On Albanian border, taxis with four legs
SARANDE, Albania (Reuters) – Passengers just off the Greek bus at the unfinished border crossing with Albania stare in disbelief when led to a donkey with a taxi sign tied to its head. Impoverished Albanian villagers have started a donkey-taxi service at the new Qafe Bote crossing to help travelers negotiate the 2.5-km mountain path between the two countries, charging two euros for a ride. «During weekends and holidays people come loaded with luggage. On those days I make six runs,» said Avni Mullai, 50, a former farm worker. But business is expected to dry up once a nearby road linking the two countries is finished. [Donkeys and mules are frequently used by Albanian rackets to smuggle drugs, contraband cigarettes and weapons into Greece.]
