This trip was an adventure for sure. We had two armored vans with armed escorts in front of us and behind us. By the time we got to the top of mountain, we were in the clouds. At the very top of the mountain, there was a ski lift (a very rickety old single chair lift) and during the winter time they get a little bit of snow, only at the top of the mountain. We were supposed to hike a little through the forest but as we got ready to hike, the sky opened up and it started pouring! It hardly ever rains in the summer here....just our luck! We got back into the vans and headed down the mountain to the hotel where we were scheduled to have lunch. The power was out when we arrived but they let us in anyway. The power came back on a little later. The lunch was actually pretty good. They served fresh baguettes with a spicy hot relish first. It was really good but really hot! Kirk tried a local appetizer (can't remember the name) but it was pasta stuffed with meat and covered in a creamy sauce. Our table ordered a bottle of local wine....big mistake! The smell alone would knock you out! We took a couple of tastes and that was it. This lunch was much better than the first trip we took...no visitors in the bread basket. LOL!!
Two hours later (remember I said nothing happens quickly here....that includes meals), the storm had cleared and we had a beautiful view from the mountain. There is a cable car at the hotel which we were supposed to ride but, of course, it wasn't working that day! So we headed back down the mountain and went to a local market place where they sell local goods and trinkets. We passed a place where you could feed the monkeys, but we didn't stop. Thank goodness because I don't like monkeys!! We did see a monkey climbing on the rock cliff on the side of the road as we were driving. The local people were filling up empty plastic jugs with the water that was running off the mountain. There were families bathing in the river and washing their clothes. All along the side of the roads there were vendors selling all kinds of things. The market place was full of families with their kids. They had miniature ponies and were giving pony rides, a playground area and there were several places where you could sit in a chair between two live peacocks and get your photo taken, for a fee of course.
The ride home was very interesting. Kirk took some video from the van because no one would believe it until you see it. Our police escorts in the front were creating a third lane in traffic and pushing people out of the way...even in a tunnel we were going about 120 kph in the middle of road between the two lanes of traffic!! It was nice bypassing all the traffic, diplomatic plates do come in handy at times, but this was crazy! We tried to upload the video but our internet service just can't handle it...here is a photo instead.
We are getting settled here and getting into a routine. Kirk was offered the job in the consular section, then found out the funding had "disappeared" so he wouldn't have the job. The next day, the funding had "reappeared" and as of now, is in the process of being hired. He should be at work by the end of the month. Kirk has gone to the local markets during the day by himself...which is not an easy task.
We attended a "black & white" party last night at the Marine House, after attending an official reception before that. Everyone wore black & white and there was a dj and dancing. The weather was beautiful and we were able to be outside on the large patio to enjoy the clear skies and beautiful moon. There were about 150 people at the party and we had a good time. We didn't think to bring the camera to the party but I wish we had!
Tomorrow, we will be rocking the Casbah, for real! We are touring the Casbah and are having lunch at the home of an Algerian family who lives there. If any of you have ever seen the movie "The Battle of Algiers", you know what the Casbah looks like. We will post tomorrow our adventures at the Casbah and some pictures.
No comments:
Post a Comment