Hotel Kalemi

 The paving on the streets in Gjirokastër is an interesting art form in itself.    The paving stones are either a black basalt-type rock, or a white to pink limestone.  The limestone has been polished over the years so it is very slippery; the basalt is not.  On a slope the basalt is raised maybe three-quarters of an inch above the limestone, so donkeys (and people) can get traction.

The top picture is a street and the bottom two pavement designs.  (For those who were not sure.) 

Picture two and three are our hotel room.  The house dates from the early 19th century, and is a upper middle class dwelling of the time.  Houses of this type would hold several generations, still a custom here.  The ceiling is carved pine.  Actually, this pattern is laid out in long boards with the carved portions covering the cracks and making the little squares.  The carved rosettes in the middle of each square are different colors.  The fancy center piece now has a wire hanging through it which in turn holds the lamp.

The next picture is of the end of the room.  The door has carving around it and the little cabinets are carved and painted.  It was pretty fancy.