THE SAHARA

Timmimoun Algeria was our destination for Thanksgiving. A group of us decided the desert was calling and this was the perfect opportunity. It was a fabulous trip complete with good food, good friends and camel rides to the dunes.



Thanksgiving Dinner

One of the many beautiful views of the area. All the palm trees are irrigated from water piped from natural underground wells.

Tea in the desert before sunset

Sunset

 

Watch out for these!

Wayne and I both rode but he is not in the picture

 

Palma de Malorca Spain

 When you need a quick get away from Algeria, there is a small island off the coast of Spain that is an easy hop from here. Mallorca Spain is a beautiful island of beaches and mountains and old towns that grow oranges, olives and produce inexpensive wines.   This old trains travels through the mountains to a small town of Soller Spain. You go through tunnel after tunnel to pass through the mountain, a great adventure

Church and cloister house located on the sea coast. It is truly impressive to visit.

Castle where the last king of Palma once resided and then became a prison.

SECRETARY CLINTON RETURNS

Meet and greet with the staff in the embassy

What would you do in Algiers if you had a four day weekend coming up? Most embassy employees look forward to these events. After all we are not far from Europe and relaxation. We work a Sunday through Thursday work week. That means we are always confused when talking to our US counterparts because your Monday is actually the second day of the work week in our mind. Hence we have Friday (on Thursday). I realize this may be confusing. So on Tuesday late evening when every one knows we are on a short work week and Wednesday will end our week, we get the call. Secretary Clinton will be arriving on Monday. The scramble was on. Trips were canceled, late nights began and plans set into motion. On the morning of the event we gathered at the embassy at 2:30 am to prepare for her arrival. Many had not even been to bed.
I climbed into the motorcade at 3:30 and proceeded to the airport. I had been moved up in rank this event, I was in the extra limo (actually the BMW she used last time) and the 3rd car in the motorcade just in front of her. On the previous visit I was last in a large suburban sedan. I was also with her private secretary when we moved. Great insight into Sec. Clinton. Wayne even boarder her plane in the course of his duties.
Now here we are, exhausted but on another three day week end for which we have no real plans but to rest.
 

ITALY

This month we had a short vacation. It was much needed and appreciated. We met with family and spent nine days in Italy. Brooke, Art and Pat joined us to tour Rome, Florence (Tuscany) and Venice. I could have stayed much longer. Drinking good wine, eating pizza and pasta, and walking seeing the sites. We had a wonderful time.

Roman ruins

Rome with all it's ancient ruins, Tuscany with it's wines, Florence with art and Venice with its waterways. We saws a gamut of lifestyles in our travels. We witnessed weddings in Rome and a funeral boat in Venice. Italians eat breakfast standing and dinner is several hours. It was a country of contrasts.

Back here in Algiers security remains but we can now go to the store and walk to work again.

Work remains work.

Brooke and Wayne consulting the map



Clean, fresh open markets in the neighborhoods of Rome

The property where we stayed in Tuscany. Vineyards and olive groves.


 

 Water is the only means of transportation on Venice. The taxi, fire department, ambulance, and even the funeral hearse travel by water. there is no vehicle traffic on the island of Venice.

Hearse

 

Safe and Secure

For anyone with a TV you know that north Africa and all Arab nations have been having riots. Cultural lines were crossed when a film and later a cartoon depicting the prophet Mohammad appeared. The Islamic law forbids any type depiction of the prophet. It is very different than Christianity where pictures of Jesus abound.
Four Foreign Services officers are now dead and a terrorist cell has called for the death of our ambassador and other diplomats. Here at the embassy security has tightened. We are not completely home bound but our movements are restricted and heavily fraught with security efforts.
The maps you see on television show a gap in violence in Algeria. The Algerian government has made great effort to assure our safety and that of other westerners. There have been demonstrations but they were quickly dispelled by police. Demonstrators were blocked from the front of our embassy. All of this has been reassuring but tension and stress are pervasive.
With all that being said, Wayne and I are doing well and missing the USA.
We took a trip earlier in the month (before the violence) to a town called Tipaza here in Algeria. It is a seaside town with extensive roman ruins. the scenery was spectacular and the seafood tasty.

Arab beachwear

Enjoying the sea

This is one of the many remaining ruins from the early 100-400 AD. The town was built on three hillsides, with the remains of churches, cemeteries, baths, theatre and amphitheatres.  Much legend surrounds the ancient times about Christianity. 

 

Arches of the great basilica

The tomb of Juba I and Cleopatra Selene II
This tomb is from 100 BC

 

TRAVELS

We have managed to get away for a short trip in August. The religious period of Ramadan ends with the celebration of El ul Fitr. Muslims have prayed and fasted for 30 days and they conclude with a celebration. This means a holiday for us government workers, So Wayne and I escaped to a town in southern France called Aix en Provence. For those who are geographically challenged it is near Marseilles France. The town is full of old buildings mostly 16th and 17th century, sidewalk cafes, street markets, fountains and good food. It was a refreshing change of pace even if we could not always communicate. We do not drive here in Algeria so street signs are not a problem but we rented a small car and drove the French countryside. To say the least is was challenging! "X" as it is commonly referred to is the home of the painter Paul Cezanne. He is noted for his paintings of the mountain Sainte Victoire. It is a stunning mountain that rises up and dominates the scene outside of town.
We also traveled to the coastal town of Cassis, an ancient fishing port famous for its cliffs (falaises) an its sheltered inlets known as the calanques. Both are beautiful. And what trip to France is complete without visiting a winery or two for a tasting. Mountains and vineyards and olive groves abound.
It was relaxing and refreshing.

