So we experienced a traditional Berber wedding yesterday, and no it wasn't mine. Talk about different. The reception consisted of only women. No groom or male guests. The men were downstairs having a reception of their very own. The bride changed dresses five times. She had on a regular wedding dress then she proceeded to change into different dresses representing the different regions of Algeria. She wore each dress for about 20 minutes. For those 20 minutes she walked around showing everyone her dress and then sat in a massive chair and watched people dance. Now I had no idea who she was and she was not family of anyone we know, but my family wanted us to go with them. The entire time we were there all eyes were on us. All the women were staring at us saying "Look at the Americans!" And when I went to go dance...I quickly sat down. Nobody knows about churning the butter or mopping the floor. Oh well. Algeria isn't ready for this yet.
Some quick facts about the past few days:
The police are so nice.
I have, no joke, over 300 family members in Algeria. I have met at least 150 of them since we've been here. Ok, there might be some hyperbole in that last statement. But we have met a ton of family.
When you go to someone's home you are offered coffee, cookies, cake, water, juice, and Coke. And you are expected to eat it all.
My cousin Emene (7) is probably the cutest kid I have ever met, right after Cooper Lynch. :)
You have to be authorized to ride in a boat here and they did not authorize Sahra and I because we are American.
It is hot here all time.
Men are still everywhere.
When you go to buy something you haggle over the price. There is no firm price on anything, expect food.
Walking is the primary mode of transportation.
My dad is a fantastic man.
Saturday, July 10, 2010
Thursday, July 8, 2010
The Past Few Days
So our cousins Mila (23), Llamia (18), and Yasmene (18) have been our personal tour guides. They have showed us so much of Algiers in the past two days. We went to my family's clothing store that my grandfather used to own. My Uncle D'Jamel now runs the store. Since my dad is the oldest he techinically is in charge of it, but he can't run it from the U.S. so my uncle does.
After the store we went to this massive war monument. It was incredible. The floor underneath it is all marble. No one is allowed to walk on it. If you do, the guards will shoot you with their machine guns. We see a lot of machine guns here.
Yesterday we went to a museum of Algerian art. It was really cool to see some national treasures and a lot of traditional pieces of paintings and art of Algeria. At one point it took us 15 minutes to translate the word "summary." My cousins speak very little English because they all speak Arabic, Berber, and French. Sahra speaks French. My cousin Yasmene also speaks Spanish. I speak English and Spanish. We sort of form a language train and end up understanding what is being said after a few minutes. It sounds like the United Nations everywhere we go.
Everyone has been so friendly. Store owners, waiters, cops. We don't know if it's because we are American or if it's because we are female. You never see any women on the street. It's all men everywhere. All the time. And they stare at you. I mean stare. It's as if they have never seen a woman before. And yes, Sahra and I have been hit on, proposed to, etc. The women you do see are covered. Long sleeve shirts. Pants. And a head covering. And it's 92 degrees here.
Today we are going to the zoo and staying with my uncle, his wife, and his four kids. More to come soon!
After the store we went to this massive war monument. It was incredible. The floor underneath it is all marble. No one is allowed to walk on it. If you do, the guards will shoot you with their machine guns. We see a lot of machine guns here.
Yesterday we went to a museum of Algerian art. It was really cool to see some national treasures and a lot of traditional pieces of paintings and art of Algeria. At one point it took us 15 minutes to translate the word "summary." My cousins speak very little English because they all speak Arabic, Berber, and French. Sahra speaks French. My cousin Yasmene also speaks Spanish. I speak English and Spanish. We sort of form a language train and end up understanding what is being said after a few minutes. It sounds like the United Nations everywhere we go.
Everyone has been so friendly. Store owners, waiters, cops. We don't know if it's because we are American or if it's because we are female. You never see any women on the street. It's all men everywhere. All the time. And they stare at you. I mean stare. It's as if they have never seen a woman before. And yes, Sahra and I have been hit on, proposed to, etc. The women you do see are covered. Long sleeve shirts. Pants. And a head covering. And it's 92 degrees here.
Today we are going to the zoo and staying with my uncle, his wife, and his four kids. More to come soon!
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
Culture Shock
Wow. So I've been here for six days and I've learned so much. When we arrived last Thursday we met about 15 family members. Three speak English. There was a lot of hand motions and pointing happening. Then Friday we left for the village. Six hours up a mountain, winding streets, and a ton of Berber being spoken is not my idea of a "nice drive." We left the village on Saturday and went to the beach until today. I have learned so much and I've only been here for six days. There is no way I could tell you everything I've learned and experienced but I've listed some things below. Enjoy!
Sleeping on a plane is not fun, at all.
When you go to the village you are not supposed to wear a glitter shirt, a skirt, and rainbows.
My family is so welcoming. They are the nicest people I have ever met, hands down.
After a while, language isn't a barrier anymore.
Algerians are the worst drivers and they pay 300 to learn to drive like that. Seriously, I needed an air sick bag driving around Algiers today.
You think that's what you're eating for dinner, as it turns out more food is coming your way.
I will never, ever get used to the bathroom here, a.k.a. the hole in the ground.
I get my laugh from my Aunt Farida.
There is no A/C here. They own A/C units; but never turn them on.
Dessert is fruit, and it is awesome.
It sounds like everyone is yelling, but really they are just talking about the weather.
Everyday at 5:00 we drink coffee and eat cake.
There is a police checkpoint every three miles and they carry machine guns.
Everyone can tell we are Americans. Everyone.
Sahra can milk a cow. I can't.
Sometimes the electricity goes out, it happens.
I understand my dad a whole lot more now.
I will try to update more frequently but there is no telling what my family has planned for us.
Sleeping on a plane is not fun, at all.
When you go to the village you are not supposed to wear a glitter shirt, a skirt, and rainbows.
My family is so welcoming. They are the nicest people I have ever met, hands down.
After a while, language isn't a barrier anymore.
Algerians are the worst drivers and they pay 300 to learn to drive like that. Seriously, I needed an air sick bag driving around Algiers today.
You think that's what you're eating for dinner, as it turns out more food is coming your way.
I will never, ever get used to the bathroom here, a.k.a. the hole in the ground.
I get my laugh from my Aunt Farida.
There is no A/C here. They own A/C units; but never turn them on.
Dessert is fruit, and it is awesome.
It sounds like everyone is yelling, but really they are just talking about the weather.
Everyday at 5:00 we drink coffee and eat cake.
There is a police checkpoint every three miles and they carry machine guns.
Everyone can tell we are Americans. Everyone.
Sahra can milk a cow. I can't.
Sometimes the electricity goes out, it happens.
I understand my dad a whole lot more now.
I will try to update more frequently but there is no telling what my family has planned for us.
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