In light of the heat we've been experiencing, thoughts of gliding on ice became very appealing. Not to mention, we were curious to check out this new attraction in town. We arranged with Vera to go with us to City Park after church for lunch and an afternoon of diversions. She wholeheartedly agreed so after church we walked to the center of the city where we caught a free bus to the mall. The mall indeed looked impressive. The first store we saw was "Versace Home." It was pretty empty. As were a lot of the stores. Someone told me that this mall is more like a museum -- people go and just look! Where we did find a good crowd was at the food court and children's play area.
Nathan had already looked up the restaurants on the mall's website and determined that he just HAD to try "AFC" (Albanian Fried Chicken). After all, we do herald from the state of Kentucky that has brought the world KFC. If any of you know someone at Yum! brands, they may get a kick out of some of these photos. The young worker behind the counter assured us they were a branch of the real KFC (though the small writing on all of the packaging was in Greek). Some of the items on the menu were the same (like the Twister wrap), however, last I checked at home, you can't get a Heineken with your value meal.
Ellie's "Surpriza" meal, came with an enormous (super-size) portion of french fries and about a pound of chicken tenders. Her special prize? A beaded bracelet and a large bottle of hand sanitizer! I think she got the best deal of all of us! Our food was pretty good, as it should have been for taking about 15 minutes to prepare. I guess you can thank them for making it fresh!
After lunch, Ellie visited the children's play place, a fenced in area with a variety of inflateables. It cost 250 lek (or about $2.50) for one hour of access. The only place for adults to sit and watch their kids had tables owned by the ice cream shop so we ended up spending another 480 lek on an enormous ice cream dessert which the three adults split. It was called something like "chocolate spaghetti" (see photo below). Ellie thoroughly enjoyed herself then we were off to the Slovenian-owned Hypermarket (supermarket) where we bought some party supplies for David Reni's party on Friday. The rent must be pretty high because the prices for everything were pretty steep. After all that anticipation of ice skating, we ended up not going -- too much food and a crabby Ellie made us just want to go home and nap.
On the bus I noticed that very few, if any of the other riders, carried shopping bags. We'll see how long this establishment lasts!
yes, that's Barney on one side and Sylvestor and Tweety on the other side
those are penguins the skaters are holding onto for balance
chocolate spaghetti ice cream
Albania's name in their language is "Shqiperia" which translated means "land of eagles"It just so happens that Ellie is into a major bird phase right now (we think it has to do with observing a robin's nest this spring and been re-activated by the prevalence of pigeons in our neighborhood)
2 comments:
That's pretty amazing to see in Albania. It looks like a palace. However, I also find it a bit strange, especially the ice cream spaghetti.
I too am amazed at such extravagant amendities. I am so old and uninformed that I think Europe is underdeveloped. Ellie is getting taller!! She is so pretty!! Give Reni hugs for us today. You are in our thoughts and prayers constantly.
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