Tuesday, July 24, Berat, Albania

Another day, another mountain-top castle to reach.

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I found a great hostel in Berat but not till I'd botched the trip here. I got the bus out of Gjirokastra no problem. But when the bus let me off I consulted my Lonely Planet guide. At the same time I was besieged by half a dozen taxi drivers wanting to take me to Berat from where the bus had dropped me off.
I decided to walk. A kilometer down the road I stopped for lunch and learned I'd gone in the wrong direction. I had to backtrack the 1 km., then go west to Berat. I caught a city bus (25 cents) then, serendipitously fell into a fourgon (van) headed for Berat. I considered walking but decided to take the van. What I didn't know was that Berat was still 70 km east!. But my luck held out. The fourgon took me all he way for $2.50. How often have I benefited from my own stupidity. If I'd known the true distance to Berat I might have hired a taxi, which probably would have cost me $10-$15.

Hollyhocks are weeds in Albania:

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