After months of selling household items, shipping two pallets, and storing a dozen boxes with family — we flew overseas with our son, two small dogs, and about a dozen bags. Now we’re in a land where we can step outside our Airbnb and walk a few meters for a morning cappuccino. We’re enjoying produce with flavors as nature intended, purchased for far less, acquired from a mere stroll down the street.
But the road to get here was filled with the unexpected. Our first week, and the flight over, were a true test — and we’re more resilient because of it. I want to share the lessons we’ve learned, the mistakes we made, and the moments that surprised us.
Traveling with Small Pets (Chicago → Frankfurt → Tirane)
Chicago Airport:
If you have a connection through Chicago, find the pet relief station before trekking to your gate. We discovered ours was closer to where we’d disembarked — meaning we’d have to backtrack all the way across the terminal with carry-ons. The relief station is a tiny room with fake grass that I doubt anyone ever disinfects. I’ve smelled better in a music festival port-a-potty. Our dogs were too overwhelmed to use it, so we retraced our steps to the gate and boarded.
Frankfurt Airport:
Frankfurt doesn’t really believe in pet relief stations. You can take your pet outside the terminal, but otherwise they expect you to let them do their business right there in the airport. Pack paper towels and disinfectant wipes. Going outside meant potentially re-entering security — and our USDA certificate was meant for another country, which felt risky. We stayed inside and cleaned up.
Silver Lining:
German airport security love little pets, though. While I was scolded for my disorganized toiletries and my son moving slowly on the baggage belt, the staff were delighted by our little dogs. It was endearing to see humanity shine through the brusque veneer of diligence.
Security Surprises & Toiletry Tales
TSA in the States was typical — no issues. But German airport security clearly understands that US screening is more relaxed. Layover passengers go through security again.
I also didn’t know several toiletry rules TSA didn’t enforce, but German security did:
– Pack any slightly large toiletry in checked luggage. Even a nearly empty toothpaste tube – if the bottle is technically over-sized, they’ll toss it.
– Use clear plastic bags for toiletries, not opaque ones. Nice black toiletry bags I’d collected over a generation? They weren’t happy with these.
And then we went through security twice. Our gate for a 7-hour layover changed without warning. Monitors only showed boarding flights within the next hour; no email notification reached me because I hadn’t signed up for a certain alert type. Their app also refused to cooperate.
Tip: As soon as you land, check with an airline representative about gate changes. At Frankfurt, a changed gate can mean a journey to a far-off corner of the enormous airport — where they’ll make you go through security again.
Landing in Tirane After Midnight
Arriving near midnight was overwhelming: crowded, noisy, warm, and humid. We saw many groups of foreign college students there for an affordable getaway. Exiting was easy, but if you have many suitcases, note that luggage carts require local Lek coins. You can only purchase Lek inside Albania, so head to the exchange office in baggage claim — minimum exchange is $10, and rates weren’t as good as outside (we were told).
The exchange office outside baggage claim however was closed, and we could find no ATM machines, inside or outside.
We also couldn’t access data roaming on our Tello plan (promotional free European roaming) because we didn’t realize we needed to log into the website for our numbers and enable it. Therefore we had no way to reach our taxi driver. So we grabbed wifi at an airport cafe, met our driver, and our Tirane adventure officially began.
Hotels vs. Airbnbs: What Actually Worked
I had points for a nice hotel in Central Tirane — perfect for a soft, uncomplicated landing. However, a room confirmed for three people doesn’t guarantee three beds. Ours came with a king and a non-sofa-bed couch. We called and requested a roll-in bed, which worked nicely.
Before you get your room key – ask to review the reservation and confirm if everyone will have an appropriate bed, or whatever amenities you were expecting.
Airbnb recommendations: Ensure your host:
- Is local with a local phone number that the cab driver can use to help locate the places (crucial in Albania where addresses aren’t standard)
- Provides a video showing how to find and access the building and unit
- Includes a check-in code with confirmation
- Is responsive to messages
If they provide none of these, those are big red flags. Our first Airbnb ghosted us, leaving us stranded. Our taxi driver Ervin (who also organizes tours) became our savior, navigating Tirane’s narrow streets filled with double-parked cars like a Star Wars TIE fighter. He advocated for us assertively, rescued us, and took us under his wing far more than most American cab drivers ever would. We were happy to book further trips with his company.
Money, ATMs & Cash Culture
Many hotels, upscale restaurants, and grocery stores accept credit cards, but most smaller shops, eateries, produce markets, and bodegas are cash only.
– Try ATMs outside established banks only
– Never insert your card — machines could eat it, and replacing one from abroad is difficult
– Tap-to-pay symbols indicate working machines, but many don’t activate this feature. I tried 3-4 ATMs before finding one with a lit-up tap symbol. Relief was short-lived — it was out of cash on a Sunday night.
– Always decline conversion. Your bank handles it; you won’t pay additional fees. Sometimes the request pops up twice — decline both times.
– Use cards like Charles Schwab or Fidelity that reverse ATM fees.
Tipping Across Borders
In hotels, tip bellhops and housekeepers who help you. We were travel-shattered our first night and missed this and felt bad afterward. But in the following days they were happy with our small shows of gratitude. They may refuse at first, but really appreciate it. It doesn’t have to be much. 50 lek, 100 lek. Maybe 500 lek at the end a 4 day stay for housekeeping.
Tipping isn’t expected in Albania, but appreciated, just not at US levels. Ten percent is fine; over-tipping makes it harder for locals.
Language & Local Connections
Learn courtesy words: thank you, please, greetings, excuse me, do you speak English. It shows respect. If you can, try to learn how to order in cafes or shops. Not everyone speaks English, and this smooths transactions.
Find local expat meetups on social media. Visiting with mixed groups helps you decompress in your own language while learning history and adjustment advice.
Keep credit card receipts organized in envelopes by category: lodging, transportation, groceries, restaurants. You might not understand the receipt wording, and statements convert currencies differently. Write brief notes on the back (“phone plan,” “cab ride,” “haircut”) — sometimes the shop name isn’t clear, especially with small businesses.
Welcome to Village Life
Embrace surprise encounters with locals. Albanians are friendly, family-oriented people who love children and cute little dogs. They truly believe it takes a village. Strangers may have a brusque exterior, but underneath are incredibly warm hearts.
I’ve had strangers let their unleashed dogs jog up to greet mine, then literally scoop my chihuahua up to admire them. In America we are taught to have reserve regarding personal space and especially other people’s dogs – so this was learning curve – but their genuine affection is contagious.
When I was buying large water bottles with my college-aged son, an Albanian grandpa playfully stepped in, admonishing him in Albanian with what I assume was “help your poor mother out and carry these big bottles.” He gestured that carrying them would make my son big and strong. Everyone laughed warm heartedly, including myself.
Welcome these moments. Go with the flow. These are the building blocks for connecting with your new community.
What Resilience Looks Like
Week one tested us: airport chaos, gate changes, and stranded moments. But we also found hospitality, humor, and unexpected kindness. We’re excited to be here. Still figuring it out. Somehow, already feeling at home.