Hey there,

Hope this Saturday finds you well and you enjoyed my last email on the Portugal Trip.

I wanted to share some interesting things from my recent visit to Albania. In the middle of my trip to Portugal, I actually went to Albania for 3 days. Why? A friend of mine there runs a spiritual community and they invited me to do a workshop there on relationships and communication. ( And you'll see why in a moment.)

It was a short trip but pretty eventful, including a special moment in a park with a picture of a piece of The Berlin Wall. Yes, thee Berlin wall! (Look for the graffiti in the photos - link here & below.) That was a humbling experience being there. Oh and there was also an old war bunker fully preserved from the cold war. And thankfully, there was a stopover in Bologna, Italy! I always feel settled and relaxed in Italy - maybe something in my DNA connects to it and makes me feel 'home.' :-)

The weird thing about Albania is that it was honestly the first country I did not "feel welcome." It was a strange feeling and one that took me a while to process.

I didn't realize it until later... But I think the country's consciousness is just so vastly different from what we're used to in the Western World here... But to be fair, they did just come out of communism only 30 years ago. So the consciousness hasn't exactly 'warmed up' if you will. I think they're still reeling from the cold war and the 'coldness of communism' if that term coincides well... I think it does.

The people just didn't feel truly warm. It wasn't really a warm place. Its not tropical, but I'm not talking about the weather, no... But the feeling that people gave off... And I noticed that communication was a major opportunity in the culture.

I witnessed and overheard such abrasive, aggressive, loud, intimidating communication styles between family members and married couples, that it really took me by surprise. And I'm Italian! So you'd think It would have no effect on me. But it was different here. It was almost viscerally physical in its intimidation...

I witnessed several men and women openly fight with pilots, air hostesses, customer service staff and people at the gate on both flights there and on the way back. I think its just in their nature - in their consciousness for now. Its a part of their culture. And culture is such an interesting thing... The root word is 'cult' after all.

Anyway, after visiting over 20 countries in my lifetime, I can honestly say, this was the first country I truly didn't "feel the love" as they say, or just plain ol' feel welcome there.

But "different strokes for different folks" as they say! It could have been just me. And the truth is, in all my travels, I've learned that every city, province, and country all have their own cultures and consciousnesses. In other words, that could have been exclusive to just that city - the capital - Tirana.

The trip wasn't all bad though by any means! The workshop was a big success and it was interesting to hike and see some parts of this... part of the world.

There was a gorgeous forest filled park in the day time that had shops and cafes and bars all throughout with beautiful patios overlooking the water in the daytime. Then there was the most interesting red light and 'don't walk' crosswalk light I've ever seen. And more Rich Dad, Poor Dad Books! (I've seen his books in at least 8 countries, in at least 5 different languages!)

Here's the link to the google drive folder with photos here. I hope they inspire you to your next trip abroad. And yes, I still have some spots available for the beta testers on the "Is It Time To Move Course?"

Check that out here.

Until next traveling adventure... Be well.

Michael