Inside the North Korea of Europe (Albania)

[@josieliftsthings]

With no account fees or hidden fees, get a WISE card here: wi.se/josieliftsthings for your first transfer fee free up to £500! Thank you to WISE for sponsoring this video, it truely helps me tell more stories like this. 🤍

[@joannegordon471]

I had absolutely no idea. I admire how you are providing people from these countries an opportunity to speak their truth and share their experiences whilst educating the world. Thank you. Amazing video.

[@josieliftsthings]

Thank you so much! 🙏 This is exactly why I do what I do! 🥹 Thank you so much for your support, I appreciate it so much right now! 🤍

[@D.H.Alb.24]

As Albanian 🇦🇱 watching this made me so emotional, even though I wasn't born during the regime, I have heard plenty of stories from people around me who have experienced all that. The consequences of that time, still affect us today, leaving an open wound in people's hearts. Thank you so much making a video about this topic and I love the style of your videos. ❤ I hope your channel grows more because you guys deserve it.

[@josieliftsthings]

I’m really happy you enjoyed this! We loved our time in Albania. The people are so incredible.

[@lindita19]

As an albanian, this video made me cry. Thank you for visiting albania and truly getting to know the albanian people and their experience. 💗 your narration was beautiful

[@tamsynbrown]

I wish you were a famous documenter ! You are so good and i can picture you on tv, great voiceovers and amazing footage of crazy experiences! Its interesting and educational the whole way though ❤

[@louiseharty]

I had no idea about Albanias past. Thank you for opening my eyes. I intend to visit Albania hopefully next year but I will see it differently now. They seem so friendly.

[@josieliftsthings]

Thank you for watching! They are such lovely people, they really stood out to us when we went there. I’m so glad I could give you a different view before your trip. You’ll love it 🤍🤍🥰

[@ThekingReda01]

How the hell this documentary has only 8k views ???? You deserve millions !! Big up to both of you guys and much love to both of you from Kingdom of Morocco 🇲🇦 Love you guys 🫶🏻

[@josieliftsthings]

Love this. Needed to hear this today, it’s a little disappointing with the views, I love this video. It’s a change of content style for me and KZbin isn’t really showing it to the right people it seems who actually like it. Thanks so much for your support and for commenting, it really helps. Thanks so much 🤍🤍🙏🙏

[@ThekingReda01]

@@josieliftsthings with big pleasure, we need this kind of content more often cause all the social media goes through the worse with the stupidity and stupid contents, but YOU, you guys are so awesome and you’re really an inspiration for me, keep going and keep fighting, your day will come ASAP, just never give up, NEVER !!

[@TraceyD-vg3vv]

Thank you for showing what life was and is like in this country most people don't know much about, (especially in our country, Australia). Just a couple of weeks ago I watched a KZbin doco on the same country, with a very similar angle from a much more well resourced and supported KZbin doco maker and I think your coverage was more insightful and sincere. Last year I travelled to Central Asia and it has been quite a revelation to learn about the influence and legacy of the Soviet Union alongside the mixed feelings of the people who experienced the transition as the USSR broke up in the early 1990s. Ultimately, you can't ignore the resilience of people doing whatever they can to get meaning our of life, whatever their circumstances. And we should take the advice not to complain and really appreciate what we've got. We could also take a lesson on hospitality from people in this part of the world.

[@CherryJuli]

I’m from East Germany and the history is quite similar. The sentiment of the people suffering from the regime but also suffering afterwards is very relatable.

[@josieliftsthings]

I can only imagine.. Thank you for sharing. 🤍

[@zulubob5824]

I sure hope you gave Elton a great tip. What wonderful information and translations you got from him!

