Yet another American with questions

[Brian]

Hello all. I am an American who has been very interested in travel to Algeria for some time, and I am busy learning Arabic as well. Due to what is no doubt a familiar story here, I have been wary of taking a trip to the country because of (a) the ever-changing security situation (and the complete lack of reliable official information) and (b) the fact that I have yet to get in touch with any people in Algiers (just to kind of make things easier).

I've done enough research to determine that safety issues are largely restricted to isolated incidents, and if I stay smart and know what I'm doing, I should be fine (I have no doubt that Algerians are warm and friendly people). Still, I would be very interested in getting in contact with some locals, both to get some better info for my own safety and to hopefully make some new friends.

Please feel free to get back to me, as any information at all would be very useful, and I am eager to make the trip sometime in the near future.

Thank you in advance for your help,

Brian

[Brian]

And in the future, I promise to thoroughly check for previously posted threads that may answer my questions (i.e., another American's post a few threads down from this one). Sorry, everyone. Still, any relies are much appreciated.

[Lotfi_dk]

hey,

well i don't live in Algeria but i can provide you with any info you want.

Security is Algeria has improved, infect Algeria is now more safer then any other Arabic country.

so what kind of info are you looking for?

[Brian]

Hello Lotfi, and thanks for your help.

I suppose I'm interested in finding out about overland travel. I know people crisscross the country all the time, but I'm constantly reading conflicting information. On one hand, it seems like travel in the south is completely safe (with all the Sahara adventurists), and on the other, every official source says that this is really the only dangerous part of the country. Also, what about overland between big cities in the north, like Algiers and Oran? All this business about fake roadblocks -- these are infrequent occurances, right?

I'd really like to go from the north to the south overland, and I'd hate to waste a trip there flying from spot to spot. I'm pretty sure all of this is relatively safe, as long as I'm smart and know what I'm doing, but I also know it's best to find it out from people firsthand.

[TonyStarks]

Most of those incidents are isolated. Basically, use some common sense when travelling in Algeria. The fake roadblocks barely occur and usually happen en route to cities you probably wont visit. As travelling to the desert, my cousins go all the time (they live down there) and have never had a problem. It should be safe. Algeria's security situation is very exagerated nowadays given our past.I go every summer and i see foreigners all the time, they all seem fine.

[MrMean_]

Originally posted by Brian
Hello Lotfi, and thanks for your help.

I suppose I'm interested in finding out about overland travel. I know people crisscross the country all the time, but I'm constantly reading conflicting information. On one hand, it seems like travel in the south is completely safe (with all the Sahara adventurists), and on the other, every official source says that this is really the only dangerous part of the country. Also, what about overland between big cities in the north, like Algiers and Oran? All this business about fake roadblocks -- these are infrequent occurances, right?

I'd really like to go from the north to the south overland, and I'd hate to waste a trip there flying from spot to spot. I'm pretty sure all of this is relatively safe, as long as I'm smart and know what I'm doing, but I also know it's best to find it out from people firsthand.

Actually the deep Sahara (Around tamannrasset and Hoggar, Assekrem) is not safe at all. That's where the remnants of ther GSPC hide and that's were the 30 something Germans were kidnapped then released for a heavy ransom.And still the GSPC emir Mokhtar Ben Mokhtar is roaming the region of Ghardaia, and more to the south. The safest place in the Sahara would be the Region of Hassi Messaoud which is heavily guarded by the army and where the oil fields are.But I have American friends who roamed the streets of Algiers in complete security even if I thought they were crazy because it was when the violence was at its peak namely 1994. I will provide more info when have time. If you there during the summer I might invite you to a wedding in Algiers if you are interested

[Brian]

"Actually the deep Sahara (Around tamannrasset and Hoggar, Assekrem) is not safe at all."

This I have heard/read from many sources, but it also looks like some of the best parts of desert. The adventurist types seem to have no problem moving in and out of Algeria around Tamannrasset, but then again, they seem immune from running afoul of any trouble, save the dunes that get their cars stuck. Coming from someone who knows the country, though, I'm more inclined to take your advice.

"If you there during the summer I might invite you to a wedding in Algiers if you are interested."

I was really hoping to go this summer, but we'll see how the finances work out. If you would like to stay in touch, feel free to email me at theceeg@gmail.com.

Thanks again, everyone. I do indeed appreciate it, and the picture I get is most heartening.