Algeria

= = __** Algeria **__

__Map of Algeria:__



__Mediterranean Sea:__



The Mediterranean Sea lays along Algeria's northern coast. The Mediterranean allows for goods to travel easily in and out of Algeria, and is extremely important to Algeria's economy. The Mediterranean is a tourist attraction, as well as a source of business for Algerians.

__Couscous:__

Couscous is a pasta or rice-like dish that is very common in northern Africa, and Algeria. Couscous is known as a staple food in these places as it is eaten so commonly in meals. Couscous is often served with a meat and/or vegetable stew spooned on top of it.

__Sahara Desert:__



The Sahara Desert covers a large portion of Algeria's land. Besides living in a few Oasis's most of Algeria's population lives outside of the Sahara's reach, as much of the land in the Sahara in non-arable. Most Algerians live in northern Algeria along the Mediterranean coastline.

__Atlas Mountains:__



The Atlas mountains are a mountain range that stretches across western northern Africa, through Tunisia, Algeria, and Morocco. The Atlas mountains act as an important barrier in Algeria, separating the Sahara Desert from the Mediterranean coastline. These mountains are home to plant and animal life and even experience rainfall which allows for humans to live in this area.

__Great Mosque of Algiers:__



A mosque is the place of worship of Muslims. Almost 99% of Algerians are Muslim, and many of them live in the capitol city of Algiers. This mosque is the oldest one in the country, and parts of it date back to the year 1332. It is an extremely important piece of culture for many Algerians.

__Cheliff River:__



The Cheliff River is the largest river in Algeria, it is 700 km long. This river flows through the Atlas mountains and dumps out into the Mediterranean Sea. This river is extremely important for irrigation in Algeria.

__Soccer in Algeria:__



Soccer is Algeria's most popular sport. In Algeria here was a huge celebration when the national soccer team made the world cup by defeating Egypt. Many Algerians who own televisions hold household parties where many people come and watch the game together.

__Rai Music:__ \

Rai music is the most popular form of music in Algeria, Rai music has become famous all over the world. Rai music is very popular with Algerian adults. Rai music spread into Europe and parts of Asia in the course of Rai Music's history.

__**Algerian Business**__**---** **Audio****Version****:**media type="file" key="Algerian Business.m4a" width="300" height="50"

I stride into the massive building, nervous for my large contract negotiation. I am buying natural gas from one of the largest exporting companies, in one of the leading exporting gas countries of the world. This sale is what will keep my company thriving as well as help employ the thousands of Algerian employees working for this fossil fuel titan. As I enter, I see a hand-carved wooden table, below it, vibrant shades and hues of maroon and yellow jump out at me in the form of an Algerian rug. It is beautifully knotted, hand-made, with the seemingly finest wool in the world. Two swords dangle on a wall to my right; the beauty of them is inexpressible, forged with sturdy metal. While I gaze at them, two men walk in front of me, and carefully set down a large bowl filled with a rice-like food, called couscous. There is broiled chicken, and vegetables mixed in with more of the yellow couscous//,// and some toasted bread, which is typical Algerian cuisine. The scent that fills my nostrils is invigorating, and invites me toward the platters. It almost feels like my body is being lifted into the air. While I approach the table, three men saunter into the room. Their names are Hakim, Sami, and Hassan and they are displaying broad smiles, which is typical formality for Algerians. Each wears a finely woven suit, plain and black, much like one would in America, something that surprises me. They greet me formally at first, shaking my hands, but surprise me by pulling me in for a sudden hug. I reject the warm gesture at first, but soon feel the compassion meant by the givers and accept it. It is usual for an Algerian man to be formal yet welcoming to people. We eventually settle down and they start a nice conversation.

“How has your trip been?” Hassan asks.

“Good, the flight was incredible, first class.” I reply, half paying attention to him, while also staring in anticipation at the meal that lay before me.

“Do you have any questions about Algeria before we eat?” Hassan says,

“Just one, I did some research before I arrived, but I was wondering why it’s so crowded here in Algiers?” I reply.

