Nothing Happened in Budapest
We went to Budapest without looking for a story. Somewhere between tiny bronze statues, a sleeping red panda, and a pile of piglets, I realized maybe that was the story.
The Flamingo Revolution
A protest in Tirana becomes something more than a political gathering. Beneath flags, flamingo signs, and the echo of thousands of hands clapping in unison, The Flamingo Revolution reflects on wild places, public voice, and the disorienting feeling of watching protest become hopeful again.
The Accidental Sanctuary
Thousands of people have marched to protect this stretch of Albania’s coastline. But before I could understand the protests, I had to understand the place itself. What I found was a landscape shaped by empires, transformed by isolation, and slowly reclaimed by natureāwhere abandoned bunkers, migratory birds, and centuries of history now exist side by side.
Six Months, Five Countries, Three Continents
We left the United States with no itinerary, no deadlines, and no clear destination beyond Rome. Six months later, after crossing three continents and five countries, we’ve discovered that the most valuable lessons of travel have little to do with the places themselves and everything to do with the people, moments, and perspectives found along the way.
What Some Donāt Notice
What happens when life finally slows down? Through street dogs, wildlife at Tirana Lake, and the overlooked rhythms of daily life in Albania, this story reflects on observation, simplicity, and learning to notice what most people walk past.
North of Tirana
In the mountains north of Tirana, a search for the elusive Balkan lynx led us through the mining town of Bulqizƫ, into snow, fog, and wild terrain, and toward an unexpected friendship that became just as meaningful as the animal we hoped to find.
Until It Struck
It started as a perfect moment. Still water, a hunting pelican, everything in rhythm. And then it broke. Not with noise, but with something far more familiar.
Lions and Tigers and Bearsā¦ Next Door
The roar of lions carries across our neighborhood in Tirana almost every morning. Curious to meet the animals responsible, Jess and I spent an afternoon exploring the Tirana Zoo ā an experience filled with wildlife encounters, muddy misadventures, and a few unexpected lessons about conservation.
Albanian Lakes and Mountains ā Lake Bovilla & Gamti Mountain
For $22 round trip, we expected a simple day trip. Instead, Albania delivered roaring waterfalls, brutal climbs, surreal turquoise water, and two deeply skeptical construction-site puppies. Lake Bovilla and Gamti Mountain proved that the best adventures often begin with mild suffering and end with unforgettable views.
Welcome to Tirana
In Tirana, a deeply rooted idea called Besa shapes daily life ā a quiet understanding that honor, integrity, and kindness are not optional. The result is a city that feels remarkably at ease.