Albania

I went to Albania, known as Shqiperia in Albanian. It is a small country, just over 3 million people.

They absolutely love the United States there. The president, Aflred Moisiu, saw me at the drop of a hat. He is a nice man, but, no offense Alfred, the interview was about as interesting as your picture.

Albania is predominantly Muslim. There are also many Orthodox and Catholic Christians there. Mr. Moisiu is Orthodox Christian.

As a symbol of the country's long history of religious tolerance, he gave me a picture of an 18th century Orthodox icon depicting the Virgin Mary and baby Jesus flanked by two mosques. He had a larger reproduction of the icon that he was going to give George Bush.

This is the main mosque in Tirana, the capital. They practice a very mild form of Islam in Albania and most young Albanians hate it when journalists refer to the country as a Muslim nation. Religion plays about the same role in society as it does in most of Europe, which is to say it is very low key.

This odd building was built as a monument to Enver Hoxha, the fanatical Communist strongman who kept the country isolated for such a long time. It was decorated in honor of George Bush's upcoming visit.

This is Hoxha's old house, in a neighborhood long known as "the block" and previously off limits to ordinary Albanians. The neighborhood is full of bars and restaurants now. The house is kept by the government but no one lives there anymore.

In one of the main squares, entrepreneurs have lined up little battery operated cars for kids to ride on. It reminded me of China.

Another view of the mosque with the mountains faintly visible in the background. The mountains of Albania are said to be beautiful and wild. I've seen them a bit from the Kosovo side.