the weather (ominous.) Alas, we said goodbye to him and headed home.

A block down, we waved to the woman who works at another of our regular food establishments. She pleaded for B to come say hi to her, for which he was rewarded with a free biskota (cookie). THen there were kisses and a long goodbye.

Another block down, we passed a cell phone store with lots of windows and Besnik started waving all excitedly into the shop. I hadn't noticed anyone but, upon further inspection, I saw a friend of his friend Johan's waving back. She and B have played together about 2 times and not at all in the past two months, but apparently remember each other quite well.

Finally, we made it home and, even though I needed to buy bread and eggs from the shop downstairs, I decided to save that for later just to avoid further interaction with the many Besnik admirers.