Algeria-What a country!
I knew a lot about Algeria before I went but I was still amazed at the landscape of the country. It has mountains, lakes, green pastures, the sun, the sea and an immense desert. They even have snow in some parts. Also the history is incredible from roman ruins to ancient towns which are still virtually impact.
Most Algerians are Muslims which is where they get their generous nature from. Here, if you ask for directions you will get them with a guide and an invitation for coffee or cous cous at their house. They will even offer you a place to stay – all for free… for real, no strings attached. This is not a country that begs. We traveled through a large part of the country by public transportation and in the whole time I think I saw 3 beggers.
And yes it is true that Arabs seem to like big blondes – I have never been stared at by so many people in my whole life but not in a creepy way and they were very respectful when I was with my husband (next time I will go alone! hahhha).
We spent some time in a small town called Sedrata – women are still not permitted in the cafes. Now there are some that will read this and say “You are a woman and you think that is okay – we have rights blah, blah, blah” but I see it as no different from Quebec when women were not permitted in taverns…and it wasn’t that long ago. That didn’t bother me either – I would just go to another restaurant/bar that alllowed women.
I was the only tourist in that small town – people guessed that I was the wife of Abdel because he had moved to Canada. I was followed once when I went the market with my sister-in-law but I think he was just curious. I was never afraid when I was in Algeria even at night – there are always so many people in the streets.
We traveled to Alger the capital, and Ghardiai in the desert, Annaba and Constantine and many other wonderful places including Rouffi’s Balconies which is an ancient settlement built into the cliffs of a valley. Here we had a guide that was born there take us hiking through this valley to see the ancient structure. It takes your breath away as you walk through the oasis on the valley floor and marvel and how they could have built these houses so many years ago. And it cost nothing to visit …. another great thing Algeria is extremely cheap to travel in – food, lodging, attractions – everything is cheap. I mean really cheap – a whole day here will cost you less than a meal in Paris …
The bad things … Algerians are the worst drivers in the world basically because they are free to do what they want – passing on both sides is normal and they often make 3 lanes out of two. I felt safer driving in the buses than in a car but even then some of the bus drivers are dare devils too. The other thing that I hated was the turkish toilet – a bloody hole in the ground which takes awhile to get the hang of … believe me … the first day I thought I was going to explode when I finally gave in and went …. but later I found places that had English toilets and would literally go and visit those peole on a daily basis to use their toilets … yes they knew and thought it was quite funny but by the way I am pretty sure Turkish toilets is the reason that Arabs turn into terrorists…. hahhha…. just kidding …
Most Algerians speak French although Arabic is the main language but some will even break out some English when they meet a tourist. Learning a few key Arabic words will bring smiles to the Algerians faces. You will learn that they thank God for everything (humdullah) and for anything that they want or will do they ask for God’s will (Inshallah) so if someone says I hope that I will see you again you answer Inshallah meaning God willing we will see each other again.
Go and see Algeria for yourself and you will be pleasantly surprised at the people and their generousity and how beautiful the country is.
Tags: cheap, transportation, Travel
chantalbunnett
Really interesting article, not too many people travel to Algeria! Ha, you made me laugh with the terrorist comment! Actually, you’d be surprised at how you get used to those Turkish toilets (ie. squat toilets), and, without getting too graphic, I had some of my best shits in that position – I dunno, maybe straightens out the intestines somewhat (ie. get’s the shit out of those intestinal folds, really cleans you out). Ok, maybe I was too graphic.
You should get into more detail about the different places you went, sure people would be interested!
Keep up the good writing!
Frank
I am French and immigrated to Algeria 20 years ago.
Algeria is an amazing country and very beautiful. When the French first landed in Algeria they were surprise how open the Algerian were. In that time women can go to bars and but during that time women in the west were kept at home and not allowed to sit in cafes and bars, these places were for men only. Algeria was the first wine producer in the world after the roman (I get embarrassed when I hear misconception of Muslim from the English speaking world, a lot of Muslim drink alcohol and they’ve been doing for thousand of years)
The Anglo-Saxon see Muslim as terrorist, and the Muslim see the Christians as Child and baby rapist ( we like to stereotype each other) but there is good and bad in each society.
I am also embarrassed to hear comments : ” they thank God for everything (humdullah) and for anything that they want or will do they ask for God’s will (Inshallah)”
It’s not true, Humdullah is thanking and inshallah means hope so, would like too, will do my best.
