Transitioning from Montenegro, we’ve arrived in Shkoder, Albania. To get here we had a two-hour bus ride from Kotor to the border town of Ulcinj, Montenegro. Then, we traveled from Ulcinj to the Albanian city of Shkoder.
It is fascinating to watch the pace of life here in the semi-rural neighborhood where our guesthouse is located. Vintage cars, as well as luxury ones, whiz by horse-drawn carts. And in the morning and late afternoon, we can hear the clip clop of horses’ hooves on the road just outside our homestay’s courtyard, as a farmer commutes.
Tricia A. Mitchell is a freelance writer and photographer. Born in Europe but raised in the United States, she has lived in Valletta, Malta; Heidelberg, Germany; and Split, Croatia. An avid globetrotter who has visited more than 65 countries, she has a penchant for off-season travel. Tricia has learned that travel’s greatest gift is not sightseeing, rather it is the interactions with people. Some of her most memorable experiences have been sharing a bottle of champagne with distant French cousins in Lorraine, learning how to milk goats in a sleepy Bulgarian village, and ringing in the Vietnamese New Year with a Hanoi family. She welcomes any opportunity to practice French and German, and she loves delving into a place’s history and artisanal food scene.
A former education administrator and training specialist, Tricia has a bachelor’s degree in elementary education and a master’s degree in international relations. She and her husband, Shawn, married in the ruins of a snowy German castle. They’ve been known to escape winter by basing themselves in coastal Croatia or Southeast Asia.
Her writing has appeared in Fodor’s Travel, Frommer’s, and International Living.
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17 thoughts on “Photo du Jour: Commuting by Horse-Drawn Cart – Shkoder, Albania”
Sometimes I think that pace of life would be good for everyone. Tricia, I love the detail in your photos and I’ve learned a lot about taking photos for my blog from seeing yours. Thanks.
Carol, I agree that a slower pace is to be admired. I loved seeing our homestay hosts’ vegetable garden and orchard, in particular. As pretty as it is, though, it takes so much work to maintain. Given that the family produces about 90% of what they eat, it’s essential though.
Finally, thanks for your nice comment about my pictures. I’m glad that we can all inspire each other in some way.
And, after reading your blog for a year now, I have only just today read your About page. You have the most amazing story and write beautifully. What an inspiration! ps your wedding photos are stunning.
It is fascinating watching the varied paces of life there, Juliann! I’ll be curious to see how the country evolves in the coming years, as tourism numbers increase.
Thanks, Gerard. It was a perfect way of getting the shot spontaneously, without putting a camera in the driver’s face. :) So tough to get their okay as they’re driving along!
Travels With Tricia 
Sometimes I think that pace of life would be good for everyone. Tricia, I love the detail in your photos and I’ve learned a lot about taking photos for my blog from seeing yours. Thanks.
Carol, I agree that a slower pace is to be admired. I loved seeing our homestay hosts’ vegetable garden and orchard, in particular. As pretty as it is, though, it takes so much work to maintain. Given that the family produces about 90% of what they eat, it’s essential though.
Finally, thanks for your nice comment about my pictures. I’m glad that we can all inspire each other in some way.
And, after reading your blog for a year now, I have only just today read your About page. You have the most amazing story and write beautifully. What an inspiration! ps your wedding photos are stunning.
Carol, all such kind compliments; thank you very, very much.
We were lucky to be married in a beautiful setting, on a day Mother Nature gifted us with lots of snow, and we had a very talented photographer. :)
Beautiful photograph, well supported by a brief but descriptive passage.
Thank you, Umashankar. I appreciated the late afternoon light and shadow in that scene, as I experienced it. :)
Albania is a place I’d never think to visit, but looks like I need to add to my lists of places to go. How quaint!
It is fascinating watching the varied paces of life there, Juliann! I’ll be curious to see how the country evolves in the coming years, as tourism numbers increase.
That’s a nice picture!
Thanks, Gerard. It was a perfect way of getting the shot spontaneously, without putting a camera in the driver’s face. :) So tough to get their okay as they’re driving along!
Tricia, I nominated your blog for a Very Inspiring Blogger Award! Please feel no obligation to respond, but just know that your blog is admired and enjoyed. You can read about your nomination in my post: http://travelgardeneat.com/2013/05/01/blowin-in-the-wind-or-where-do-all-the-bloggers-go/
Kat, I’m really flattered by your recognition. Many thanks! I’m off to discover the other nominees. Thank you again. :)