[@SarahMcCusker-b6e]

Very much liking your new direction, Josie. Travel vloggers these days are pretty much all the same and go to to all the same places but your videos are great ❤

[@josieliftsthings]

Thank you! I feel the same. It means a lot to hear that you enjoyed it! 🥹🤍🙏

[@sobienz]

Them Balkans and their talent for getting tourists drunk on homemade Rakija 😂 I was in Bosnia and lived in Slovenia, and girl, I feel you. I haven’t touched a drink since leaving Slovenia-my body is still recovering 😂😂😂 Your best video so far imo! Loved every second and now I moved Albania up on my text go to list, have to check out your tour guide, never seen such a friendly spirit. Cheers!

[@xyg6543]

I've been four times now and this country just fascinates me more and more. Great video, you covered the history very well.

[@josieliftsthings]

Thank you very much! I absolutely loved Albania - I don’t blame you for going 4 times! I would go back 100%, one of the most underrated places for me! Thanks for watching ☺️🥰

[@eene4es]

I love the style of this documentary! It just feels so authentic, i love how you not only highlight the history and the past of the place but also the people. It really lets the viewers see the world through a different perspective, even tho its through the screen. Keep up the good work!!

[@christinalaw7006]

Amazing video! Another well produced mini documentary. I was oblivious, had no idea. Thank you for 'opening my eyes' to the world, the history and people's stories within it. Great job - so interestingly presented too. Thank you!

[@dannybclarke]

Wow this video was amazing. One of my faves you have done. I went to Albania - Tirana, Gjirokaster and Sarande earlier this year and had no idea about the history till I went. It’s fascinating and I learnt even more watching this video. Good work! x

[@philosopherlady434]

Love your style of reporting it's very personal and unbiased, so refreshing

[@josieliftsthings]

Thank you! That’s exactly what I aim for. Thanks so much for watching 🥹🤍

[@1024specialkay]

The amount of work you pour into your main channel visible is definitely visible!!! Love following the chill vibe in your vlogs but also love learning more serious subjects in your main video!

[@Hysa88]

As an swede married to an albanian from tirana i realy loved this clip. My husbend also liked it and said it realy feelt like talking to his father. My husbend was born in 91 and have alot of stories about the communism time.

[@josieliftsthings]

❤️❤️

[@PetaNewman]

I have just recently come across your KZbin channel and to say im impressed is an understatement!! I cant get enough of your docos. Ive binged your channel for the past 2 days. I had no idea of the Albanian history let alone the dictatorship regime they lived unrer in my lifetime. Im usually not the ignorant one in the room but boy do i reel like it rn. Thanks for educating me on this and several other videos also. Oh and i love the fact that you actually read and reply to your subs. It really does make a huge difference. Like youre just another me 😊

[@leisahegarty1021]

I love your approach to some hard topics and raising awareness to stories we would otherwise never hear. You tell these people’s stories so respectfully with genuine respect and honesty. Thank you

[@josieliftsthings]

This makes my heart so happy. Thank you so much for this comment. This is my entire aim and goal. Thank you for watching 🤍

[@christinalaw7006]

Seriously well documented and presented, in your usual respectful manner! Thank you.

[@josieliftsthings]

Thank you, this was a really amazing one to create. Thank you for watching! 🙏🥹

[@tocatchafif6993]

I am so inspired by your ability to just jump into a new situation, attempt new languages, etc. I LOVE travel but have a lot of social anxiety so that’s very impressive to me!

[@christinalaw7006]

I had to watch this a 2nd and then a 3rd time. Great job. Thanks for your time/effort/money in sharing this story with us.

[@CarrieChenTravel]

I met you in Tirana, and I’m so glad you uploaded this video!❤

[@josieliftsthings]

Thank you! 🥹 That makes me so happy to hear you enjoyed it! 🙏

[@AbbyandGaz]

Great video Josie! What a story, genuinely had no idea. You captured it so well 🙌🏻

[@onlyleavingfootprints]

I really enjoyed this episode. Thank you Josie and Michael for educating us about Albania 🇦🇱 I had no idea this had happened in this country.

