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I am from Algeria. I've been to Tipasa multiple times when I was a student in Algiers, the capital, since it was a very short ride. Tipasa has a truly magical c

by afr0ck 5y ago

I am from Algeria. I've been to Tipasa multiple times when I was a student in Algiers, the capital, since it was a very short ride. Tipasa has a truly magical coast, with all the amazing Numidian, Roman and Byzantine ruins, but also the sea. While there, you observe the blending of the mountains, the rocks, the beautiful, calm and shining Mediterranean sea and all the temples and the ruins. It takes you to another dimension of feelings and relaxation. It was a very good place of inspiration for me. Algeria is a kind of a hidden gem. There are many other impressive sites and much larger and better preserved Roman cities. Few minutes from my hometown, Setif, there is Djemila [1]. The preserved arches, basilicas, bathes, theatres and markets is just super impressive. A larger and bigger site is in Batna, a neighboring city of Setif. The site is called Timgad [2], usually the preferred place for cultural events. Timgad is definitely one of the greatest world heritage sites, absolutely on the same order of Pompeii. Another impressive city is Constantine [3], or equally Béjaïa and also obviously the The Casbah in Algiers [4]. On the Sahara side, there is the Tassili [5] and The Hoggar mountains. edit: typos [1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dj%C3%A9mila https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dj%C3%A9mila [2] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timgad https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timgad [3] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Constantine,_Algeria https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Constantine,_Algeria [4] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Casbah_of_Algiers https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Casbah_of_Algiers [5] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tassili_n%27Ajjer https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tassili_n%27Ajjer

sayrer 5y ago
It's very difficult for Americans to travel there. But I got the visa once, and went to Oran and Algiers. I had to send my passport via Fedex to the Algerian consulate in NYC and cross my fingers. There are strange rules about whether you have to send it there or to Washington DC, based on which US state you live in (no one in the US cares about this). Beyond that, it can be difficult for Americans to understand French with any unconventional accent, let alone understand Arabic at all. I know enough words to count and understand what the police say.
- ruddct 5y ago
  Completely anecdotal, but doing it in-person in NYC was pretty painless for me. Walk in with paperwork, wait 2 weeks, pick up visa. I’ve heard of others having difficulty though, particularly over mail.
  - sayrer 5y ago
    Everything went fine for me too, but it was difficult to figure out what to do from California. Sending my passport to them that way made me nervous, though.
  - mtalantikite 5y ago
    Yeah, plus the consulate in NYC is pretty empty, at least when I’ve been. I once was able to get a two year visa in under an hour in and out, although my father is Algerian and half my family still lives there, so it was likely a special case for them.
    - MauroIksem 5y ago
      Why don't you get an algerian passport?
      - alephxyz 5y ago
        I've heard the paperwork to get a military service exemption is not worth it unless you're visiting frequently
- afr0ck 5y ago
  The Algerian system is known for its highly notorious and absurd bureaucracy that makes no sense in most of the cases. It's a very sad thing. Even within the country, the level of bureaucracy and administrative burden is astounding. It's on another level that still baffles the mind of every Algerian to our day. A reminiscent of the communist era that largely defined and still defines every aspect in the country. Nevertheless, Algerians are very welcoming and they are very happy to see other people visit them. We hope that things will change very soon. However, it's hard to have a positive hope with the corrupt, mafioso political system governing the country.
mtalantikite 5y ago
Tassili has been on my list for a long time, can’t wait to get there sometime soon. My family is from Béjaïa and I can attest to that as well, it’s a beautiful old city.
MauroIksem 5y ago
Don't forget all of Mzab valley. The architecture there is incredible, not to mention a culture that has lived in harmony with the environment for a 1000 years.
cryptolake 5y ago
Hello from Tunisia, friend.

by afr0ck 5y ago

sayrer 5y ago

It's very difficult for Americans to travel there. But I got the visa once, and went to Oran and Algiers. I had to send my passport via Fedex to the Algerian consulate in NYC and cross my fingers. There are strange rules about whether you have to send it there or to Washington DC, based on which US state you live in (no one in the US cares about this). Beyond that, it can be difficult for Americans to understand French with any unconventional accent, let alone understand Arabic at all. I know enough words to count and understand what the police say.

ruddct 5y ago
Completely anecdotal, but doing it in-person in NYC was pretty painless for me. Walk in with paperwork, wait 2 weeks, pick up visa. I’ve heard of others having difficulty though, particularly over mail.
- sayrer 5y ago
  Everything went fine for me too, but it was difficult to figure out what to do from California. Sending my passport to them that way made me nervous, though.
- mtalantikite 5y ago
  Yeah, plus the consulate in NYC is pretty empty, at least when I’ve been. I once was able to get a two year visa in under an hour in and out, although my father is Algerian and half my family still lives there, so it was likely a special case for them.
  - MauroIksem 5y ago
    Why don't you get an algerian passport?
    - alephxyz 5y ago
      I've heard the paperwork to get a military service exemption is not worth it unless you're visiting frequently
afr0ck 5y ago
The Algerian system is known for its highly notorious and absurd bureaucracy that makes no sense in most of the cases. It's a very sad thing. Even within the country, the level of bureaucracy and administrative burden is astounding. It's on another level that still baffles the mind of every Algerian to our day. A reminiscent of the communist era that largely defined and still defines every aspect in the country. Nevertheless, Algerians are very welcoming and they are very happy to see other people visit them. We hope that things will change very soon. However, it's hard to have a positive hope with the corrupt, mafioso political system governing the country.

mtalantikite 5y ago

Tassili has been on my list for a long time, can’t wait to get there sometime soon. My family is from Béjaïa and I can attest to that as well, it’s a beautiful old city.

MauroIksem 5y ago

Don't forget all of Mzab valley. The architecture there is incredible, not to mention a culture that has lived in harmony with the environment for a 1000 years.

cryptolake 5y ago

Hello from Tunisia, friend.