Life in Algeria

[Aayesha]

Assalamualykum

I was just wondering what everyday life is like for people in Algeria.
What are people thinking , dreaming, studying and working.
I know this may sound strange, but when you live on the otherside of the world it becomes a fascination. Of course the reason why I am curious specifically about Algeria is because of my children being there.
I look forward to hearing peoples thoughts.

[mohovitch]

When I was in Algeria, I used to worry about how long it will take me to go to school or to come back home(1hour-1hour30), how many buses should I take. If it is going to be crowded....

The weather was always perfect, even when it rained, so I did not worry about that.

My dreams were either to find a good job or to leave the country...

[New_Friend]

Thanks for posting, Mohovitch! Like Aaeshya, I'm another one here always wondering, "What IS it really like in DZ??" Unfortunately, the closest I've ever gotten was the Rock of Gibraltar once when I was a little kid. Have had Algerian friends over the years, but all are those who "left." I had a pen pal once in Algeria, but I suspect her dad "disallowed" her to continue our correspondence. The letters took months from the time I got them from the postmark date.

Would love to hear more glimpses of day to day life!

As for my corner of the world, my decision of the day right now is whether or not to go out for a walk in the rain, and if so, whether to walk one lap or two laps around a small lake, and if so, which shoes or boots to wear. Or, should I just stay home and make some coffee instead as I haven't yet had any and Saturday morning is already nearly over?

[Aayesha]

Thankyou New_friend for your post. I was begining to think I was strange. I may still be,but at least there is two of us lol.
Thankyou Mohovitch for sharing with us.
Where do you live now(if it is not personal) and what if anything do you miss about Algeria?

[mohovitch]

I prefer not to talk about myself too much but I miss the family, the weather and the humour but there are good reasons why I left the country.

[UmmHaraith]

Wa Alaykum Asalam Ukhti,

From my experience of Algeria having gone for 2 months at a time, the life is relaxed and by routine...

I love the fact that my kids can play outside and don't have to worry about them being taken like here in the west, and how they can go to the corner shop and everyone knows who they are so i know they are safe, and that they have plenty of cousins to play with in the house, so it gives some some relax time.

I know some Algerians have this vision that living in Europe is far better living in Algeria but the are fooled, the life in Algeria is 10000 times better than living here in the west especially for those who are practicing Muslims, and for raising our children is far better in Algeria than here, as there is too much things going on here for them to see at such young ages and always have to be prepared for their questions, as in Algeria there is an innocence about the boys and the girls which is a great thing, especially when they are teenagers and really do not know that much like the ones here.

The only thing that gets me about Algeria is that it is very male dominated and women are kind of left in the background and do not know a lot of their rights Islamically and men take advantage of that and i have seen this with my own eyes which i dislike. Yet there are a lot of independent women out there too that know what they want, but i do find that Algeria is becoming more westernized especially with the youth which is a shame if only they knew that it's not what they think it is by looking at the tv and fantasizing about it.

The weather is too hot for me and the Mosqito love my blood lol.... but my dh lives beside the sea so my kids go swimming and fishing and sometimes the go off camping for a week to the sea with hubbies friends and kids and i spend my time in the house learning new recipes and cooking with the women or going to the shops for Caldee (Puff Pastry filled with cream cheese or tomato) My favorite thing to eat in Algeria that and Bakaloura.

There is so much more i could talk about, but Aayesha i'm sure your kids are having a great time and being well looked after, Inshaa Allah Ta'ala.

[Felicity]

People are welcome to correct me, but I think perhaps Algeria is only 10000 times better than the west if the person in question is well off. If not then... For example, if you own land, the government will give you money so you can build, if you already own a house, they will give you money to extend it etc, if you own nothing, then you appear to get nothing (they cant give you money to build on your land if you have no land to build on).