[@josieliftsthings]

Thank you so much! Love that you loved this one. Thank you for commenting on this episode, as always, love the support. Thank you 😊🤍

[@johannablomqvist5888]

What a beautiful video ❤ I feel ashamed not knowing how awful it was in Albania living under Hoxha. Of course in school we read about the dictator, but hearing stories from the people makes me realise how little I know. Thank you for visiting Albania and bringing the country up on the radar and giving it the attention it deserves.

[@derbart07]

Wow what a great video! Amazing story, adventure and history all in one! 🙏

[@josieliftsthings]

THANK YOUUUU! Appreciate this so much. Thank you for watching 😁☺️☺️😁😁

[@natashachan7078]

this is documented and narrated so well !!! good job josie

[@manojvm]

Wow! This is really interesting.

[@josieliftsthings]

Thank you so very much! 🙏 I appreciate this so much. Thank you for your generosity 🥰

[@clashrocker]

Hi Josie, a fellow Aussie who is happy to see you’ve travelled to Albania. My fiancée and I travelled to Tirana/ Shkoder/Berat and Gjirokaster back in 2010. I have had a fascination with Albania since I was a young kid, who used to listen to Radio Tirana blast communist propaganda over the radio waves at the end of the Cold War. It has changed so much over the years since and even since we visited there 13 years ago. Bunkart wasn’t open and neither was the House of Leaves (Sigurimi’s HQ). Would love to go back there again very soon and it’s certainly one of my favourite places I’ve been. Gezuar e Pershendetje!

[@bl3wb]

I appreciate that the Albanian people didn’t destroy all relics from this time but embraced it as part of their past and how to move forward from the atrocities committed during the regime.

[@nienkeappels9060]

Omg I couldn’t stop watching!!! And I learned so much 😱 I thought as an European travel lover I knew quite a lot about the different countries.. well they will not teach you this in Dutch (high)school I can tell.

[@bl3wb]

I just found your “big” channel a few months ago and your “small” channel shortly after. Love both vibes, but these videos on the big channel are top tier 💯

[@Kylelongwest]

Amazing documentary Josie, i love the way Elton describe how we take freedom for granted, while others may not have seen what that's like.

[@stephenc9985]

What an amazing informative video. I had no idea of this. Makes you think about how lucky we are in Australia

[@andreashelton]

Love this channel so much. Love your other channel too but this channel is amazing.

[@josieliftsthings]

You are so kind - Thank you as always andrea! 🙏

[@goinggoing.backback]

Love that you’ve found all these ways to express all the sides of what interests you! Have been watching all the videos but on the tv, which makes commenting a bit of a mission to comment.

[@anneeeafc]

Very interesting video! Well done! I learned a lot and was touched by the kind people 💓

[@josieliftsthings]

Glad you enjoyed it! They were absolutely beautiful people in our experience. 🥰🥰😁

[@SoManyAnchors1]

I learnt so much in this video! Awesome video Josie and Michael!

[@josieliftsthings]

Thank you so much! 🥹 I love this one - one of my personal favorites! thank you!

[@juliemcsweeney6230]

I had no idea about Albania. It's very important to learn about history and what shouldn't be repeated.

[@TheTerkzzz]

Looking at Belarus atm.. Curious how the history made Albanian mafia such a big deal now.. Very cool people you met who really explained very nicely the feelings and emotions during and after. Albania is known as a destination to visit in my country for sure. But there is unfortunately a bad stamp which is carried with the nationality aswell across Europe. 🙃🙂 Wishing the best for Albanians ☺️🇪🇪 Love raki aswell ☺️

[@chrisgeorge651]

Very good video, love the story telling Please do more videos like this.

