Barbecue Table Runner

Betsy made us this table runner for barbecue season. Isn't it cute?

 

Watching the Detectives

This place has a lot of exhibits about the testing and use of chemical weapons in Albania - and the spying on people. They have a regular family living room set up with a spy area right next, showing how everything was bugged.

 

Friendly Neighborhood Snitch

Bunk'Art 1 is a history of the 20th century internal security apparatus of Albania. Various rooms have the early history. Lots of narrow corridors and bits of old electric spy devices dot the place. Then you get to the uniformed mannequin with the gas mask and you realize this really was a place. A scary place where they spied on everyone under Hoxha.

 

Potholders

We received these potholders made by Betsy for Christmas. Thank you! We are now using them; we were low. They are appreciated.

 

Bunk'Art 2

The little pillbox in the middle of Tirana is the entrance to an underground bunker built for bigwigs of the Hoxha regime. You go down some steps and get to the psychedelic entrance.

Pillowcases

These are more Christmas presents from Andreas' parents. They match the quilts! Finally got the photos, so posting. They're comfy too. Thank you!

 

More Bunkers

Exterior of Bunk'Art 1 again and ... bunkers in their unkempt state in a national forest just outside Tirana. These little bunkers dot the Albanian countryside everywhere.

 

There Is Art

Despite being billed as an art museum, Bunk'Art 1 has very little art. It's mainly a history museum and needs to keep that purpose. One piece we saw installed in a stairwell is this. 

 

Forced Meetings - Bunk'Art 1

Every bunker needs a place for party speeches, right? This bunker also includes a tiny food store and the latest in 1960's communist entertainment.

 

Quilt for Me

Betsy made me a quilt with a lot of Japanese fabrics! Isn't it pretty? It took me so long to post our Christmas presents because Andreas was daunted by the size for photos. I love it. Thank you.

 

Bunker Living

I would not want to have lived in this place. It's so drab and just plain miserable. But, I guess, if you're trying to avoid a chemical or nuclear strike, it's the place to be.