Experience Albania: Travel, Pictures, History, Culture

It’s a phrase as common as “Hello” or  “How are you?”
And it means “It’s very, very hot.”
I drink at least a liter of water by 9AM and wouldn’t mind an ice bath by 11. 
My arms and face are especially brown and I have pronounced tan lines on my feet from the two pairs of shoes I usually wear.
I now know the meaning of heat, the power of getting up early to avoid the heat, and the need to get indoors and of the sun from about noon until 5PM.
Those afternoon hours are unbelievable, and sticky, but bearable.
There’s no air conditioning, except for a few cafes and restaurants, but there is my room, nice and cool because it’s on the first floor of my family’s house.  And there are fans and cold showers and the sheer acceptance that sometimes you’re going to sit and sweat.
 Also, lucky for me, “Ka vap” is a great conversation starter.  Whether I’m meeting relatives, a store owner, a waiter, or running into someone at the bazar, say the magic - and very true - words and the rest follows. 
I would also like to add that the heat makes my sense of fashion non existent. 
For example … I inherited a pink, linen moo-moo (spelling? maybe it’s mumu?) from one of my host aunts.  Sent to her from a cousin in Greece, it was a little too big for her 5’4’‘ (rough estimate) frame. 
And so, being the tall American girl I am, was fortunate enough to be next in line, to wear it in all its glory and benefit from such an ingenious fabric.
By all means, a very comfortable, practical dress for this weather.  With its lose, Little Home on the Prairie appeal.  I actually felt semi cool (no pun intended, trust me) walking around in it one day last week.
Yes, one day and one day only.
After a heart-to-heart with someone and a few telling opinions, I think it’s best I wear it as a “house dress” and keep it indoors.
If that doesn’t keep you on your toes for a photo, not sure what will?!
Lesson Learned: There comes a point when a Minnesotan girl looks back to appreciate those cooler summer days and gets used to real heat!