[@josieliftsthings]

Thank you! Will do! More on the way. Pop on the notification bell if you haven’t already - the next one is possibly my favorite. Hope you like it when it comes out 🙏☺️

[@eliass4291]

Your videos are so well made!! Love them

[@josieliftsthings]

Thank you so much! 🤍 I really appreciate it 🥹

[@lucy.loves.travel]

Wow! What an awesome edit. Love your content. Just gets better every upload! Looking forward to the next one ❤

[@josieliftsthings]

Thank you so much! Really appreciate you saying that! 🥹🤍 Thanks always Lucy 🤍🤍

[@carichaos1651]

Your Vlogumentaries are VERY insightful. I appreciate your work. 💯🖤🤘🏻

[@kuyamendz]

It's really sad to realize that oppression happens in most countries usually inflicted by foreign power . . . like SPAIN, U.S., and JAPAN here in the Philippines . . . and what's even depressing is that the OPPRESSOR is actually one of your own countrymen like Enver of Albania . . .

[@sam_7_4_14]

"The country was very isolated, now it opened up, but we're all alone now." That hit soooo hard! The whole episode, man I was not prepared for this at all. Not gonna forget about this one for a long time. Love the journalist style Josie & Michael, you're amazing! Also, W Elton!

[@travelwithus-family]

Amazing story telling Josie. I never knew any of this,how sad 😢 I am loving this new format ❤

[@josieliftsthings]

Thank you! So glad you are enjoying it. This means so so much to me. Thank you so much for leaving this comment. 🤍

[@misstara9838]

Josie, Thank you for sharing this story, I did not understand Albania’s challenges. I not understand why so many have left they country. What beautiful people.

[@LynetteLayton]

Thank you for keeping us updated on so many countries. I travel through you. Keep showing us the world 🌎😊

[@josieliftsthings]

Thank you! So glad you feel like you're travelling with me! 🙏 Let’s see some more 🥰🌎

[@ter1413]

Wow! I watched your vid on the RLD last week and now this one today! Both were so well done! Bravo and keep them coming...you really have a great way of presenting!

[@josieliftsthings]

Thank you so much! 🙏 It means a lot to hear you enjoyed both! I appreciate this so much 🤍

[@Janelle-2]

LOVED this video. I had no idea this was part of Albania's history.

[@josieliftsthings]

Thank you!!! So glad you loved it and that you learned something! Thank you 🥰😁

[@chiwiartist]

From a travelling blogger to a civil doco producer

[@josieliftsthings]

Best. Comment. Ever 🥹🥹🥹

[@ianluscombe]

Fantastic documentary. I had no idea about Albania so it was great to learn some of its history. 48% looked like fun

[@josieliftsthings]

Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks so much - Albania was so underrated for me, it was a great place to travel to and I’d go back for sure! Glad you love the video. Thanks for watching ☺️

[@thaiscottishfamily]

Incredible how much goes on in the world or went on that we know absolutely nothing about! Thank you for educating me

[@tinamarie00-u7h]

Besides the history, the scenery is beautiful 🥰💕.

[@josieliftsthings]

Totally agreed. Beautiful country

[@beatrizcascelli]

Thank you for sharing such an incredible content!

[@josieliftsthings]

What an amazing compliment. Thank you so much 🥹🤍

[@PaintAlongWithSkye]

This was a wonderful video

[@josieliftsthings]

Thank you! I'm glad you liked it! ❤️

[@TabithaGamlin]

Once again you've given us fascinating and informative look into the lives of other people. I knew very little about this regime.❤

[@markbanham5011]

Welcome back to Europe(ish) you two. Let the hangovers commence. 😂 Great video. Not enough people know about Albania.

[@maryziggy8802]

I watched news programmes about Albania many years ago. The thing that hit me most was the lack of mechanical machinery on the land. It has stuck with me for years. So interesting to see this update from the country

[@josieliftsthings]

Glad you liked the video! Very interesting that you’ve delved into the country through news in the past! Love that. That is very interesting! Thanks for watching ☺️

[@michaelhodgson9081]

Very Interesting vlogg😊

[@somebodythatiusetoknow2027]

As someone who lives in Europe, never knew about this country’s dictatorship history!

[@georgialonergan]

I had no idea about the history of Albania, thank you for sharing this story.

[@josieliftsthings]

You're welcome! I'm glad you found it interesting. Thank you for watching!!

[@Jessicaaaaaaaa]

i literally had no idea that this was happening in my lifetime. Wow.