“Well that is probably because most of Algeria is covered by the Sahara Desert, and therefore uninhabitable, so most people are forced to live up near the Mediterranean, in cities like Algiers.” He responds without hesitation.

“ Must make it hard to work and move around with so many people.” I say

“Yes, but it gives us many men to work in our factory.”

“Men?”

“Oh, in Algeria it is usually men who work, while women stay at home and tend to the family.”

“I see.”

“I hate to interrupt,” Sami bursts in, “But our meal is beginning to get cold, we can talk about this later, but for now we should eat.”

As we begin to inhale the decadent meal that lay before us the men say the word “Bismillah”, meaning in the name of God, an Algerian tradition before eating. We gorge ourselves quietly, engulfing the wonderful rich taste of the food, while still keeping a warm feeling of contentment in the air. I notice how Hakim, and Sami wait for Hassan to serve himself first, as he is the eldest, an action that occurs in many American homes as well.

Our day progresses slowly, while the men are extremely friendly throughout most of the negotiation, they aren’t about to make a horrible deal, which was certainly my expectation. One after another they continuously shoot down my offers for their gas shipment. Sami is being especially persistent.

After seeing this go on for a while, I begin to get the impression that some other company may be trying to buy their gas. My hands begin to tremble at the thought; I think that I might not be able to purchase anything. My entire company’s future rides on this negotiation. Sweat pours down my palms. I see a look in each of their eyes, as they scrunch their faces, typical for expressing doubt in Algeria.

“What if I lock you in for a three year shipment contract for 300,000?” I say,

“No.” They reply, with a very frank Algerian response.

“What about a three year 315,000 dollar contract?”

“No.”

“Okay.” I stop for a second, it is essential we finish this soon or they might walk away from the entire negotiation. “I can offer you a two and a half year contract, for 325,000 dollars, but that is my last offer.” My final offer, if it is rejected I am done, but I cannot pay any more, I wait in anticipation. They pause, and discuss with one another. My future, my perfect job hangs in the balance as well as the lives of all of my employees. I can feel an uneasy sickness in my stomach. I stare at them, in hopes of expressing the importance of their decision. They gaze back at me, one last time, but finally, miraculously, they agree. The stress is then able to escape my grasp, and happy with the settlement, we each hug once more and sturdily shake each other’s hands.

Before I leave I turn around and look at the small room I had stayed in for the past few hours. As I walk out of the doors the men shout to me “al-salám alaykum,” which means may peace be upon you in their native tongue of Arabic. I slowly walk down the stairs of the large building, then out of the door. I mindlessly stroll through the streets of Algiers, and I begin to notice many similarities to the United States, that I had not really expected. People talk and text on their smart phones, discuss sports in “heated” manners, and enjoy the presence of sharing family. I begin to take it all in, the facial tones, mannerisms, and the voices of a nation. I’m a little disappointed that I’m not able to stay longer, I can only see and experience a few moments, a few people in the life of Algeria. When I reach the airport I look back over the city. I’ve only been here for a few hours, but it feels like I’ve already been fully immersed into a completely different culture, even though in the back of my head I know, there is so much more to see.

By, Tyler Barbee

Algeria visit media type="file" key="Algeria.m4a" width="300" height="50"

I have learned a lot about the country Algeria and I learned a lot about their culture. The reason why I know so much is because my friend use to live in the U.S with me but he moved to Algeria about ten years ago. I haven’t seen him in a long time so I visited him. He sent me plane tickets so I decided to go and learn all about Algeria.

Once I got on the plane I saw a lot of Algerian people. Some men were dressed with white cloaks and some women wore face mask so you couldn’t see them. The men were a light skin tone and had curly hair. They seemed like friendly people so I sat back and enjoyed my flight to Algeria. The flight took a long time but then I finally arrived at the airport.

When I got out the plane I noticed that the weather was humid and a cool type weather. I also had noticed that there were a lot of sand dunes. When I got inside the airport most of the languages I heard were Arab, French and Berber dialects. I only knew how to speak a little bit of Arabian. Most people had the religion Sunni Muslim and a few Christians and Jews. The airport was in one of the most popular cities in Algeria called Oran.

