Umar in Algeria

I am in Alger right now and this city turns out to be better than I thought. Despite beautiful landscapes, here are my observations about the city.

1. I walked through the streets of Alger, and it doesn’t feel an African country at all. Or perhaps my impression of Africa was very different. It feels like I am walking in the streets of Rome or some town of Europe. I have never been to Europe so I don’t know how Rome really looks like. Nevertheless, since French ruled this country for a long time, it is natural for the architecture to be similar to that in Europe.

2. There is nothing for tourists in the city. Since the country is recovering from a long war, things are getting better slowly and gradually. According to the locals, in few years time the country will be a major tourist attraction.

3. People of become quote rough in the war trodden city. Since they are not used to tourists, they don’t know the meaning of customer service. So a waiter can refuse to take your order or simply say that the chef is too tired today and he can’t make this particular dish that you are ordering.

4. Most residential buildings in the city have blue doors and windows. When I asked a taxi driver about it, he had no idea why it was so. He said that’s the way it has been for ever.

5. The only languages spoken here are Arabic and French. Hardly anyone speaks English. I am lucky that my colleague speaks both these languages otherwise I was alone it would have been impossible for me to survive here.

6. Most buildings here are very old (with blue doors and windows, of course). I hardly saw a modern architecture.

7. The city is by the sea but there are no beaches in the city. There is no place for people to relax on the seashore.