The Essay

It's the mid-1990s, Albania is in turmoil after decades of communist isolation. Drawn by the mystery of a country she knows little about, Joanna Robertson sets off to go and live there. In a used car and with only essential equipment, all bought with a business loan thanks to an understanding bank manager, she buys a one-way boat ticket for a place that she only has second-hand knowledge of, gleaned from an almost-empty Albanian shop in London's Covent Garden and exiles in a Soho coffee shop. Presenter: Joanna Robertson Producer: Arlene GregoriusPhoto: 'Theth - waiting for transport’ by Stan Sherer from the book, ‘Long Life to Your Children!'