Trip to Marseille, France

As I have said many times, exploring this side of the world is a huge bonus of living in Algeria. When Sean and I got to the point where we couldn't take eating only at night during Ramadan any more, we were so fortunate to be able to jump on a plane to Marseille (south France). Honestly before we thought about where to go, I couldn't tell you exactly where Marseille is, but then again I didn't know where Algeria was initially either. Maybe I will finally be good with geography when I come back home.

 

Marseille is only an hour flight... and definitly beats anywhere you can fly to from Maryland in an hour. It was beautiful and so relaxing.   We did some sight-seeing, swam in the mediterranian, ate awesome food, and took a boat trip along the coast to a smaller island.  We were surprised how french-speaking people dominated the area, and communicating was tough.  In Rome and Curacao (the other 2 places Sean and I have gone outside of the US- and Algeria doesn't count because no one goes their to vacation), we could always find someone who spoke English, especially at tourist attractions.  We got used to information being delivered to us in multiple languages.  In Marseille, we really didn't have a clue what was going on a lot of the time.  Sean fortunately speaks some french, so he was less lost than me.  While the food was great, ordering was not easy.  I basically just looked for poisson (fish), fromage (cheese), and tomate.  But as many have pointed out to me, I am basically as picky an eater as a child, and even the poisson and fromage would come with fish eggs, veal, or something other meat I find gross.  In trying to ask a waiter what they had that didn't include red meat, he suggested lamb and steak.  But eventually I found the sea bass option, and it was well worth the initial menu frustration.

I think one of the somewhat pathetic highlights from the trip was how much I appreciated our hotel with hot showers with water pressure and the soft bed.  Back in Algeria, I couldn't even take a shower this morning because there was no water.  And Algeria seems to have a lumpy pillow/hard bed problem.  Marseille was the best sleep I've gotten since leaving America, and it was hard for Sean to get me out of the bed most mornings.

One thing I have to comment on is the "show" we saw out at the bar one night. We got there around 11, and were 2 of about 10 people there. We thought maybe it just wasn't the spot to be, but with Sean wearing shorts we couldn't get in to the other bar we wanted to go to. But before we knew it, the bar was packed. But what I need to comment on was the entertainment. Around 1am, a male and female got up on the bar and started dancing. They were clearly hired by the bar, and dressed like strippers (and I am still kicking myself for not taking a picture!) She had on a bikini top, and jeans that were cut up, pants length on one side and shorts length on the other side. He had on a black mesh tank top, cut up jeans, and clearly showing striped orange and black boy short underwear. In a word, it was "ew." I thought maybe it was a french thing, but no one seemed to really enjoy the show. The dancers looked like they were saying "aren't we hot? don't you want us?" Um... no thanks. I hope this is a european trend that never makes it to the states. 

One of the best highlights was the new friends we made, Kelly and Ritchie.  We met on our boat trip, and were immediately drawn together as the only people on the boat speaking english!  You gotta love the common bond.  After the boat ride, we had drinks and laughs (Ritchie loving my freak out when a big cockroach crawled on to my foot).  We are so thankful to have met these Aussies, and hope we can meet up with them somewhere else in the world.

I wonder where in the world we will go next!

Bunching

In America, it seems there are lines for everywhere for everything. In Algeria, you will never see a line. Not because there are less people waiting for things, but because Algerians don't wait in lines... they "bunch."

I can't take credit for the incredibly accurate term-- the credit belongs to my hubby, who is much more clever with words than I am.

I saw the clearest example of bunching at the airport. While lines suck, sometimes they are needed, like when trying to go through security. While Sean and I attempted to wait in line, Algerians gathered around us, trying to get as close to the front as possible. (And it's not like we can say anything to them- they wouldn't understand what we were saying anyway). And again when it was time to board the plane, all the Algerians tried to get as close to the check in counter as fast as possible. I understand wanting to get to the front in many cases, but to board a plane?? The first person on the plane really just sits in their cramped seat the longest. And clearly personal space is not a concern, because bunching involves no personal space for anyone. As someone who feels personal space is important, I see myself getting no where fast. Bunching gives a new meaning to someone "breathing down the back of your neck." I will gladly move to the back of the bunch if it means I won't feel some strangers gross hot breath.

As a 1st grade teacher, one of the things you teach first in the beginning of the year is "single file, second tile." Not only is walking and staying in a line important, it even matters where the line is located in the hallway. Since no one forms any sort of line here, I can't imagine what chaos may be going on in primary classrooms in Algeria. Bunching in the hallway? (ok that's basically dismissal at BES) Bunching in the lunch line? Bunching coming in the classroom door? I can just imagine the arguments and pushing that would occur. While I sometimes feel like a stickler constantly harping on students to stay in line, seeing the other way things could be makes me think of lining up in a whole new way.

The next time I'm in America, and waiting in one of the many sucky lines, I will be thankful for my personal bubble, and remember it could be worse.

foosball: the late night sport

It's still Ramadan, and one thing I have really enjoyed is the intense foosball games that go down outside our apartment at night.  Starting around 8pm, 2 foosball tables appear and the games begin. 

The table on the right is for the younger kids, the table on the left is for teenagers.  I love how everyone standing around the tables is completely still and silent until the ball drops, then goes crazy.  And I love how this happens over and over, and over, and over.  The games will last until about 1am each night with players coming and going, but games never stopping.  The competitive yelling echos through the streets (and our apartment), and Sean said he's seen fights break out over the outcomes of the game.

