Independence Day

Today, of course, it was even greater. The city center was closed for the traffic. The freshly-made-boulevard was full of people, with flags, with drums, with smiley faces. Many wore the traditional hat - plis or gheg - and flags around their necks to protect them from the strong and cold wind. Picture making, singing, dancing, drinking free drinks (Peja for free!!!) and eating free sandwiches (me too - Peja and meat sandwich). The 30 metres long cake from Ben-af was excellent. I don't know what is left from it now but it will stay in many pictures and in people's memory.
The only pity was that it was so cold. It had been snowing in the night and it was all white, sunny, bright and clean - just like a fresh start should be. But the wind was so crazily cold that I had to search for a sanctuary time after time inside. As today Mother Theresa was closed drivers with flags had to take other roads. Agim Ramadani was the best showing-off place, and Bill Clinton, of course. Today people seemed even braver (or better trained) than yesterday. Sitting or even standing on the car roof was nothing special anymore. Driving next to each other and fighting with big Albanian flags like knights with spears in Medieval days was another popular entertainment today.
The Declaration of Independence was a truly moving moment and I think many and many had tears in their eyes. It took place some minutes after 3 pm local time and was accompanied by loud drums and songs outside my windows. I was at that time inside reading and watching news.
Now it is just shootings and explosions of, I hope, some of those 3000 tons of fireworks that were traded on streets. If yesterday streets looked like a big flag market, then today it looked more like a real weapons and ammunition fair.
So, I am doubting whether I should go out tonight. People are drunk, ecstatic and armed.