Kidnapped By Kindness

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Whew. I dont have time for another long entry, as Im at the cybercafe with this other girl and I dont know how long she wants to stay.

And THIS is the great thing and the problem about Algeria.

Backtrack:

So I spent a great and relaxing day in Tipaza before heading back to Algiers, hurtling in a bus in the 35+ degree heat and again having barely the foggiest clue as to what was happening. Im getting quite used to the feeling- in fact, Im quite thrown when I do know whats going on...

I finally get to Madame Ranis house- seriously, a formidable woman. I was left with the strange impression that she could have been the head honcho mistress in a brothel in the olden days. Which, of course, I would never tell her. I spent an excellent couple of days there with Rani, her daugher Fatima, her best friend Aicha and her next door neighbour Boushira. Mostly just sitting, chilling, being forced to eat exorbitant amounts of food and touring around in Aichas car.

Aicha could have been a badass (but kindhearted) biker chick in another life. I have many a great memory of us booking it down the narrow Algerian roads, Aicha honking and swearing at every other driver on the road, with her Celine Dion cassette BLASTING for everyone to hear. From now on, whenever I hear Celine Dion I will think of her.

We also went to a Hammam- a Turkish bath. This is a really common outing here, and a totally bizarre experience for me. I dont think I will every forget losing layers upon layers of skin as Boushira, essentially the Arab equivalent of a burly Swedish masseuse, pummeled me with her exfoliating gloves. But I really felt like an entirely new person upon leaving- it took the dirty out of my dirty hippie adventurer identity. (I felt strangely empty without it...)

Anyway, I finally left, had problems with trains etc in getting to Annaba, and finally had to take a 10 hour bus ride instead. No problem; in the process I met Mohamed and Sliman, two Algerian students my age that were traveling around Algeria on a whim like me. They were very cool guys. (and the lizard went leh).

Unfortunately, this Algerian woman also took a liking to me, essentially trapped me between herself and the window, and proceeded to tell me her entire life story for the next 10 hours. She was so sweet- but I nearly exploded. She invited me over to her house, and I refused multiple times.

Lets just say that if youre invited over to an Algerians house, you end up there. At the lack of finding any hotels, I was shuttled off against my will to her place, and was completely bombarded upon arrival by her extensive family. I felt like one of the dead bird that my cousins cat continually brings to their house- the cat being the mother, so proud of her find, presenting me as a trophy to her family.

See, this is the great thing but problem with traveling in Algeria: you are the equivalent of a rockstar. Everyone you meet wants to ask you all about your life, grill you about your opinions on everything; are genuinely excited to meet you. But no one can constantly be gracious and energetic back towards them!

I was just so tired. People are so nice here- and no one understands me when I try to explain that sometimes, a gal just has to be alone. Anyway, after a good nights sleep, I was resigned to my fate and actually really began to enjoy myself. Its a very large family that Im staying with, and they are all very sweet and generous and amazing. The one daughter has always wanted to travel, and makes me really embarassed, as she sometimes talks to me as if Im on a pedestal, or something; but Im no one special!

We went to the beach and I loved every single second of it. Its decided; Im booking off an entire week in Tunisia dedicated to lying on the beach, swimming, and doing absolutely nothing.

Tonight I depart this fantastic country, but I really think it wont be the last time here. Ive got people that will greet me in open arms in various cities across the country- Ive even scored myself and my mom an invite to a wedding that will hopefully happen next year!

Check yall later!

Stacey

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[jess]

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