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