As the owner of a foosball table myself (although it sits in my garage and I haven't played since senior year of college), watching brings back some good memories.  The last time I remember playing was against Sean's friend Brian Brown, who thought he was good until he played me.  After our first game, "Rematch!"  After the second, "One more!"  It's hard to stop playing without a victory.  I am sure Brown would be trying to jump in on a game if he were here.  I would also like to jump in on a game... but no girls allowed  :-(  I am definitly looking forward to the day the locals get used to seeing me, and I no longer feel like the circus freak.  But whether I'm allowed to play or not, I still feel like I get to participate in the foosball fun.

We're here!

Sean and I finally arrived in Algeria yesterday after a very long day of travel.  While we spent a total of 24 hours in airports and on airplanes, we can't complain too much- we also made $1200 in the process by voluteering to extend our layover and take a later flight.  Since a round trip from the US to Algeria costs about that, we definitly are thankful.

Upon arriving at Sean's (and now my) apartment in Algiers, we were un-welcomed by the mess his old roommate/colleague left.  His contract did not get resigned, and clearly he's unhappy about it.  So he decided to handle it like a grown man and trash the apartment before leaving.  Fortunately we were able to get a cleaning lady to come this morning (who I must add is the hardest working, fast cleaning lady I've ever seen... and only cost $13).

So what's it like so far?  I've been sleeping a lot, recovering from the trip and adjusting to the time difference.  I've never thought of myself as high maintainance, but that's all I've seen myself as since arriving here.  It really makes you appreciate what we have in America.  Like water.  Water here is not only not for drinking, but also not always hot and not always available.  And here I thought water fell under the "need" category.  Apparently here you don't shower when you're getting ready to go out, you shower when you can.  I felt so dirty from the flight and sweaty from the heat, so I had to shower today with no hot water.  So there I am, holding my head upside down, trying to wash my hair without the water really touching anything but my hair, then attempting to shave, which is counterproductive with all the goosebumps on my legs.  (I can't help but notice how the covered women I see in the street don't ever have to worry about greasy hair or hairy legs... coincidence??)

The other crazy part of life right now is that it's Ramadan.  In Algeria, Ramadan is taken very seriously.  No one eats or drinks during the day, and very few work.  Finding food for us to eat during the day hasn't been easy.  We can go to the Sheraton resort, but that's resort pricing ($50 for my ceasar salad and Sean's cheeseburger).  The other option is to sleep most of the day, and eat at night, which is what the locals seem to do.  Apparently they can eat when the sun goes down.  It makes me more curious about what working muslums in America do during Ramadan.

While there are quite a few things that make life a challenge, everything feels like an adventure, and for that reason it's fun.  And spending this time with my hubby after not being able to for so long, is just awesome.  :-)

Prelude

After some encouragement to start a blog about my adventures over the next year, here is my attempt.  Tomorrow I move to Africa-- Algeria specifically.  Up until a year ago when Sean moved there, I couldn't locate it on a map.  And now it will be my home for the next year.  REALLY???

There aren't quite words to express what I'm feeling.  It's been sinking in for a couple months, but how does something like moving to Algeria really sink in completely?  How do I prepare to live in a place where there aren't grocery stores, traffic lights, credit cards.... oh, and women are mostly dressed covered head to toe and very few people who speak english?  CULTURE SHOCK to say the least.  But when given the chance, I had to think about the person I wanted to be.  I've been the person that works too hard, takes cares of the house and bills, and gets stuck in a routine.  Why not also be the person who isn't afraid to drop everything for a new experience, learns a new language (or in this case maybe two- French and Arabic), and explores an unknown world with my husband? 

I've always believed everything happens for a reason, but  to be honest, it was always kind of a justification for things.  I do shit wrong, I grow.  Bad shit happens, it makes me who I am today.  Blah blah blah.  But after the past year (spending my first year of marriage away from my husband while he's in Algeria and I'm in the US), I see everything happens for a reason.  It has sucked being away from Sean.  And  I went into this year thinking "the reason" was to help Sean's coaching career.  But there was also a reason for me.  As much as I hate to admit it, girls, me included, are bad with being too close to their relationships--- in otherwords, "I've available when he isn't."  Well, for a year he wasn't available, and out of that year came an amazing support system of people.  Of course my family, who was amazing as always.  But also amazing girl friends.  Due to my past (which "has made me grow as a person"), it's hard for me to open up to girls.  When best friends turn, it makes it hard to want to find another.  Sean being gone has forced me to open up, and I'm so thankful for what it's led to.  I definitly have a new found faith in the female race :-)


Moving away is a double edge sword.  I'm lucky for all the people I've gotten to spend time with over the last 3 weeks, but with each interaction, a looming good bye comes.  Of course, "it's not good bye, it's see you later."  People only say this when someone is going to be gone for a while, so is it really better than just good bye?  I don't care- I still feel better saying it.  I love the lunches, crab feast, and bridesmaids movie/chipotle gatherings!


So now that I've said my "see you later"s to my amazing people in America, I begin my next life adventure in Algeria.  I have no idea what awaits, and while the control freak in me is causing jitters, I am excited to take the plunge. 

Everything happens for a reason!