March in Motion: Travel, Transitions, and Finding Home

Hello from Albania!

March has been a whirlwind of movement—packing, unpacking, repacking, and plenty of waiting. The first two weeks were all about settling into my new apartment in Porto, slowly turning it into a place that feels like home. But just as I started to find my rhythm, I had to hit pause and head to Tirana to wait out my visa process. That kicked off a stretch of nonstop travel, bouncing between Portugal, Albania, and the U.S., with more plane rides, hotel stays, and airport waiting areas than I care to count.

But, Albania (Tirana in particular) is full of history and things to take in right in my neighborhood:

Blloku: Where the Past Meets the Present

Blloku is a neighborhood that instantly pulls you in. Once reserved for Albania’s communist elite, it’s now the vibrant heart of Tirana, packed with stylish cafés, trendy bars, and a creative energy. Here, you can sip a strong espresso, people-watch, and feel the city’s pulse, where modern buildings stand beside remnants of the past.

Walking to Enver Hoxha’s former home, history feels heavy. Hoxha ruled Albania from 1944 to 1985, isolating the country under a strict, repressive regime. His once-guarded residence now sits quietly among the buzzing streets, a stark contrast to its past. Though closed to the public, it remains an eerie reminder of a time both distant and recent.

Postbllok Memorial

Tirana wears its history openly, and nowhere is this clearer than at Postbllok Memorial. Set near a former communist checkpoint, this small but powerful monument stands as a reminder of Albania’s dark past. Concrete bunkers, a Berlin Wall fragment, and pillars from Spac prison create a space that demands reflection, ensuring history isn’t forgotten amid Blloku’s modern buzz.

Walking through, you feel the weight of its stories. A bunker reflects the regime’s paranoia, the Berlin Wall ties Albania’s struggles to a larger fight for freedom, and Spac prison pillars stand as a stark symbol of dictatorship’s cost. It’s a brief stop, but one that lingers—a quiet tribute to resilience and change.

Between Departures and Destinations

There’s something about sitting on a plane that perfectly captures the essence of travel—the excitement of what’s ahead, the exhaustion of constant movement, and the quiet moments in between. Airports, hotel stays, long flights—it can all blur together, but each journey adds another chapter to the adventure. No matter how many times I do it, there’s always that moment, somewhere above the clouds, where I pause, breathe, and embrace the journey.

Bob Tapper: Life Abroad, a documentary travel podcast

For a more indepth look into my life abroad, you can always listen to my most recent podcasts - and don't forget to subscribe wherever you get your podcasts!

Finally...

At this point, I’m beyond ready for it all to be over. The back-and-forth, the constant packing and unpacking, the hotel stays—it’s exciting at first, but after a while, it wears on you. I’ve spent way too much time at airports, but I feel like I’ve perfected the art of passing time in transit.

Through it all, one thing keeps me going: the thought of finally settling down in Porto. No more flights, no more temporary stays—just the simple pleasure of being in my own space, making it mine, and actually enjoying the city without a departure date looming over me.

Thank you so much for following me and reading this. I really appreciate each and every one of you!

ACTOR // FILMMAKER // TRAVEL BLOGGER

Bob Tapper

actorbobtapper@gmail.com

www.bobtapper.com

Outside US: +01 9494846275

Inside US: (949) 484-6275