In, 18th August 2011 i visited my mom,who worked in Indonesian Embassy in Algeria for celebrated ramadhan and Ied mubarak day. This is the first time in my life that i have opportunity to see the real one of Africa's country. *My dad actually has been gone to Capetown, South Africa a couple years ago.
At the first time, iam scared because this country's mother languange are Arabic and French languange.. *poor me even though i was born in France i can't handle french languange at all >//< .. Iam looked at AIESECs Countries member and finally found there is AIESEC Algeria. I want spent my vacation with meaningful activities. Since i was LCVP Communication 10/11 in AIESEC LC Surabaya so i want became Communication CEEDer in that country. Giving them proper training and coaching, giving feedback about their past perfomance since they still 3 years established. It uneasy task because i have AIESEC Indonesia's name in my shoulder. *okay, i will told more my AIESEC Experience in Algeria in the other post! :)
Algeria is one of the Largest country in Africa. it Located on North Africa and neighborhood of Libya, Tunisia and Marocco. the Capital city named Algiers and there are 30,821,000 people who lived there. Their religion are Islam (Sunni) 99% (state religion), Christian and Jewish 1%. They use Algerian Dinar as money currency. In Indonesia, we more familiar with Aljazair for called this country :) :)
taken from : www.worldatlas.com
Spending my holiday in Algeria is priceless experience. you will never be open-minded and big hearts if you only spend your day only your own country. Going aboard to a place that i never imagined before is challenging and make myself more proud to be Indonesian's Citizen.
At the first time, i'm kinda shocked when i know the working culture in that country still low. it's really different when you are having aboard to Asian's countries which there's time never sleeps, everything have fast rhytm. The infractructure also make me confused it's look like iam back to Indonesia's around 60-70's era. they are still developed their infrastructre and public transportation's management for the next few years :) .they also stricted with franchise and western's fast food such as K*C, M*D and etc. trust me, you will never found any fast food branch that i mentioned above. =__=a
The great thing in Algeria are the people is so nice and warmth, they really care for their friend and close each other. Indonesia and Algeria looks like brotherhood since that i knew our last former president, Ir.Soekarno helped their independence. some of tourist spot are really great! i love the air, cultural heritage and the deep blue sea in there. it still original and they keep it very well.. i can see clearly the result of Rome's ancients and heritage.
let's check it out some glimpse of my memorable journey :)
Houari Boumediene Airport in Algiers (Airport Sign board)
Ministry of Finance in Algiers
The beaches in Ain Taya
Algerian sweet and cookies :D
Indonesian food for Ied Mubarak's Day
Tipaza (UNESCO World Heritage Ancient Rome Site)
Tomb of Juba I et Cleopatra Selene II, Tipaza
*NB: people said that here graveyard for daughter of Cleopatra
Monument de' Martys / Makam-Ech-Chahid
*This is the symbol of the city. It is a magnificent structure that was built as a testimony to the brave spirit of the many people who laid down their lives for the independence of the country
Me and my Algeria Friend in Benaknoun :)
Me and My family at Sidi Fredj, Algeria
Notradame D'Afrique
*it's the well-know tourist spot in Algiers. the unique one is this is church but looks like mosque
me and my Algerian Friends at Salle El Mougar, Algiers
Me and my algerian friend in Babezzouar
The important things to remember :
1. Languange. At least, you have to be experienced in Arabic and French Languange. most of Algeria's citizen cannot understand english :)
2. Customs. When they meet other people, they usually greet them with kiss right and left side cheek two times. i know this customs is adapted from French's greeting :)
3. Food. Never expect (for Asian people) you can found Rice everywhere. they used to eat baguette (long bread) and salad. You can found Pizza's restaurant in everywhere you go. their traditional food are Beef/chicken couscous' Soup, Rechta's noodles and etc
4. Drive-wheel. Algeria's car have drive-wheel on the left side. so if you usually drive car from the right side, you need to practice before drive in left side :)
5. Architecture. Since they coloniazed by French a long time ago. most of their buildings architecture taken from french especially when you go to Algiers
6. cookies. they love to eat very sweet cookies. that's why the ingredients of cookies can be honey and sugar. try not eat too much cookies if you have diabetes's disease :)
7. tradition. there's a tradition when you are girl and already married. when you back to your original home your dad and brother's hand hold each other in front of the door and you need to walking slowly under their hand. it means that your family welcoming and wishing you for start new life from now *CMIIW
8. Wedding. they wearing two types of clothes for the weddingn reception. the traditional one which called "haik" a veil like fabric that covers the woman from head to toe and the other one it can be kaftan and etc
unfortunately i'm only spent my journey just one month but i've already learn a lot.
so this is my travelling story, how about you? :)
merci beaucoup Algerie! *hug
Cheers!
NB: thanks to Nazim and Zaki who correcting me that Algeria is the largest country in Africa hehe :3
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