We've been following a fellow travel blogger, Johnny Ward, a young man from Ireland. He's on a mission to visit every country in the world and is currently in South Sudan. Not exactly a country that many people have on their destination bucket list!
His website is at http://onestep4ward.com and it states that he's been to 141 of the world's 193 countries. I know that's not accurate and that he's obviously been too busy to update his website because he's been touring Northern Africa over the last week or two. But he keeps his facebook page up to date and I think he's at 146 now.
He has just finished up a visit to Algeria on Africa's northern coast just east of Morocco.
Algeria is a Muslim country, as is Morocco.
Did you know that there is a difference between a Muslim country and an Islamic country? I never really thought about it, but one of his readers explained it to him.
An Islamic country is one where they mix religion and politics. Examples of those countries are Iran, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, Afghanistan. Yikes. Looking at that list I'd say it's pretty obvious that politics and religion don't go very well together!
Examples of Muslim countries are Tunisia, Morocco, Algeria, Egypt. These are countries where they have civil law and judges and tribunals, and yet the majority of the people are Islam.
Anyhow, I was reading his facebook posts during his recent visit to Algeria and it seemed he was having similar experiences to what we do when we're traveling to a new country when we stay with couchsurfing hosts. We feel that the very best way to learn about a different country and it's customs is to stay with local people. And that's what Johnny did in Algeria.
So on one post, I made a comment that it looked like he had some great experiences in Algeria. And the next thing you know, there are Algerian people inviting us to come and visit and stay with them!
Yasmine says: "You're welcome to come, both of you, I will make sure to make you see all the beauty there is to see in my dear Algiers"
Then Merouane says: Same here, we can "share you" with Yasmine welcome at any time. There's a room and a lot of hospitality waiting for you. Cheers.
How great is that? It turns out there is a lot to see in Algeria. Another poster on facebook says that you would need at least a month to explore Algeria...there is so much to see. And once again, most people start in the capital, Algiers, and don't make it to the out of the way places.
As we've said with Mexico...the news and media never give a true example of what life is like in these countries. All you ever hear about is the bad stuff.
And yeah, there is bad stuff. It was only a few days ago that a beach resort in Tunisia was bombed.
But there is bad stuff everywhere, and we refuse to let the psychos and lunatics win.
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Yes! Go to Algeria - it would be fun to read your posts from there. I've been to Tunisia, but would also like to visit some other north African countries one day.
ReplyDeleteIf Kevin finds the right priced airfare that is probably what we will do! :-)
DeleteI agree - if more of these countries were humanized, that is stories told from inside and by their own perspective the warmth of the people would show through and there would be a lot less country-bashing that goes around. So nice these people who don't know you are extending such a huge offer - obviously nice people!
ReplyDeleteWe totally agree with you Cheapchick! We think the majority of countries that get a bad rap really aren't all that bad, instead the news makes them bad. We admit that at the moment there are a few countries that we would think twice about going too but there really aren't that many if we were given the opportunity. We think it is pretty cool too, to get these invites!
DeleteHi Kevin, I don't think the beach was bombed but there was a gunman that mowed over 19 people with his Ak 47.
ReplyDeleteYou are in some type of danger wherever you go, even going across the street. But with careful planning and a modest look and alot of respect for the place you are travelling to, you can usually have a good time without worry.
But you know that already :)
Yeah, I knew it was something like that...but thanks for the clarification.
DeleteSounds like another great adventure in the works for you guys.
ReplyDeleteIt could be, you never know with us! ;-)
DeleteI never can keep straight the difference between a Muslim country and an Islamic country. You did a great job explaining it. When do you two leave? hehe
ReplyDeleteAs Kevin mentioned, we never really realized there was a difference either. As soon as Kevin finds a really good deal on the airfare! ;-)
DeleteThe world is a beautiful place, it's a few people who can make it ugly. I think your new found follower summed it up when she said, "all the beauty there is to see in my dear Algiers"
ReplyDeleteWe agree Chris! And it is unfortunate that the media always pick up on this and not all the good things that happen or what the good people do for the country.
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