AH ALGERIA!

[BUSHRA2]

Salaam. I got back from a long trip...and Algeria made me whole. I can't say enough on how amazing Algeria is, but most of all the people are dynamic...too dynamic in Oran if you get my drift .

[Ruks]

Wasalaam - nice to hear from you - sounds like fun, you've got to say more....

[HOUDA-K]

Asslam Alaikoum ~Sisters~

Bushra :



When I got back from Magrib {Morocco}, I sure did not feel whole, if anything I feel agitated. I don’t know about Jazere {Algeria} but Morocco may be part of Africa - and sometimes uncomfortably close to Europe - but it is also part of the Arab story.

Morocco is rife with contradictions.

As Sister~R~ mentioned, please enlighted us about your trip to Jazerre ……

[Ruks]

Wasalaam

Houda why did you feel agitated? All societies are full of contradictions. How did you feel when actually in morroco?

[BUSHRA2]

Thanks for the Marhaba sisters. Sorry ladies but I was rushing this early morning. Okay, I meant I felt 'whole' because I was in the presence of my husbands' family and friends...this contact is what I was yearning for considering I know so much about them and what great people they all are. Nothing beats real-time contact. My Arabic is basic to say the least...my French is just as horrible (reading at best), and only one person (aside from my husband)in the group spoke considerably English. I was fortunate that one of my husband's female cousin speaks Italian fluently and one of his sisters can understand Spanish somewhat, therefore us three musketeers got along very well. They were my interpreters when my husband was catching up with his male relatives and buddies.

I now can focus a bit on some of the comments I've come across in the past about Algeria. My second cousin that had a fit with some of the comments that she read once on this BB, informed me she was visiting this site while I was away and became more terrified than before I left---she is very EURO minded. She's also in her elder years (sorry if you read this as I mean it with the highest respect), and with all that's going on in the world she was scared for me as a Westerner in an Islamic country.

Well Houda interesting you mention Morocco because initially my husband and I were going there and then that was swiped off the list (shame because I need to see the land of my distant roots on my father's side), and at the last minute Tunis and Ile de Jerba, Tunisa was cut off the itinerary. We thought how rude to family considering we had a month to spend with them and then go dividing it up to play "tourist" elsewhere when so much time has past since my husband was home...and I'm their BUSHRA .

I actually like the chaos of Jazere because it felt the way Latin culture is; ALIVE. Some of the buildings (and yes in the capital as well) are in need of some serious repairs, but at the same time have a lot of character---history is so relevant in countries that have such a varied past. The food is wonderful!!! The people are warm, but of course it doesn't mean that everyone is like this...rudeness is in full-play all over the world. The fact that I blend in physically was a plus. People commented constantly to my husband how I look so Algerian...which I found very amusing. It's a compliment really. And BOY is it hot...in the desert region people basically turning the night to day, and the day to night; activity wise. Some people will sleep out of their homes due to the heat---which didn't make sense to me but then again what do I know. I was too busy watching out for those infamous scorpions . Oran is a happening place...a bit shady for the record. It's not really what I would call a "family" city, but it has its style and beauty too WAHRANE (HE HE).

SALAAM

[HOUDA-K]

Originally posted by Ruks

Wasalaam

How did you feel when actually in morroco?

Asslam Alaioum Sister~R~

One word : Commiseration. Morocco is still a traditional North African country and in Moroccan society it is still unfortunately divided when it comes to the status of women.

Wa Salam

[algerie4ever]

i love oran ... the best place ever been to!!

thanks for sharing...