Last month, I got invited to lecture in Algiers, the Algerian capital. I knew nothing about this country. I was truly intrigued to go discover it - the country, its people, its food... After visiting Tunisia, which I found resembles Lebanon even though the food was bad, I sort of grasped an idea of what to expect to see and experience in the Northern African part of the world.
Algiers is the capital and largest city of Algeria. According to the 1998 census, the population of the city proper was 1,519,570 and that of the urban agglomeration was 2,135,630. In 2009, the population was about 3,500,000. An estimate puts the population at about 3,574,000 as of 2010. Algiers is located on the Mediterranean Sea and in the north-central portion of Algeria. Sometimes nicknamed El-Behdja or alternatively Alger la Blanche ("Algiers the White") for the glistening white of its buildings as seen rising up from the sea, Algiers is situated on the west side of a bay of the Mediterranean Sea. The modern part of the city is built on the level ground by the seashore; the old part, the ancient city of the deys, climbs the steep hill behind the modern town and is crowned by the casbah or citadel, 122 meters above the sea. The casbah and the two quays form a triangle.
Hotel Saint George, El Djazair: A Vivid Idea of Algeria’s History
Breakfast at The Saint George Hotel, Algeria: Bad
- Bizarrely, white cars are a trend around here, like in Saudi Arabia. I felt like I was driving around a continuous wedding
- People buy their cars taking into consideration the resale price only regardless of whether they like it or not. They do not look into the model, not the comfort and not its outside look
- All churches have been transformed into libraries
- The country has no tourism and no services for that. One day into the capital is enough to discover it completely
- There are no Japanese (Sushi) restaurants in Algiers
- They deal with lots of cash. Thousands of dollars in paper money: Few use credit cards or cheques here. I carried a 100,000euros bag and walked on the street normally
- Every household has its own satellite receiver: Imagine the millions installed on all the balconies and how ugly they are
- Excuse me to say it that way but this city is unacceptably dirty
All the restaurants I've tried... None amazed me:
Bilad E Cham, Mazafran: The Worst Lebanese Restaurant on Earth
Le Tantra: The Only Decent Food I’ve had in Alger
La Veranda Algeria: Nothing Seems to be Right Around Here
Al Yasmine Snack, El Djazira Hotel
Hippopotamus, Al Biar: Dirty, Disgusting and Unprofessional
Le Petit Navire: Eating Delicious Seafood on the Sidewalk
Garantita: More than a Simple Tradition, but Algeria’s History in a Sandwich
Nour El Hani: A Decent and Tasty Pastry Shop in Algeria
- They have delicious black olives
- Their local beer "Tango" is a must try. I've had dozens in couple of days
- I liked the restaurant and shopping district in the city of Sidi Hydra
- Their seafood is good and affordable
- The French left a beautiful area in downtown next to the port, unfortunately left unattended. This can be the main touristic attraction of this country
- The food is really not good. Under the minimal acceptable average
- The capital is too dirty
- Nightlife is close to inexistent. Streets are scary at night