Best of 2021

Happy another year in the early 2020s! I think it’s becoming increasingly clear as the COVID pandemic turns endemic that we’ll all look back on this time as one four or five year chunk rather than as individual, distinct years. I am typing this post poolside, under a breadfruit tree, 50 yards from the IndianContinue reading “Best of 2021”

Searching for a ‘Nice Hike’ in Bajaia

I asked Adam for one thing for my 37th birthday. “I just want a nice hike.” Hiking is one of my favorite leisure activities/forms of exercise and in past posts (Spain, Jerusalem, Morocco) I’ve sought out all the spots for great walks and hikes and did them often. Unfortunately, a “nice hike,” especially one whereContinue reading “Searching for a ‘Nice Hike’ in Bajaia”

Some Good News

I am back in Michigan. If you’re counting, that’s three trips to my home state in three months. Never have I lived abroad and been back this much. And I gotta say, Algeria is not so close to the United States; it’s a long trip. But this time, there’s good news… I left Algiers onContinue reading “Some Good News”

Weekend Trip to Tipaza

Adam and I talked this week about how every Foreign Service Officer posted abroad is having a not normal tour and will forever look back at this time as say “Oh, that was my corona tour” as an excuse for why she didn’t see much of France/Kazakhstan/Nicaragua/Senegal, or wherever the posting is. No exception hereContinue reading “Weekend Trip to Tipaza”

From Snow to Sun, Another Return to Algeria

Happy Valentines Day from Algiers! Yes, I’m back home in Algeria and it feels good. We have nothing specifically romantic planned for the day. But it does feel holiday-ish because while Sunday is normally the start of the work week, we have today off for President’s Day. I’m spending the day getting dosed with sunshineContinue reading “From Snow to Sun, Another Return to Algeria”

Happy New Year, or Jet-lagged in Algiers

Happy 2020 Is Over! Or, Happy New Year! Whatever you call it. I need to admit something: I woke up today at 4pm. I am still sitting here, sun starting to set, in total shock. Mostly that my husband let me sleep until 4pm – something I’ve never in my life done. Hadn’t he theContinue reading “Happy New Year, or Jet-lagged in Algiers”

Dramatic, Large-Scale Dining Room Gallery Wall

Hello from Algiers, where the number of coronavirus infections continue to rise. There are some new restrictions, like most shops will be closing at 3pm now, and there’s an 8pm curfew for everyone. We’re still safe and cozy in our Algiers house, seeing friends in socially distanced gatherings, and working almost exclusively from home. ThisContinue reading “Dramatic, Large-Scale Dining Room Gallery Wall”

An Algiers Walking Tour

Hi readers! I published, shamefully, just one blog post in October. Not sure what happened there, and now it’s already mid-November and we’re deep into a resurgence of COVID-19 and on the precipice of the certain plummet of our current president. I’ve been advised to keep politics off this blog, but lemme say I’m depressedContinue reading “An Algiers Walking Tour”