[@josieliftsthings]

Isn’t it crazy? I had no idea it happened. Thanks for watching 🤍

[@becforeverpixels]

Great vlog Josie and mike ;)

[@josieliftsthings]

Thanks for watching! 🙏🏼 😊😁😁

[@nanizs3255]

Love from Sri Lanka 🇱🇰❤️

[@wolfboy98]

this is your best content so far.make more :)

[@josieliftsthings]

Thank you thank you thank you 😭🥹 There is more coming!

[@Pranita2000]

Appreciate your hard work❤

[@Priyantochakma19]

Hi Jossie I always support ur channel congratulations on 1 m🎉🎉 subscribers

[@josieliftsthings]

Thank you! 😊 Thanks so much for watching!

[@johnbooth5237]

So interesting about the hospitality of the people considering what they went through 🧐

[@gfxrebel410]

Awesome' video, good job guys' love these though provoking stories you do. 👍🏼👏🏼

[@anpeeters9916]

I was surprised that when I visited Albania except for the bunkers there was not much left of reminders the Sovjet union. What I also found interesting was that do to religion being band during that time people that follow any kind of religion nowadays are not so extreme so all the religion live peacefully among each other and are very tolerant of each other. Which I found really beautiful. The people there are really friendly and it is truly a beautiful country nature wise as well. It’s well worth a visit in my opinion.

[@ToroNito]

Thank you for your lovely comment! Just a side note, Albania was never part of USSR. Whats remarkable is that historically Albanians have been more accepting or tolerant to other people's religions. Even post Ottoman Empire when countries were forming their national identities, most would identify by religion. Example: if you were a muslym you were a Turk, and if you were an Orthodox you were a Greek, not accepting each other even say they were mulsym Greeks, hence the population exhange that took place between Greece and Turkey based on religion alone. For Albanians, it didn't matter whether you were a Catholic, Muslym or Orthodox, each and everyone was still an Albanian and equally accepted. So this to say that its not just because of Enver Hoxha regime, its more a cultural thing. Kosovo Albanians did not go through the Hoxha regime, but are equally tolerant when it comes to religion.

[@anpeeters9916]

That’s Very interesting! I didn’t know that. The people in Kosovo were very nice too. Although I found them a little bit more religious and strict. But thank you for sharing :) I like to learn these things :)

[@ToroNito]

@@anpeeters9916 thank you for visiting us! You are always welcome!

[@wheres.michael]

Those guys got me so drunk

[@nienkeappels9060]

Now I understand why Josie said: somehow we have been drinking so much in Europe. This explains a lot 🤣

[@derbart07]

@@wheres.michael 😅 not easy to recover from that when you are no longer 21!

[@mark_g_95]

Michael-Mhill/Mikel in Albanian! Not Muhammad.

[@D.H.Alb.24]

Exactly. Muhammad is more of an Arabic name, not Albanian one. ​@@mark_g_95

[@abc_cba]

I have travelled to Albania, Lovely people ❤️ I dont care about governments, every government is the same everywhere.

[@josieliftsthings]

The people were absolutely amazing in Albania. Really stood out to us!

[@deepavidya]

Love this Josie! Very eye opening.

[@EvaluateL]

amazing video! why does this tour guide speak English so fluently?is he a professional one?

[@jeandrumm5025]

Really good video! I learned so much from your video. Thank you!

[@isabellafaithb]

had no idea thanks for the education ❤

[@nicola546]

How incredible it is that so much camaraderie remains amongst people, despite the amount of paranoia that were instilled in them. Mass manipulation, with no connection to the outside world. This is terrifying, not able to trust anyone. Thank you for this amazingly eye opening video, Josie & Michael

[@josieliftsthings]

Isn’t it just?! Absolutely unfathomable. Thanks so much for watching and listening to their stories 🤍🤍

[@ziontours5893]

Excellent exposition.

