Toilet Paper and Traffic

This week there is not a lot of news except the snow that has cripple the country in the mountain regions. The mountain areas of course received much more snow that we did here and many people are without the basic necessities of life. Many deaths have occurred because of roads, harsh conditions, and asphyxiation. Airlifts of food were made to some, but we continue to have employees who can not make work.

But now for some fun thing. I have talked a lot about the markets. Shopping is an experience like no other. I always wondered who would buy food from Amazon.com, well now I know! Toilet paper is amazing. I know why they kiss cheek to cheek here. They do not have toilet paper in most restrooms. Then there is no soap or paper towels to clean with afterward. I would not want to shake hands either! If you find toilet paper (yes you can buy it) it is interesting. It come in 3 basic varieties, too thin, to stiff and not perforated. We choose the not perforated and have become quite adept at tearing paper. Now don't get the wrong idea, there is some ordinary paper but it is not the norm!

Then there is traffic to get to market. There is 2-3 million people who live here in Algiers. There are an equal number of people who drive. Streets are crowded. There are no sidewalks. But the biggest thing is there are NO STOP SIGNS OR TRAFFIC LIGHTS! It is orchestrated chaos! There are no lines on the road so there are no real lanes, they merge and maneuver and appear to cut people off but there is no road rage and they are polite, they use their turn signal before cutting in!!!! Street signs consist of no parking, and they alternate the side to the street you may park on based on the day of the month. Now just imagine your city or town without and traffic controls. Yikes! You would have to see it to believe it. Needless to say I have no desire to drive and will let my feet and motor pool do the rest.

Another week

I realize several weeks have passed and I have not written. I'm sure that means I am settling into some type of routine. Well I am attempting to learn how to navigate the bureaucracy. It is a daily challange. These are the pictures from our mountain trip last week end.

These are a few pictures that I took in the Atlas Mountains above  Blida. They parallel the Mediterranean coast and on the other side is the Sahara Desert. We spent the day exploring with our armed guarded escorts. 



Enjoyed the view from the cable car.

 Strolling through the wood on the mountain. If you look on the right in front you will see one of our local police guards. They carry large guns and escort us everywhere we go. Interesting way to hike!

This was the scene Feb 3, 2012. It had sleeted most of the day before but overnight it turned to snow. It was lovely! This is a path that I walk sometimes on my way to work. The palm trees were all laden with the weight of the snow.

Barcelona Spain



The science museum

It was escape weekend for us to Spain.

What a marvelous city.

Barcelona was diverse, interesting and refreshing.



Wayne in the Gothic District



The Arch of Triump

Inside the Sagrada Familia Basilica

Our Breakfast Spot with leg of ham

LIFE

This has been a good and busy week. Most important is the newest grand baby Khloe. She made here appearance January 3, 2012. She was 7 lbs 5 oz and she and mom (and family) are doing well. It was exciting to have frequent Skye updates but not the same as being there.

We are proud and can't wait to to see her in person and hold her.






I was hoping to report that work was becoming routine this week and that I was getting the hang of it but alas that is not the case. After arriving at the office the morning Khloe was born I received a call of someone having a heart attack in the embassy. I grabbed my meager "go" bag and off I went.
Working fast and furious with CPR and a AED another life was saved. Then the learning began. After 17+ years on an ambulance I had the ride of my life on the local ambulance. I attempted to continue to direct care while on a wild ride through the streets with my patient not even strapped to a stretcher, and unable to speak the local language. The local ER was not American standards or even anywhere near them. My patient needed to be med evaced to London. Approximately 24 hours later I was on a medical flight to London with a patient who was grateful to be alive!
London was cold, rainy and crowded just the way I left it in November.
Two lives in one 24 hour period is far from routine!

BONNE ANNEE

HAPPY NEW YEAR
Wayne and I rang in 2012 with CNN in Nashville on AFN. We missed the Algerian start of the year but we were up for the celebration in Nashville. It seemed appropriate.
This week we visited the Casbah which is the historic district here. It is the oldest section of the city and unique. It was established in the Phoenician times based on 4 islands off the coast. The islands are gone but as the city developed up the hill much of it remains. There is an intricate web of walkways between the buildings lined with homes and shops. It was not until the French invaded that streets became common. It was an interesting outing and we were accompanied by heavy security. We later had a multiple course lunch in someones home.
Since I have not included pictures in several weeks I will spare you any further ramblings and just use pictures:



Typical middle class apartment in Algiers

Algerian prison

The start of the Casbah. Part of the remaining wall that fortified the city.

Narrow paths through the buildings

View from the upper Casbah to the Sea

Some of the groceries we buy milk is not refrigerated. Once opened you must keep it cold.

Vinegar, corn and diet Coke. Most have French and Arabic writing

Notre-Dame D'Afrique
Christmas mass in French

MERRY CHRISTMAS

Today is Christmas eve and as good Americans we spent the morning shopping! Here in Algeria they do not celebrate Christmas because less than 1% of the population is Christian. But the store was crowded and the mall was decorated with lighted palms and presents so it was a reminder of season. I have talked about shopping in other posts so today we went far across town to the local mall. Yes it truly was a mall with clothing stores, home stores, and tv and appliances. There is also the Algerian big box store Uno. It has everything under one roof, including meat, fruits, veggies, baked goods, and other groceries. It has a good variety but none of the charm and for those who know me, big box stores are not my thing.
I also had a cooking lesson this week. I learned to make couscous. The local varieties are not prepared like American couscous. It is steamed, not once but twice and hand managed to keep it from clumping. It was yummy!
I have to say that we miss everyone, this is a time for friends and family and Skype is our connection. Thank goodness. I hope all have a very bleased holiday. Happy Noel.

AMERICA

I know that as an American I have taken many things for granted. Yes, I have given occasional thought to how wonderful my freedom and how great my country, but I have never thought about it in the ways I do now. Think of your last vacation. Wow what fun, but you were ready to return to the comforts of home. The small things you miss when you are away. When I think of America and home now it is odd items I miss. I can not buy saltines. You would think saltines are universal but they are not. In fact here there is no substitute. A sliced loaf of bread is not found just anywhere. And please do not want anything but white bread. The bakery has lots of bread, but not what we commonly use. If you get there early you have a pretty good selection of baguettes. Then there is snack food. French fries are everywhere, They are generally soggy and they put them on baguettes for sandwiches and they tell me they even eat them on pizza. I wouldn't know we only eat homemade pizza without pepperoni or sausage. (No pork here) They appear to have alot of packaged cookie type foods but few snack chips. You can find a few potato chips but give me Doritos any day. Now here is my week spot. Not much compares to a Doritos. So then the question...what price are you willing to pay for that comfort food of home? We have a small commissary here which imports some speciality items and chips are a big seller. Chips are my weekly purchase. (and I spend alot on one bag) but to me it is a small slice of home and Americana!