When I got to my friend’s house there was the Mediterranean Sea near to his house so the air was really humid. I was hungry so he made me an Algerian dish called cous cous it look a lot like rice but it’s just basically grains. Then he made me a tradition drink from Algeria, mint tea. The houses in Algeria are not really big but there really roomy and their structure is pretty okay.

While I was out in Algeria I went to one of the major cities in Algeria which is Algiers which is the capital. There was a trade market and they mostly traded gas, tobacco, leather goods, and vegetables. A lot of people there wear white cloaks and sandals mostly white. I also found out that Algeria is multiparty republic.

 The women in Algeria do most of the work in the house like cleaning, watching the kids and other stuff. The men do all the labor and outside work like shopping working in fields and making money. Unlike the women in America, Algerian women have limited rights and are more described as house wives. When I was in Algeria it was mostly sunny. One the other side of town the weather is windier because it’s closer to the Mediterranean sea. I noticed that in Algeria most of the women their work for their kids. Most of the women put their children first and value the children very much. Families in Algeria mostly have trucks to drive around in because trucks get around town better than a usual car. Algeria is a nice country to visit but if you don’t know anything about It I wouldn’t recommend going by Kyrie Bryan

Life in Algeria media type="file" key="My Song algeria 3.m4a"

In the country of Algeria there are about 34,994,937 people, and I got to meet a handful of them. When I stepped into this country the first thing I saw was desert. But I also saw little villages where the women were cooking and cleaning while the men went to work. When upon arriving to the family I was invited to stay with I was anxious to see what they were like. The Asma family greeted me by asking how I was doing and how my health was. In America when you greet people you ask how they are doing and the usual response is, “I’m doing well and you?” Unlike America when you are greeting someone or a group of people in Algeria it is important that you ask how their family is, as well as how their health is.

When I visited Algeria I went to help teach. Without knowing my visit was during the month of Ramadan, which is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar. I decided to go to Algeria to teach because I have had the pleasure to teach here in the States and I love doing that. But I wanted to help the less fortunate people. I also believed that I could learn a lot from the people in Algeria. Some things I learned was that during this holiday month no one eats during the day, they break the fast each night with a feast but only after the sun is completely set. Eid al-Fitr is the final breaking of the fast. During this night they eat large quantities of food, which particularly include sweets and pastries. During the holidays they eat a bunch of dried fruits, which is a big tradition in Algeria.

When I went to Algeria I got to stay with a great family, in their village. The family consists of mom, dad and their two children. These people in the village were very nice and welcomed me with open arms. One thing I learned while talking to the daughter is that the marriages in Algeria are mostly arranged meaning that the parents of the two people will arrange for them to get married. If it is not the parents making the choice then it’s a professional matchmaker doing the work. But when the wedding finally happens, the celebrations last for days.

Going in I did not know what was going to happen. When I first got there I immediately felt the different vibes. I thought I was going to be really uncomfortable because it was new culture and I didn’t know anything, but when I got there I was so welcomed and felt very comfortable with the people there. With in the first week I was included in all the traditions. I sat while they prayed. And got to listen to the conversations they had. I enjoyed walking around the village and seeing the all the women work around their houses.

But because I was mostly there during Ramadan, I only got to taste some of the traditional food because they only eat after the sun goes down. While walking around the village I got a chance to see the little girls helping their moms with housework and the environment they live in. I have learned that cultures can be very different but everyone is appreciative for what they have.

When returning back home I was missing some of the Algerian traditions. I especially missed the peace of Fridays because Friday is the day of rest in the Algerian culture. Everyone goes to Mosque and relaxes all day. When I think back I felt like these Fridays were normal to me meaning that I could live with no electronics every Friday and I would be more relaxed. I say this because I am used to having my phone and camera in use at all times. One thing that really stuck out in my mind was that I would walk through the streets and I would see kids playing a game of soccer with anything they could find to use as a ball. Whet ever they could do to start a game they would do. This same day I asked if I could join, they were so excited that I asked to join their little game of soccer. I know that being there for one month does not mean I know everything about the culture but I can’t wait until I can go back and learn more.

Bailey Chavez