Stalin and Lenin

After dinner with some of the GDQ staff Thursday night, Kathy (one of the staff) asked me if I was  interested in seeing Stalin and Lenin.  I responded with a resounding "Yes!"  We walked across the street and down an alley.  There behind a run-down building, standing next to an abandoned car with four flat tires, stood the statues of Joseph Stalin and Vladimir Lenin.  Figures that had been displayed with dignity and prominence in parks throughout the city as reminders of the state of Albania and the oppression that marked the four decades of communist rule now stand aboandoned   Further proof that this country is doing what it can to put behind it the grim reminders of communist oppression.  Ironically, standing behind the parking lot with the statues is the residence of Prince Leke, the current royal in residence.  He holds no political power but serves as an adviser in the government.