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.

An Algerian Wedding

 The weeks are going by and slowly I am navigating the confusing waters of bureaucracy. Of course there are many waves along the way that are rough! I am amazingly busy but rarely see my accomplishments. This week my evaluation is due, and I have to write it myself! Boasting about yourself is crazy!
In the last few weeks, patients have come and gone, visitors too, and terrorist cells have taken over the county to the south of us. Just an ordinary week.
Easter is this weekend. I have yet to see any bunnies. Maybe some chocolate eggs will appear.

Mother and Bride

What I did do was go to an Algerian wedding. As in the US, all weddings differ based on many factors. This was a mix of Berber and Algerian culture and I can not explain what that means. Although many similarities exist between an American wedding and the one I attended there were some striking differences! The most noted difference is the groom. He does not attend. The entire celebration is for women only. NO MEN! I am told that sometimes the groom comes at the very end but not this time. The celebration is loud music, a lot of dancing, eating wonderfully sweet cakes, socializing and seeing the bride in many different outfits. She changed clothes at least 7 times while I was there. Each outfit has a different significance. The last one is the white bridal dress we think of. With each change she emerges to a loud clicking noise by the guests to announce her arrival.






On the left is the local physician I work with wearing a traditional Algerian dress.


 The music is rock concert loud with a female announcer keeping the party going. The guests, both young and old flock to the dance floor.



Below are some dancers. The scarf is tied around the hips and you dance by shaking your booty. All ages dance this style.

The bride (on the right) in one of her many outfits escorted by her sister.

Then there is the bathroom. You have read several bathroom stories in past blogs.This one is the best so far. You have heard the stories of toilets that are simply holes in the floor. Well here it is. This is a fancy one, it has raised areas to place your feet. There is no toilet paper, and the bucket is to wash down what misses. There is a spigot on the wall. Needless to say I did not have much mint tea to drink.

Bangkok

Wayne and I spent a week in Bangkok last week. I had training for MED and he did the tourist adventure. Flying 14 + hours and jet lagged for days, I sat through courses to keep my certification. But before the conference began I did have time to do a few things. The Kings Palace was fascinating, shopping was endless and the river area was busy. Bangkok is a crowded, hot and smoggy city full of sites and smells. The streets are full of vendors selling everything from souvenirs to any food, and the smell of incense at the Buddha shrines and fish fills the air.  I have never seen the massive shopping malls and food areas with more restaurants than you could eat in a life time!

gardens at the Kings Palace

Me

Holding up the temple with the emerald Buddha

Wayne and the Buddhist Monks

A very large reclining Buddha

One of the many buildings on the palace grounds

 This statues reminds me of our little dog peanut!

More like Yoda

The boss was here or Hillary Clinton visits

Some weeks are routine, beautiful Mediterranean weather, but last week the boss came. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton spent six hours here in Algiers. I was assigned to her motorcade for the day. What a wild ride both figuratively and literally. I was at the airport for her arrival and there for the departure and all point in between. I shook her hand at the embassy and ate dinner (separate staff area) at the Algerian Palace. The day was exhausting and I can not imagine how she keeps that pace. We were stop 3 of 4 and she moves non stop. Here are a few pictures.

The vip area at the airport where she was to sit on the couch for 2.5 minutes.

Honor Guards

Secretary Clinton and the Algerian Foreign Minister

The ceiling of the reception hall

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.