Algiers /ælˈdʒɪərz/ (Arabic: الجزائر al-Jazā’ir, Algerian Arabic and Berber: Dzayer دزاير [dzæˈjer]; French: Alger, pronounced: [alʒe]) is the capital and largest city of Algeria and the Maghreb. According to the 1998 census, the population of the city proper was 1,519,570 and that of the urban agglomeration was 2,135,630.[1] A recent UN estimate of the urban agglomeration (metropolitan area) puts the population at 3,354,000 as of 2007.[2]
Called El-Bahdja (البهجة) or alternatively Alger la Blanche ("Algiers the White") for the glistening white of its buildings as seen rising up from the sea, Algiers is situated on the west side of a bay of the Mediterranean Sea. The city name is derived (via French Alger and Catalan Alguère[3]) from the Arabic word الجزائر al-jazā’ir, which translates as the islands, referring to the four islands which lay off the city's coast until becoming part of the mainland in 1525. Al-jazā’ir is itself a truncated form of the city's older name جزائر بني مازغان jazā’ir banī mazghannā, "the islands of (the tribe) Bani Mazghanna", used by early medieval geographers such as al-Idrisi and Yaqut al-Hamawi.
The modern part of the city is built on the level ground by the seashore; the old part, the ancient city of the deys, climbs the steep hill behind the modern town and is crowned by the casbah or citadel, 400 feet (122 m) above the sea. The casbah and the two quays form a triangle.
As per these pictures... you can see that the capital city is densely populated with large amounts of apartments...
This is the main market in the city, SOOO crowded... our 'body guards' were at full force here, with one male leading us through, one in the middle, and one behind us. We held hands the whole way through!!!
Had to stop for a neat Northern African tile picture such as that below...stunning... and inspiring at the same time... I know how I want to decorate my home... if my nomadic self ever decides to settle :)
As we walk through the narrow streets, we see artisans working in their workshops... making a living to feed their families....
A leather shop sign...
Neat city streets....
A type of museum we explored for a few hours with beautiful views and displays of FABULOUS ancient Algerian bedrooms and living rooms.... an ITC... if only we were allowed taking pictures of the incredible pieces of artwork...wow....
City view.... this is what I love about the Mediterranean, it seems as though every country that touches its beautifully blue body of water has striking white buildings to emphasize the colour contrast.... love this.
Another fabulous tile mosaic...
Insanely crazy market on the street...
Had to stop off and buy some dates... of course....
As per previous post... I promised a little more information on coke in a bottle. The fabulous Aziza is seen here modeling off Pepsi and Coke in glass bottles...
Coca-Cola vs Pepsi
Coca-Cola and Pepsi are the two most popular and widely recognized beverage brands in the world. Within their lineup of beverages, Pepsi-Cola and Coca-Cola Classic are the predominant carbonated cola beverages.
Taste
Coca-Cola is the original cola, while there isn't a huge difference in taste, Pepsi mirrored their cola after Coke's, being just different enough in taste to not actually be the same drink.
Sweetness
Pepsi tastes sweeter than Coca-Cola, This is the reason why many prefer Pepsi over Coca-Cola in a blind test but prefer Coke when drinking an entire can.
Carbonation
Coca-Cola has more carbonation than Pepsi depending on what region you are in. It was said that depending on where each one was made the amount of carbonation in them will be different therefore proving that neither Coca-Cola nor Pepsi have more carbonation than one another.
Brand War
Both drinks are no longer seen as a beverage but mainly as a brand. Both companies commit heavily to sponsoring outdoor music festivals and even charitable projects in third world countries. Coca-Cola also is an official sponsor of the FIFA World Cup.
Marketing Approach
Both Coca-Cola and Pepsi try to market as part of a life-style. Coca-Cola uses phrases such as "Coke side of life" in their website, www.coca-cola.com, while Pepsi uses phrases such as "Hot stuff" in their website, www.pepsi.com, to promote the idea that Pepsi is "in sync" with the cool side of life.
Pepsi tries to reach out to the younger generation by appealing to pop culture. If you visit their website you will be greeted with flashy pages containing pop music, cars, and fashion.
Coca-Cola's website also has links for music and sports, two arenas in which soda-pop is often consumed; however, Coca-Cola's is less flashy and uses a classical appeal, most likely because of Coca-Cola's long history as the standard for cola beverages.
Advertisements
Coca-Cola had Christina Aguilera featured in their commercials, while Pepsi had Britney Spears.
For more information on Cola Wars- please read up at: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cola_Wars
Let the shopping begin... first we're on the hunt for some Algerian Berber silver jewelry for me... at least one piece. I ended up getting a gorgeous bracelet, hand of Fatima necklace and earrings... all matching with the typical coral stone. so nice!!!
Then we strolled through some old squares....you can totally see the french colony influence here...
Next we drove up the mountain to see the infamous monument...
The Martyrs Memorial ( Maquam E' chahid ) is an iconic concrete monument commemorating the Algerian war for independence. The monument was opened in 1982 on the 20th anniversary of Algeria's independence. It is fashioned in the shape of three standing palm leaves which shelter the "Eternal Flame" beneath. At the edge of each palm leaf stands a statue of a soldier, each representing a stage of Algeria's struggle.
Gorgeous view with a beautiful hibiscus flower...
We spent the first part of the day in Algiers.... the busy busy busy city... it was enough, we were all exhausted with the 'go go go' energy of the city... so we headed back to Boufarik. One thing I wasn't able to find in Algiers was the typical North African dress. The name escapes me....if you can think of it please let me know... Anyways, we ended up doing a tour of Boufarik- going to various stores looking for the right one. I ended up getting two beautiful ones...
It was so cute...Hathem ended up meeting up with us on his bike at the beginning of our tour... and he ended up following us around the whole city!!!! It was almost an hour long ride, into the night... what a sport!!!! So cute :)
This was my last night in Algeria... I was treated like Royalty... I was asked what my favorite dessert was... and look what was served (the name also escapes me...?):
We sat around the table and chatted....
Enjoyed great company....
And had just the most wonderful evening in Algeria....
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