Trip to Tipaza - Roman Ruins

Well, we have been here almost 2 weeks.  Kirk had an interview at the embassy today and is now gainfully employed at the embassy in the consular section.  He starts in a couple of weeks. 


Tipaza, Algeria
Mediterranean Sea

Last Friday we took an embassy sponsored trip to Tipaza, a beautiful site of roman ruins.  It was very interesting and some of it was very beautiful...some of it, not so much.  Some of the ruins date back to the 1st century.  It was about 100 degrees outside and sunny but we enjoyed the Mediterranean breeze, even though it was pretty hot.  We were driven to the site (about 1-1/2 hours from the embassy) in an armored van with police escort.  Our escorts accompanied us everywhere.  Once we left Algiers, our driver had to keep stopping as we entered new "counties" and had to show our diplomatic paperwork.

After we toured the ruins, we walked around the souvenir shops for a few minutes.  We didn't find anything that we could live without.  We then went to lunch.  That was an experience!  Kirk ordered grilled turkey and I ordered a steak, trying to be safe.  Both were tough and not so good.  At the end of the meal, one of the other ladies found a cockroach in our bread basket!!  Needless to say, we didn't eat much after that!  LOL  Life in a third world country....we take a lot for granted in the U.S.!  We walked across the street to the waterfront after lunch and the stench from the fish markets and rotting garbage just about knocked me over!  I am definitely not a "smell" person. 

We then stopped at a local beach club where we got out and walked around.  It was dirty and not somewhere that I would want to stay.  The sad part is, it could be very beautiful but they don't have the infrastructure to make it that way.  We also noticed that it was mostly boys and men swimming.  The majority of women were off to themselves with the girls, many of whom where covered from head to toe at the beach.

We then went to the tomb of the Christian, which is actually a tomb of the first royal family.  It is a dome like structure.  There was a white camel there.  One of the girls from our group paid to take a ride on it.  I want to ride a camel in the desert so I am waiting for that. 

When we got home from our trip, we showered and headed off to another party.  It was a going away party for one of my co-workers who leaves for Mali this week.  We had a good time and met some more people from the embassy.

We have found a wonderful little gelato shop just down the hill from us.  We love to go try out all the different flavors.  So far, the Snickers has won!!  Just across from that is a pizza joint called Dolce Vita.  We had pizza there yesterday and it was actually good.  Thin crust, crispy and good toppings.  No pepperoni here though!!

There are several small markets in our neighborhood and we have started feeling comfortable enough to shop there.  We have found a local butcher shop where we get our meat.  The smells, again, are quite overwhelming.  There are stray cats everywhere!!! No wonder we had to get rabies vaccines.  There is a chinese restaurant down at the bottom of the hill in our neighborhood and Kirk says they must not be serving cat because there are so many on the street!!  LOL

It is hot and humid but I can't go outside without having my arms and legs covered....it is frustrating.  I just want to put on some shorts and walk to the store! 

This Friday, we are going on another embassy sponsored trip and then another party Friday night.  There is also a place called the Brit Bar here, which is part of the British embassy, just down the street from our embassy.  You have to be members there and you can enjoy food, drink and the occasional trivia contest. They somehow serve BLTs and sausage there.....amazing since we can't get pork in this country!  So glad we are in a country where we aren't supposed to drink!!!

There is a large temple about 2 blocks from here.  We are starting to get used to hearing the calls to prayer 5 times a day (the 1st one being at 4:30 am).  It is broadcast over a loud speaker and sounds like "Allahhhhhh" and then some arabic prayers.