Walk in Silence

Travel Guide

Albania

Durres

Keira stays here and as the book opens, she’s is staying n Hotel Shkop which is quiet and cheap. There’s the occasional glow from the ships out to see, thee light is low. The aromas of the fried fish, garlic and spices emanated from the nearby restaurants. She’s read that the New York Times has listed Albania as one of the top four destinations in the world but since she’s not there on holiday, she realises she might not see that side of it.

She’s told that there are a lot of guns in Albania and that a lot of people “have holes in them” someone’s cousin is apparently called Sieve…

Pequin

A small market town just up the road and along the river Shkumbih

There’s some lovely customs to pick up in this novel such as the fact that Albanians shake their heads when they mean yes. Could be useful if you ever go there! And lots of streets don’t have names so it’s apparently difficult to be a postman!

There is a dark side – The Clan which seems to permeate every layer of Albanian life. Most people have someone they know in the clan and they run most of the judges, police, prostitute rackets – you name it they seem to run it.

Gjirokaster

It’s known as the city of the South and it’s another place Keira goes on her investigations. “ It’s a very nice place. It has a castle, a bazaar that is very old lots of coffee shops and tavernas. It is a good place to live and a good place to rest when you’re dead”