Algerie Update

[ya falaha! 0]

Mohamed would tell me to not talk while we were in shops so that no one would know I was foreign. It worked. The only time someone attempted to over charge us was at Sala'adin's citadel in Cairo. We went one day and bought batteries. They charged Mohamed 8LE. The next day we went again and I was talking to Mohamed while we were waiting to buy more batteries. The man tried to charge us 15LE. Mohamed said..I will only pay what I paid yesterday. Haha gotcha!

[PalestineMyHeart 1,897]

Morocco seems to thrive on tourists. I hate shopping there because once they see me the price triples instantly. Taxi drivers will charge you way more if you're a tourist. It's so annoying. When that person tried to steal my purse there were like 50 people watching, none of which even moved one inch. I wa slike hello can someone help me!!!!!! Later I got into a taxi and the driver said I saw what happened earlier and good for you to pull back and not let him take your bag. I asked him why he didn't offer to help or call the police nearby and he just laughed. I better stop before I get more angry.

Tourist areas are definitely the worst. I should have mentioned that certain areas of Jerusalem have more than their share of sharks (both Palestinian and Israeli) who will quote grossly inflated prices. But I found that holding up an item and asking the price... then reacting with dismay, putting the item back quickly, and starting to walk away -- this often brings the price back down to earth quite rapidly. Same technique works with taxi drivers who get greedy -- there is plenty of competition for your $$$.

But I do make a habit of tipping generously for good service delivered at a fair price !

-MK

[Henia 11]

This reminds me of the one time I left our hotel alone to cross the street and use the payphone. Someone tried to steal my purse and that was the end of that! haha. Good job Henia, be careful!

That's terrible !

I have to say that I have found people to be very honest in the West Bank -- at least the ones I've been lucky enough to encounter al7amdolillah.

One time in the West Bank, loaded with bags, I accidentally left one on the service (minibus/passenger van that serves for mass transit) and started to walk away -- it contained a very nice camera and other valuables -- the other passengers noticed it and alerted the driver, and he came after me to return it.

Another time on a service, I inadventently paid too much for the fare. (Everyone passes up their money to the driver, and he passes back the change in a big handful. Each person picks out their change, and passes it on to the next person.) I had passed up 5 shekels. Thinking the fare was 3, I only took 2 shekels from the change. When the change finally reached the last person, he found an extra 1/2 shekel. Well you would think he would just keep it -- it's only worth about 12 cents -- but nooooooo. There was an intense discussion of how an extra shekel could have possibly gotten into the pile. The driver said noooo it wasn't his. So the passengers in the back seat started checking with each person to see who had paid too much. They would not rest until they tracked down who it belonged to, and returned it.

-MK

-MK

Morocco seems to thrive on tourists. I hate shopping there because once they see me the price triples instantly. Taxi drivers will charge you way more if you're a tourist. It's so annoying. When that person tried to steal my purse there were like 50 people watching, none of which even moved one inch. I wa slike hello can someone help me!!!!!! Later I got into a taxi and the driver said I saw what happened earlier and good for you to pull back and not let him take your bag. I asked him why he didn't offer to help or call the police nearby and he just laughed. I better stop before I get more angry.

Yes I have seen my fair share of dishonest people here in Algerie, but I think most of them are very correct. I myself have had no problems. But then again, Algerie is not tourtisty no people do not think to target tourtists. And also I think if you DON'T look like a tourtist that also helps not to be targeted. Cos come on tourtist come with lots of money, cameras, new clothes, etc... so of course... prime targets.

Here I have found there more thieves in Alger where umeployed youths are just hanging out in the streets. And also I have noticed begging is a common and natural thing to do. I have been asked I think about 15 times already since coming here. And actually a older women came to the door begging for money...hmmm that was strange to me, since our home is inside a complex labyrinth of paths... M must have know I had a few extra diners lola