[@lahola3265]

Hi Josie and Michael, Long time viewer first time commenter. I very much enjoyed your video I did not know any of this about Albania. The style threw me off a bit there as it was noticeably different compared to previous ones on this channel and Josie vlogs things. I hope that this goes well and keep up the great work as always. Gavin from Newcastle.

[@alexandraandrews1241]

Very similar experiences in Romania during communism. 😢

[@Siddharthbaghelwastaken]

bro this needs views

[@mark_g_95]

I was lucky i was still not Born, but im sorry for the people who lived that time😢

[@swagatron9477]

Our baby he's under one. When we lay him down to change him (changing table beside tv) your videos are normally playing at night, he loses his mind over them. Smiles and smiles.

[@Jacob4058]

Amazing Josie

[@jihui8829]

Love ur video Josie! Just one small thing: it's Kim Jong Il (i-l), not Kim Jong second, though it is pretty reasonable when u think about it lol

[@lucy.loves.travel]

I just had a flashback of travelling with Traveller's cheques! That's how old I am! 😂

[@josieliftsthings]

DONT REMIND ME 😭😂 I don’t want to think about how much things have changed or else I have to remember how old I’m getting lmao 🤣

[@calliegisclair8415]

7:39 they was forced to wail or they would get killed they had to be dramatic or die it’s crazy

[@josieliftsthings]

Yeah, similar to Albania - most houses were audio bugged, so people pretended to cry in their homes when Hoxha died (as his wife took over for 6 more years) If you ever go, you can read the transcripts of many of the people who were bugged

[@Tinro_Vabalti]

28:07 Furry Angels!

[@becforeverpixels]

Hope you make it to beautiful Macedonia

[@josieliftsthings]

It’s on my list!!! 😁

[@becforeverpixels]

@@josieliftsthings OOhhh Amazing!!

[@mantvydasmantvydelis6145]

If you heard a country "Transnistria" which exist between Mongolia and Ukraine borders. This will be the second European country of north korea. The difference. Transnistria doesn't exist on the map.

[@josieliftsthings]

Would love to go there! I don’t know if I’d say it’s like North Korea though - Albania for 40 years was a hermit state, much like North Korea, and there was no foreign media allowed. Not even able to wear blue jeans for example, because it was deemed a threat to like American culture - transnistria you can turn up at the border and just go in, and they have access to the outside worlds internet etc.

[@kealee6350]

Is Albania an old soviet union states?? The past really brutal and sad story.

[@josieliftsthings]

No, it’s not - that’s what made it such a deadly regime - it was an enemy of basically everyone, and paranoia led to them shutting their borders and all communication with the outside. They had no allies, and everyone was the enemy - but nobody really cared enough to invade them… just the leadership had cut off all outside contact, so he was able to tell them that the world wanted to invade them and get everyone on his side. Anyone who disagreed… was disappeared.

[@leothebear4842]

It’s so strange that under communism, people are more connected, wonder if perceived equality is the case.

[@dunkierookie970]

I'm sensing you are moving away from the usual sryle of travel vlogs which is a dime a dozen. Good job and hope you will amass a niche group of audience real soon.

[@josieliftsthings]

Thank you thank you thank you. This is the vision and the path - thanks so much for noticing. Really glad you like it. I hope others do like my new videos eventually too 🥰🙏

[@andreashelton]

👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏

[@josieliftsthings]

Thank you Andrea 🤍🤍🤍🤍

[@H4WL3YWOOD69]

The north Korea of Europe is so outdated. Sence the fall of communism on 1990 Albania has undergone dramatic transformation. It still has problems with corruption and organized crime. Using outdated and potentially offensive labels can be perpetuate harmful stereotypes. Just plz be careful saying that there we know you mean no offense what so ever but theres people that could just take it exstreamly wrong. Keep up the awsome videos stay safe good luck on future journeys 👌✌️

[@josieliftsthings]

It’s not offensive or a stereotype as the video is literally about that time in history. If it was a tourism video about Albania now, sure, but it clearly isn’t. Glad you enjoyed the video ☺️