Fountains abound in Aix. Many are quite old and stories of people using them for various reasons. The large fountain above is the center of town and it is the Cours Mirabeau. Shopping and sidewalk cafes abound

 

 

 

 

 

 

a view to the town hall and public
square

 

Vineyards abound, the area is famous
for their various blends.

 Need a toilet? For a Euro or two you have access to the street corner toilet. This is one of the main intersections in town. Handy huh!

Cassis France the sea is beautiful
and
crystal clear

INDEPENDENCE DAY

July 4th. Independence day. A day of back yard barbecues, friends and family. The great American holiday. In the past we have always had a July 4th party. Hot dogs, hamburgers, apple pie, fireworks and a day off work, but I have to say this year had new meaning. Seldom did I really consider the meaning of Independence day. Yes you know it is about gaining our independence from England and became our own county, but we also gained freedom. As I celebrated the 4th with other Americans here in Algiers doing typical American things I had the profound sense of the freedoms Americans have that many in the world do not have. As I watched America's fireworks on TV and saw our military being honored I had chill bumps. They fight for our freedoms! We just enjoy freedom without much regard.

July 5th was Algeria's Independence day. Fifty years ago they gained their independence from France but not their freedom. The people in this county are part of a government that although they say are a democracy, it is not our democracy. The government is oppressive and difficult and life here in Algeria is hard. Twenty -five percent unemployment, minimal free enterprise, and banks that charge people to put money in them. I don't claim to understand how their government works but it is not about freedom.

I did do some sight seeing and shopping over the long week-end. We had planed a small trip out of country but some US congressmen and their wives wanted to come shopping that weekend so all leave was canceled.

Monument of the Martyrs for the unknown lost in the revolution

Christian church turned Mosque

Public transportation

Public transportation is interesting in Algeria. Since our hills are so step you can ride a cable car down toward the sea and then ride the metro. The metro is new, clean and efficient. Unfortunately it costs more than the bus.

Back to Work

We have been back in country for almost 2 weeks and as expected work is work. My local hire physician is on leave and I have a temporary health unit secretary, and 30 DOT drivers physicals to conduct (mostly non English speaking). That does not include all the meetings I attend to prepare for the July 4th soiree that the ambassador throws for 700 people.
Our July 4th independence day is followed by the Algerian Independence day on July 5th. The best news is it is a four day week end.
My other adventure is trying to decide where to go next. Our bidding cycle begins in August and we find out the results in November. Mostly we want to move to the Western Hemisphere. Closer to family friends. We dream of a spot on a Caribbean island where friends and family can come visit. Not likely to happen but the dream is good.
No pictures this week but I'll keep my eye out for some good ones.

A visit to the USA

Wayne and I recently returned to our post here in Algiers after a fun filled R&R in the good ole USA. At first when I arrived I was overwelmed with the complexity and variety of everything. Yes it has only been 6 months but I was adjusting to how we shop and the limited products available. It was short lived but noticible. Of course I could read menus and so I knew what I was ordering, and I could ask questions and know I would recieve an answer I would understand, and I enjoyed pork almost daily. (so much for my cholesterol).
We spent time with our children and had slumber parties with our grandchildren. I visited with friends whom I miss, and did not have near enough time with. We invaded my daughter for the long week end including her aunt and uncle from Ohio. But alas all things come to an end  and we are back in Africa.

  Shoppping with the girls



Part of the Gang

hiking

TRAVELS

 It has been a hectic few weeks. Here is Algeria we have extra holidays associated with their country and so on a recent holiday we traveled to the mountains above Algiers to the Tibhirine monastery. The monastery is no longer inhabited by monks but Catholic Mass is said there frequently. It is seeped in tragic history from the recent reign of terrorism in this country.

In 1996 terrorists kidnapped the monks and although the details of their eventual demise is uncertain they were killed and beheaded. They are buried on the grounds near the orchards that they tended. The views are quite spectacular and the jam that is produced quite good.

The walls of the Medina

Then there was the recent week we spent in Morocco while I did some training. We traveled to Rabat, Casablanca and then south to Marrakesh. We enjoyed local the open feel of a county that is friendlier to Americans. The hustle and bustle of the city is ever present. Rabat is much more laided back. Rabat is the capital city.

The Mausoleum of Mohammed V 

Casablanca was our next stop. It is a large noisy port city. It is hectic and dirty. We did however eat at Ricks place down near the water and watched snippets of Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman  while dining at the cafe.

We then caught the train south to Marrakesh. This is the tourist mecca for Morocco. What a ride and what a place. We bought 1st class tickets so we could have comfortable seating and air conditioning. Don't be fooled. It was hot, but the seats were comfortable.

 

Transportation is unique, a lot of horse and donkey carts. Scooters, cars, taxis, buses and camels can also be found. The Djemaa El-Fna plaza is the place to be whether shopping in the souks or browsing for spices. It is even busier at night since the temperatures are cooler.

The Koutoubia Mosque

Snake charmers were present with their cobras

And some old familiar faces

A Visit to The Sea

The view of the catholic church Notre Dame D'Afrique

Last weekend we had took a trip along the coast to a small sea port. There were many small boats and cafes which sold fresh fish. It was a fun trip and good to get out of the city and see some sights. We ate in a restaurant on the second floor looking out over the harbor. You could have your fish fried or grilled but no matter what it came with the head. I have no idea what type fish I ate only that it was tasty and fresh. We also enjoyed fresh shrimp in a spicy red sauce also complete with heads! And various fresh breads. What a feast!

It was very windy

Many small fishing boats and nets lying on the dock. This small port opens to the Mediterranean Sea.

There was no menu, only a waiter with a plate that had the various fish that was available.