I struck out on my own for a two week vacation away from Tunisia at the end of the winter academic term. The original plan was to go to Albania and see what happened. It ended up being three weeks including Albania, Kosovo, Greece, and Italy including a visit to Pope John Paul II’s body and attending the pope’s funeral. I came back to Tunisia after three weeks carrying a bag full of dirty clothes, my limit of duty free wine and spirits, and a new Albanian haircut which is destined to be the Next Big Thing in Tunisia.
Albania Part 1 – On a spur-of-the-moment decision, I bought a plane ticket to Albania. Two days later I was enjoying the high life in Vlora, one of the southern cities of Albania. The further I dove into the country, the more hospitality I found.
Greece – On a whim I mentioned to my Albanian mother and father that I would like to go to Greece. The next thing I knew I found myself sharing a private taxi on the way to Athens with my Albanian Grandparent’s cardiologist.
Kosovo – As we drove to Kosovo I realized that I had fallen in the company of the intellectual and academic elite of Albania. I was traveling with seven Albanian professors to a conference in Kosovo on the state of the Kosovar environment and the economic and environmental impacts of solid waste.
Albania Part 2 – Returning to Albania I took a tour of the southern city of Sarande. Greek and Roman ruins, and a deep cold water spring greeted me. A quick visit to Durres was arranged before I boarded an aircraft for Italy.
Italy Part 1 – I was on my way back from Albania to Tunisia on April 6, 2005. The pope had just died a few days before. I had a connection in the Rome airport to get to Tunisia. I decided on a whim to change my ticket to go to Rome for a few days and see what was up at the Vatican. Little did I know what a crazy time I’d have.
Italy Part 2 – On my way to a restaurant near Vatican City I crossed the wrong street. Before I knew it, I was picked up by pilgrims and whisked into the line waiting to see the dead Pope. I was trapped and had no choice but to experience the Pope laid out in the Vatican.
Italian Graffiti – Throughout Rome I encountered the most interesting and politically blunt graffiti I had yet seen on my travels. I attempted to capture as many of the best images as possible.