Although Ramadan is over, there is still not a whole lot to do in Algeria, especially without a car. And with only a few english speaking channels on TV, we have been catching up on box sets. One of these box sets is "Mad Men." And while life in Algeria is definitly not exciting enough to make a TV show out of, I can't help but notice all the ways that life here does mirror this show.
Everyone smokes all the time.
With it being illegal to smoke inside in Maryland, it is glaringly obvious how often people smoke in Algeria. The other day we went to the Sheraton for a day at the beach/pool and to get some dinner. Not only were cigarettes being smoked everywhere... one guy brought his hooka to the pool!
Men hang out and drink all the time.
The difference here is that on the show the men are always drinking liquor. In Algeria, men are always drinking coffee. And the coffee here is so strong, it's basically coffee crack. I will drink an XL Dunkin Donuts coffee at home, but a small cup here will sometimes give me the shakes. But whatever is being drank, men still use it as a reason to hang out... "A drink with the boys."
Men go out, women hold down the fort.
Walking through the neighborhood, you see many more men than women. When you do see women, they aren't hanging around as the men are, they are shopping (more for food than clothes) or taking care of young ones. Even with children, there are many more little boys playing outside than little girls. Holding down the fort is also much more time consuming here than in America, as there are no dishwashers, no dryers, and not all families have washing machines. I have already broken 2 bowls and a plate trying to do dishes by hand.
The cost of living is so low.
Recently Sean and I went to a local "grocery store." I put grocery store in quotes because it can barely be called that with its limited selection. CVS puts this place to shame. But for about $13 we got milk, bread, fruit, juice, yogurt, a candy bar, paper towels, and chips.
Men get around.
On the show, the men always have a mistress on the side. In Algeria, while men are faithful to their wives, it is also allowed for men to have multiple wives (although most men agree, "I can't handle more than one!")
There is a lack of air conditioning.
We recently watched the "Indian Summer" episode, where the characters think about getting air conditioning units. We are lucky to have an air conditioning unit, but only in the main living room. To be in any other room, you are sweating within 5 minutes. Sean and I now refer to this room as the fort, as we have moved our mattress into it and spend 95% of our time at home there.
I have wondered what it would be like to live in 1950s/1960s America, and now I feel I've gotten a taste. And while I acknowledge my relating life here to "Mad Men" probably means I've been watching a little too much of it on tv.... at least life isn't resembling "Dexter."
Everyone smokes all the time.
With it being illegal to smoke inside in Maryland, it is glaringly obvious how often people smoke in Algeria. The other day we went to the Sheraton for a day at the beach/pool and to get some dinner. Not only were cigarettes being smoked everywhere... one guy brought his hooka to the pool!
Men hang out and drink all the time.
The difference here is that on the show the men are always drinking liquor. In Algeria, men are always drinking coffee. And the coffee here is so strong, it's basically coffee crack. I will drink an XL Dunkin Donuts coffee at home, but a small cup here will sometimes give me the shakes. But whatever is being drank, men still use it as a reason to hang out... "A drink with the boys."
Men go out, women hold down the fort.
Walking through the neighborhood, you see many more men than women. When you do see women, they aren't hanging around as the men are, they are shopping (more for food than clothes) or taking care of young ones. Even with children, there are many more little boys playing outside than little girls. Holding down the fort is also much more time consuming here than in America, as there are no dishwashers, no dryers, and not all families have washing machines. I have already broken 2 bowls and a plate trying to do dishes by hand.
The cost of living is so low.
Recently Sean and I went to a local "grocery store." I put grocery store in quotes because it can barely be called that with its limited selection. CVS puts this place to shame. But for about $13 we got milk, bread, fruit, juice, yogurt, a candy bar, paper towels, and chips.
Men get around.
On the show, the men always have a mistress on the side. In Algeria, while men are faithful to their wives, it is also allowed for men to have multiple wives (although most men agree, "I can't handle more than one!")
There is a lack of air conditioning.
We recently watched the "Indian Summer" episode, where the characters think about getting air conditioning units. We are lucky to have an air conditioning unit, but only in the main living room. To be in any other room, you are sweating within 5 minutes. Sean and I now refer to this room as the fort, as we have moved our mattress into it and spend 95% of our time at home there.
I have wondered what it would be like to live in 1950s/1960s America, and now I feel I've gotten a taste. And while I acknowledge my relating life here to "Mad Men" probably means I've been watching a little too much of it on tv.... at least life isn't resembling "Dexter."
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