Walk on Algeria

• Walk on Algeria

In Algeria I was almost by accident. I was in Alicante, possessed a couple of days off, looked at some interesting places planes fly, and it turned out that the fly except Algeria, more and nowhere. In Ibiza, in the end.

In all languages ​​of the world decent name of the country and its capital, Algeria sound different, and only in Russian - the same way. It is certainly convenient. The rest of the city of Algiers - is not the most tourist-friendly city, all 170+ of where I was. In addition to all the little things like the total lack of understanding of English, machine gunners at each intersection, of targets for you out of the Kalash for trying to point the camera at the building with the flag, it is impossible to buy a map of the city, even in the national tourist office and Ramadan in the yard, the biggest trouble - the unpredictability of human reactions . Someone asks you to take a picture, but someone at the sight of the camera aimed at the mosque, starts to squeal like a stuck pig and try to throw a stone.

However, there is a view that. Until the early 60's in Algeria, the French were the main. Then the Arabs decided that a colony is no longer fashionable, and drove out the French. Those who did not flee were cut in the best revolutionary traditions, and major vyrezalschikov made national heroes and presidents. The legacy left Algeria French, aversion to the English, baguettes, street signs and waterfront houses in Art Deco style.

The French went to Algeria unless Zidane. Quay is called, by the way, Boulevard Ernesto Che Guevara. Highway Ramses the Third would look more organic in Moscow.

Boulevard looks very decent. It was not that nice, but it is currently Europe.

Even boats available; adjusted for local revenues.

Shops, however, are such that they can only porazglyadyvat fence, but Algeria have yet to think about in addition to the convenience of the visitors.

But the present embankment Algeria has nothing to do. Until now, Algeria, on the boulevard Che Guevara about 30 meters deep.

That is rusting and overgrown mud horse fountain - it is closer to the truth.

Rare guides say that the best view of Algeria opens from the monument seems to be the heroes of the Revolution.

Well, or at least from the Notre Dame daAfrik (African Mother of God Cathedral, sorry).

I responsibly declare - lie. The best view of Algeria opens the roof Magi House.

Magician - a bearded man, who lives in the Kasbah district, offered a passing tourists come to visit. 10 years from now on the roof of the Magi House is a terrace of some MagaOldTaunButikOtelAlzhir with cocktails at 15 euros, but until then drying clothes.

Underwear and a satellite dish - a must any Algerian roof or balcony.

Regardless of the architectural style of the building and its location. There is hardly a worthy competitor to Algeria by the number of satellite dishes per square meter facade of a residential building in the world.

Back in the Kasbah. Kasbah - it is actually the old town, with its narrow winding streets.

houses and streets of the Kasbah, the bulk of 600-700 years. Advanced age leads to the fact that houses are sometimes collapse. Collapsed houses are not restored, and make their vacation spot zone. A characteristic feature of these recreation areas is the presence of benches or seats, or back, but not both simultaneously.

In theory, there is street names and house numbers, but on many maps Kasbah represent just a white spot.

On the streets of Algerian huge number of old abandoned cars.

According to old traditions of the African state in Algeria defines only the format of numbers on the license plate, a piece of iron just make out local designers-craftsmen. Austrian motorists are looking at the result of their work with bewilderment.

Craftsmen in Algeria do a lot. In their tiny workshops they do everything, from shoes to plumbing. Revelation of the shoe master: "I do love women. And the men that? Buy one pair of shoes and wear two years. " The typical store-workshop.

The best there is in Algeria - plates and pointers.

White bilingual - French heritage.

In the stop signs and road signs with Arabic script, I fell in love straight yet.

And plitochki beautiful.

tiles here even stalls with dates trim.

In general, the city gives the impression of an old impoverished aristocrat: it is clear that once it was cool, but really a past life. Walking the streets, you catch yourself constantly on the desire to clean the rust on signs, ...

... podrkasit facades of houses in the central streets, ...

... weed weeds in the yard all but the main mosque of the city, ...

... change the water the fish in the yard of the house-museum, ...

... or at least on the central beach clean up.

On the last day discovered after the internets English speaking guide put me in the car and drove somewhere out of the city: "Trust me, you will like it". We arrived. Well, of course, Like. The ruins of the Roman city by the sea, and no one around.

In general, a single soul. Neither tourists nor local or souvenir sellers. Amphitheater, temples, house - only for you.

At some point, I look down at his feet and saw this.

The color mosaic, IV century. 1700 years in the open air, 30 meters from the sea, 350 days a year under the scorching sun. And it looks like it Moldovans put four years ago.

And you are no museum walls and glass around, supervisor or even the ropes. Walk yourself on semnadtsativekovoy Roman mosaic, a finger poking around, enjoy the views and tranquility.

In ten years then, of course, washed clean. And to build a hotel, poduchat foreign languages, will establish a supply magnets in China, and the cream of domestic tourism lomanetsya for burning instead of Egypt with Tunisia in the land Al Jazeera. Mark my words. In general, if you want to Roman mosaics not for the ropes to look, then catch a short time: Algeria still cool, it is already easy to get, but this is still very few people do not know.

Of the approximately 75 airports, through which to me passes flying, Algiers Houari Boumediene - the only one where a metal detector frame has to pass three times (at the entrance to the airport building, at security check-in, and the ladder, 10 meters to the aircraft entrance), and passport checked 6 times.