BootsnAll Travel Community

RE: http://www.bootsnall.com/articles/04-08/algeria-nutz-and-bolts.html

Just a few comments in the article about Algeria, hope it's helpful!! It's great to see info about this country!

It's certainly true to say that Algeria hasn't been the most popular tourist destination, especially during the 90s when the civil war was at it's height. However, there is always a core of French (and to a lesser extent UK and European) visitors who travel there in the summer. I think people go for the friendly welcome, the amazing food, the untouched culture (there is almost no tourist industry unlike in Marocco/Tunisia, so all the stalls and cafes are for locals) and the amazing scenery (mountains, deserts, coastline).

Common phrases change a bit depending on which part of Algeria you are in, however in general the following are accurate:
Thank you: Saha
How much: Shahal or Quddesh?
Yes: Anaam (polite i.e. if someone is calling you)
Yes: Eh (Algiers or the East)
Yes: Wah (West)
No: Laa

Getting around - taxis are generally reasonably cheap, but make sure you get a registered one as the illegal kind are often pulled over by the police. You can take a shared taxi from Annaba (East Algeria) to Tunis for less than £20 (US$10).

Attractions: Jemila (East) or Tipaza (West) on the North coast (Roman Ruins). Notredamme D'Afrique (huge church/cathedral) overlooking Algiers. Hoggar mountains in the south, and of course the Sahara desert!

Hope that helps!!