C®8-Wednesday, April 16, 1980 - North Shore News A few weeks ago, I asked readers for information about travel in Algeria. As usual, someone came to the rescue — in this case, a couple who have lived and worked in Algiers for more than a year. by Barbara McCreadie They have also offered additional help and advice to anyone planning to visit the country: Mr. & Mrs. O.H. Joergensen 5736 Cranley Drive, West Vancouver, B.C. (Tel: 604-921-9382) [ve had to summarize their letter: Women should not travel alone in Algeria. The casbah should be visited only with a guide who is familiar with it. The market places, which are the best places to shop, are a den of thieves and molesters so keep your belongings clutched tightly and don’t wear any jewellery. When I spoke to Mrs. Joergensen, she also warned me about the beggars swarming there. Many children have been pur- posely mutilated and their “keepers” pull at your arms and clothing, demanding money. It is foolish to take your own car into the country — you may not be able to take it Out again without paying a hefty tariff and the regulations have a habit of changing without warning. Spare parts and mechanical service diminish as you get further away from Algiers — but “there, it ain't so swift, either”. You can rent cars. The price of gas isn’t bad — if you can get it, so never let your tank get more than half-empty. The main roads are paved but side roads and country roads are a mess. WAIKIKI *469 8 Days, 7 Nights, Au & Hote! WAIKIKI *549 16 Days, 14 Nights, Ar & Hote: LAS VEGAS *269 8 days, 7 nights, Air & Hotel LAS VEGAS *189 Michelin has a great road map of Algiers, BUT it’s difficult to buy within the country. Get it in Europe before you leave. You'd better be prepared to sleep in your car — even if you hadn't intended to camp. There are no motels, few hotels and very few other tourist facilities. If you leave your car for any reason, remove all valuable and lock the vehicle. If you don’t speak a little French you are going to have trouble. Sign language isn’t much good and English is no good at all. The water is unfit to drink and all the safety rules about food apply. (No salads, no rare meat, only piping hot food, no custards, no mayonnaise, no ice cream or other frozen desserts, only fruit you can peel). Go prepared with plenty of toilet paper, toothpaste, deodorant, film and reading material. It may take days to find a store that stocks these items. The only currency accepted is “Dinars” (Algerian currency) which must be purchased at the State Bank and cannot be exchanged outside of sie country. No credit cards are accepted and_ travellers’ cheques can only be ex- changed at the bank. When you enter Algeria, you must list all valuables and this list is checked-off as you léave. (Barbara's note: Sounds like you'd better report even the smallest theft to the authorities. I think [fd want to arrive in nothing but a pair of old jeans and a T-shirt!) Things are not all black. There are miles and miles of beautiful coastline and lovely mountains. A visit to the Kabylie villages is a must to see the handmade silver jewellery. Dining in the better restaurants can be excellent, especially the steaks and seafood. They make a very palatable — but heavy — red wine. The climate varies from cool to hot and humid (along the coast) and cold nights/scorching days (on the Sahara Plateau, south of the Atlas Mountains). ese DEAR BARBARA: When you travel, do you carry a “tote “hag in addition to your purse and suitcase? If so, what do you recommend carrying in it? ANSWER: Yes. My tote bag arrives at the airport almost empty. I use it to store our duty-free purchases, reading material and sometimes my tiny instamatic camera. As we move around, I begin to fill it with all the free literature (tourist pamphlets, hotel guides and ~ schedules) that I pick up. When we go to the beach it serves as a cCarry-all on picnics it holds the lunch and on short overnight trips from our main destination it is the only baggage we carry. We check the large pieces in the baggage room at the hotel. Some writers advocate carrying nightwear, a change of clothing and cosmetics in this bag but I don’t. If my luggage should vanish, I'd collect my $25 from the airline, buy what few things I'd need and wait patiently! Besides, if you fill the tote bag with a bunch of clothing, you've got to lug bottles and cartons of cigarettes in those hand-cutting plastic sacks donated by the duty-free shops. North Shore girls . . . have been appearing in the NEWS for \ years as ‘Sunshine’ Giris’ Tis photo feature is a constant delight to readers, advertisers, and the models themselves [nina ta) If you want a paid modelling assignment as a DEAR BARBARA: My wedding ring-engagement ring set is very lovely and very valuable. The wedding ring has eight tiny diamonds. 1 don't mind leaving the engegement ring at home but I don't want to travel without a wedding band. Would my diamonds be an invitation to a thief? ANSWER: It's possible, just as expensive wrist watches, charm bracelets and $300 handbags encourage a cat burglar to have a _ look through your luggage while you are “sticking to business”. If you’re worried, drop into your tocal department store and buy a plain “Irish gold” band. With luck, your finger won't start turning green until you get home. But, if you think a wed- ding band is going to deter a determined European male with “monkey business” on his mind, think again. In fact, the opposite may be true! European men love a challenge, especially one who will return to a husband and cause them no further problems. Passport oto while you wait North Shore Darkroom 1527 Lonsdaie 988-9813 CRUISING... A WAY OF LIFE! SO WHY NOT CALL THE EXPERT Thomas Cooks’ latest addition is Anne Thow, a. talented consultant with a sincere desire to make you, the client glad you phoned Thomas Cook! She's our representative for the North Shore and can set up group consultations or private meetings. Call her at 688-0231. Anne, Please send me brochures on {| ] Cruises ( ] Hawaii [ ] OrientiChina |) Mediterranean [ ] Mexico ( ] Europe 6 days, 4 nights, Air & Hote! NEWS Sunshine Girl, | want to hear from you RENO 3959 Write to me at the NORTH SHORE NEWS and in © Daya? Might, As 8 iote’ Clude in your letter a recent photograph and your Th : phone number I'll call you as soon as | can and omas RENO 209: set up an appointment 5 Days, 4 Mota, Ar & Hote CENTA Tours 1666 Robson Street The trusted name in travel Cook Ellsworth Dickson sunday . . Surrey, 1139 Lonsdale A eaws “689-7117. f North Vancouver ne shore. 416 SEYMOUR ST. VANCOUVER Reg. Travel Agent Na. 157-3 V7M 2H4 news