Bus took 50 minutes to reach Tirana and dropped near the Railway Station. It took me a few minutes to understand my bearing and then walked to the hostel Albania in 30 minutes. Lira, the owner was there. She phoned for a taxi to go to Pogradec mini Bus Station. She would also phone for a bed in the Hostel. I paid 500 Lek for the taxi and reached in time when a mini bus was about to leave. In fact this bus was going further to Korce but will pass through Pogradec turn on lake Ohrid. The whole journey was picturesque and nice.
There were green hills covered with trees and the mini bus was going up and down, swiftly passing one hill to other. Air was quite pleasant. There were 12 passengers in the bus. Some got down in between. Bus stopped once for coffee or lunch break and I preferred to have lemonade.
At Pogradec, all passengers got down and there was not for Korce where it was going. There was another hosteller, a girl from USA. Later she told her name as Laura. We got down at the right place and the hostel was 5 minutes walk.
This hostel has started recently and furnishing is still going on. Someone has hired this building to run it as a hostel. There was a woman working and looking after the hostel. She is still sleeping from last night’s full moon party but listening to Anuksha Shanker’s Sitar on computer. She is fond of India and thinks she has some connection to India. Rooms are still not ready on 2nd floor. There is one room on 1st floor with 2 bunk beds and I opted for this room. Bathroom is just adjacent and one is on the 2nd floor. Laura went out. There is a Canadian girl too. I didn’t know she is staying or checking out. I worked on the internet for some time and then came out. Woman in the hostel has given me a city map.
5.30 p.m.: I am sitting and writing on a bench in front of lake Ohrid. There are Beach shops, restaurants and some people walking. Nothing much activity like Adriatic, sea coast at Durres last night. This lake is very famous and is a UNESCO heritage. The border to Macedonia is 20 minutes by taxi and then by on foot and get a taxi from other side to Ohrid town. I phoned Robert of Macedonian YHA. He asked me to come to the scout headquarter and the manager will do the needful for my one day stay there.
There are many old people playing some game in different groups. When I was taking their picture, one old man did not like. The other group was more than willing to take their picture. One person told me to take care of my camera. There were many Romas here stealing small items.
It is cloudy now and I felt some raindrops. In fact when I came in the afternoon that it would be nice to watch rain near the lake, it was a clear sky that time. Now the dark clouds are above me and it is pleasant weather.
6.45 p.m.: I will go to the hostel after having my dinner. I just now drank a peg of Reaki (Brandy) which is not strong as yesterday or before. Outside temperature as shown on a building in front is 23⁰ C. All clouds have gone and sky is clear again. Beach is still empty. There are a few more tourists here. Now I am planning to go to the market and find out tomorrow’s programme.
Beach slowly filled up with people and make shift shops. I just sat on a bench and only watched. It was relaxing. I went round the restaurants. Some grills are there but still not feeling hungry. I don’t know why. Then I decided to eat vegetarian sandwich which should be good for me. Slight amount of meat filled up my stomach quickly.
I came back to the hostel and found there was no electric current in the room. Also the woman working here told me that there is no breakfast because the hostel has not started fully. But they have advertised breakfast is inclusive of prices. I did not want to argue. The woman gave me and the US girl -Laura some local brandy to drink. Then I went to sleep quickly.
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