Dancing Mad God

On our last evening in Algeria, and my only day in Algiers, we went for a walk in the area around our airbnb. This nest of cats on a pile of bread summed up a lot of the country for me.

Positive: Algerians are very much alive to the symbolic importance of bread. I am all for the symbolic importance of bread, and the refusal to dispose of it with other rubbish is something I find very touching.

Negative: As you can see, people throw out vast quantities of the stuff. Not only do they waste it, it’s the lowest quality bread imaginable (thank you Woody). Not only that, they often wrap it in plastic bags before they throw it out.

Positive: Algeria, like much of the Mediterranean, is cat country. There’s a large population of sort of feral, sort of domestic cats who do their own thing, and I am all for cats doing their own thing.

Negative: It’s possible to have a much healthier (literally and metaphorically) relationship with feral animals. Istanbul was an eye-opener for me: street dogs are tagged, neutered and vaccinated, while cats are provided with food, water, and a range of accommodation. (I gather it’s not quite so wonderful in all parts of the city, but it can be done.)

So, Algeria. A beautiful country that drives you bonkers. Bye for now!