The Anglo-Saxon use the expression “Jesus”, “Christ” a lot, when they see something beautiful, when they are annoyed, when they are surprised, etc.. IT DOES NOT MEAN THAT THE CHRISTIANS FOR EVERYTHING THEY WANT, DO, THEY ASK FOR GOD, AND DOES NOT MEAN THAT THE CHRISTIAN ARE PRAYING ALL THE TIME!
Chantal responded with:
The comment about Humdullah and Inshallah was meant in a good way – I think it is wonderful that Muslims do that – it is true that Christians say Christ and Jesus but we tend to say it when we are mad and not to thank.
Then you say it isn’t true what the words mean but yet you repeat it …It’s not true, Humdullah is thanking and inshallah means hope so, would like too, will do my best.
Anyway thanks for your comments et vive l’Agerie.
Thank you chantal for your response.
I have an American friend and I can assure you that he says “thank god” when he wants to thank something.
This comment is not in response to you Chantal, but to many comments I read previously the western comments etc, and as a French citizen living in Algeria I truly feel embarrassed by the high ignorance.
For a long time the French have misinformed on Algeria. The Anglo-Saxon with US are perceived as ignorant by most of the world, because we’ve been brain washed for a long time and look stupid to the rest of the world when we comments about Islam culture.
When we see Muslims drinking and girls with short skirt, we say that they’re westernised, but trough Arab history, Arab drunk alcohol, girls wear short skirts (belly dancing come from the Arabs where Arab women hardly worn any clothing). Arab countries were always multicultural where Muslim, Christians and Jew mixed all together, and where women can freely wear short skirts or cover themselves with no problem.
Arafat’s wife is a Palestinian Catholic and he accompanies his wife to church at all opportunities. During Saddam era the Iraq foreign minister Tariq Aziz is a Christian, the Palestinian Parliament president and Spokeswoman HANNAN(most respected woman in Palestine) is a Christian, The Moroccan foreign Minister is a Jew. Many very high ranking in the Algerian government are Christians. If a Muslim Lebanon President is elected, by law he’s to elect a Christian Prime Minister and vice-versa.
We in the West like to shout loud about how advanced and multicultural we are but sadly we still lack far behind our Muslim friends.
When our President can marry a Muslim woman without prejudice, or elect a Muslim person in a high profile position in a Christian country, etc, that time we can be proud of engaging ourself in true multiculturalism.
I am usually embarrassed and surprised at the level of ignorance of the Arab World by the Anglo-Saxon world. Just for your information Algeria is the first wine producer in the world after the Romans, it will help if we know a bit about the Arab culture, for example read about Abu Nawas and Al-Rubaiyat
Your trip sounds fantastic! I am hoping to visit Algeria also in April, and would like to know what were your favorite place was. . an if you can recommend a place to stay in Algiers!
Sorry I didnt respond sooner – I haven’t been on in a long time – my husband has relatives all over Algeria so we really didnt stay in many hotels and the ones we did were not high standards but they were all clean and safe.
If you can when you are there, hop on a bus and head for Ghardaïa in the desert (see info from Wikipedia below) It is one of the coolest places I have ever been. Constantine is def. worth seeing too and ALgers – all of it – the history is incredible and the people are wonderful – have fun!
Ghardaïa is the capital city of Ghardaïa Province, Algeria. It is located in northern-central Algeria in the Sahara Desert and lies along the left bank of the Wadi Mzab. The M’zab valley in the Ghardaïa Province (Wilaya) was inscribed under the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1982, as a cultural property evaluated under the criteria II ( for its settlement having an impact on urban planning even to the present century), III (for its Ibadi cultural values), and V (a settlement culture which has prevailed to the present century).[1][2]
Ghardaïa is part of a pentapolis, a hilltop city amongst four others, built almost a thousand years ago, and founded by the Mozabites a Muslim Ibadi sect (non-Arabic Muslims, including the Berbers) in the M’Zab valley.[3][4] It is a major centre of date production and the manufacture of rugs and cloths.[5] Divided into three walled sectors, it is a fortified town. At the centre is the historical Mʾzabite area, with a pyramid-style mosque and an arcaded square.[6] Distinctive white, pink, and red houses, made of sand, clay and gypsum,[7] rise in terraces and arcades.[6] In her 1963 book, La force des choses the French existentialist philosopher Simone de Beauvoir described Ghardaia as “a Cubist painting beautifully constructed”.[7]
Pretty nice post. I just stumbled upon your blog and wanted to say that I have truly enjoyed browsing your blog posts. In any case I’ll be subscribing to your feed and I hope you write again soon!
Thank you. I have written in a long while but will hopefully start again soon