Life in Tirana has been very comfortable because, as much as this life looks like a highlight reel sometimes, it’s still just that—life. But, we have also managed to sneak in some adventure and culture in between our everyday routine.
We took a field trip to BUNK’ART 1. It isn’t just a museum—it’s a massive underground bunker built during Albania’s communist era under Enver Hoxha. At the time, there was a deep fear of foreign invasion, and hundreds of thousands of bunkers were constructed across the country. This particular one was designed to protect government officials and withstand a nuclear attack.
Walking through it is… surreal. Long concrete corridors. Cold, heavy doors. Rooms that feel frozen in time. And then layered into all of that is the museum itself—telling the story of Albania during those years: isolation, control, and the realities of life under a dictatorship. It was a powerful reminder of how different life can look depending on where—and when—you are in the world.
After the bunker, we headed up the mountain on the Dajti Ekspres Cable Car. We floated above the landscape, watching the city stretch out below. At the top, we found a playground and puppies! There is definitely more to do on top of the mountain in the summer, but we still had a lovely day up there.
We also got to experience Dita e Verës—“Summer Day”—and it was such a fun, vibrant celebration. There was live music, arts and crafts booths, people everywhere, and that kind of energy you can’t really replicate. It felt like the whole community came out to welcome the changing season together.
Even while moving around the world, the kids are still… kids. They’ve been diving into art, trying new activities, and keeping active in all kinds of ways—rock climbing, weightlifting, ping pong—you name it. Henry has been really into chess lately and has plenty of people to play with. He also found his way to a trampoline park, and Lucas and Henry conquered an escape room with friends. Vicki took the little kids to check out Duff. They even have a Krusty Burger.
One of the coolest moments recently was being invited to participate in an art exhibit through their art school, Start Art Studio. The program itself was mostly in Albanian, and the average age of their students is young—but that didn’t take away from the experience at all. We got to see their artwork displayed, and Jake and Gabe even performed. Albian kids love Billie Eilish.
It hasn’t all been big outings and events. The dads have managed to sneak out for some pool nights (because some traditions travel well), and Michael recently picked up a pair of glasses that he’s pretty excited about—one of those small, random finds that somehow becomes part of the story. We also celebrated St. Patrick’s Day at an Irish pub here in Tirana, because — why not?
Of course, it hasn’t all been smooth. A gnarly virus has made its way through our crew, reminding us that this lifestyle doesn’t come with immunity from the everyday stuff. There have been slower days, more rest, and a little less exploring than usual. And that’s part of it too. Because no matter where you are in the world, life still happens.
Even with the ups and downs, we’re still enjoying our time in Albania. There’s something about this place—the energy, the people, the mix of history and modern life—that’s made it feel special to us. Albania has been a good reminder of why we chose this life: Not just for the big adventures, but for everything in between.
