Every time someone from a foreign country comes to Albania one of the biggest questions asked is, “what do I need to bring?” And the question is answered probably 100 or 200 times each year by each individual host. Here’s a better idea. As you think through the answer to that question, why don’t you update this page and then refer your friend to the page. That way everybody can benefit from your thoughts and you can benefit from everybody else’s thoughts. Basically we won’t have to reinvent the wheel each time.
So with no further ado, here’s a list of things you cannot find in Albania at this time. If you are coming to Albania and need one of the things on this list you probably better bring it.
Food stuff
- marshmallows
- peanut butter (periodically available at horrendous prices)
- chocolate chips (if you’re not picky about the quality you can find it at the “oatmeal store”)
- brown sugar
- icing sugar (may be available? where?)
- flavored coffee
- Hard-to-find spices
- Extracts
- Salsa
- Big Macs & Whoppers & Krispy Kreme
- curry, sushi
Kitchen Items
- Carrot Peeler
- 9×13 pan
- Any speciality pan that you use (like muffin tins, bundt pans, etc)
- Good knives
- Good kitchen shears
Equipment & etc
- dehumidifier1
- electric blanket (if you want something between you and the mattress that can be found, but not a typical electric blanket)1
- nice artificial Christmas tree (can be obtained in Skopje, Macedonia)
- vacuum cleaner with beaters (if the beaters aren’t important to you then you can find them easily)
- duct tape
- KitchenAid (or other good quality) mixers1
1 Remember that if you bring electrical appliances from the United States they are 110 volts and 60 hertz. The electrical system here is 220 volts and 50 hertz. You WILL need a transformer. A converter works like a transformer but generally is not for long-term use because…well, they just burn out. People (especially salespeople that want you to buy an expensive export brand) will tell you that refrigerators and mixers and etc will not work on a transformer. NOT TRUE! You can find foreigners all over Albania using electric 110 volt motors on transformers. (Yes, I know a transformer doesn’t change the frequency. What can I say? It works!) Note that a UPS (uninterruptable power supply) that is made for 110 volts will probably NOT work on a transformer - leave it at home!