Wednesday I head to the third world, Algiers, Algeria for two weeks. Mixed emotions are definitely present. I’m not sure what to expect. I’ve asked about one million questions and I still don’t have a clear picture of what to expect.
It will be hot. No shorts. I will be sleeping with several female cousins, plus my sister, in the same bed. No air condition. There is a limited use of English. Breakfast is coffee, black. I can’t help in the store that my family owns; I’m a woman. There is some great shopping. Dad instructed me not to be so loud…yeah, right. We are visiting the Mediterranean. I will learn how to cook some traditional Arab food. The toilet is a hole in the ground.
I am filled with excitement, nervousness, anticipation and apprehension. I am a planner. I need to know what we are going to do each day. My dad: not so much. He is more of the “fly by the seat of your pants” kind of guy, never planning more than 30 minutes in advance. I will have to learn to surrender control and let my dad take over. I will do it, but it won’t be easy, at all. I know me. But putting that aside, I have longed to know my dad’s side of my heritage for so long and now it’s finally going to happen. Getting to know my dad’s culture will hopefully shed some light on why he thinks, behaves and reacts the way he does. Having the chance to travel to Algeria is a once in a lifetime opportunity and I will fully embrace all that Algeria has to offer. Please pray for safe travels, great bonding between my father, sister and I, and that I won’t end up in a terrorist video.
P.S. I will attempt to update you on my blog about my trip as much as possible.
