Traveling on a Budget

There are so many places to visit and so many sights to see one could not possibly do them all in a life time. But one thing is for sure when your wallet or purse isn’t bulging over you shouldn’t have to make to many compromises on your destination choices.

The way one travels and the style they choose should not determine the destination, you can still see Paris or London on a shoe string budget. Learning how to travel on this sort of budget may not always be the funnest way to travel however you can still visit all the same historical and beautiful sights once you have reached your destination.

Here are a couple of hints when traveling on a budget,

  • search all the major websites for travel discounts
  • try and make flight and hotel accommodations into a bundle to save even more
  • look into bed and breakfast lodging, it is usually cheaper than a traditional hotel
  • plan your trip ahead of time, know where and what you are going to do before you go

Traveling on a whim is usually much more expensive than knowing what and where you are going before you get there. If you happen to know someone where you are traveling to try staying with them a couple of nights and save that way. And while you are with them get all the name of the local places to eat and visit as these are always much cheaper than those that are in the travel districts.

Finally know your limitations, if you can not afford to visit a certain sight than steer clear of that place. Nothing is worse than wanting do go somewhere and torturing yourself over whether or not you should go, if it is not on your list it is not an option.

Keep all these things in mind and your vacation should prove to be one of your best as long as you stick to the script.

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Shopping While in Algeria

Whenever someone goes on vacation they like to bring back souvenirs for their friends and family. If you are heading to Algeria you might wonder where the best places to pick up souvenirs are. Here is a look at some of the common souvenirs people purchase while in Algeria and where you can find them when you visit the country.

Types of Souvenirs. The most common types of souvenirs include leatherware that is handcrafted, hand woven rugs, copper jewelry and brass items. Local dresses and outfits are also common souvenirs. Some souvenirs that are local to the area also include intricately dyed basketwork that comes from the Sahara region and Berber carpets that are handcrafted and beautifully designed. Handcrafted pottery is also very popular in the Algerian area. Pottery is usually painted in beautiful colors and by hand.

Purchasing Items on the Streets. Algeria is filled with a lot of street vendors. Some of the best souvenirs come from these street vendors. There are a few things to remember when purchasing items from street vendors in Algeria. First, you should make sure that the items are not counterfeit. Counterfeit items can land you in trouble with the Algerian government as well as the United States government. Second, bargaining is a very big part of the street vendor service. So what price they ask is not what they expect and you have a lot of room to bargain when it comes to street vendors and small local Algerian shops. The best place to find small local shops and street vendors is at the rue Didouche Mourad which is the largest shopping district in Algeria.

Base Priced Stores. There are three places that you can purchase base priced items. These items are set at a price and there is no bargaining required. You can purchase the items at the Algiers airport and two locally run craft centers.

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Problems Visitors Face When Visiting Algeria

Algeria is a county that has been on the brink of a civil war for a number of years. If you are considering traveling to this African country you will need to know what you can expect to experience while in Algeria. Here is a look at some of the common concerns and problems that will arise for travelers to Algeria.

Fake Roadblocks. Fake roadblocks are a common problem in the outskirts of Algeria. People will set up roadblocks that look like a normal roadblock that are put up by the government. When the people stop at the fake roadblocks the people will rob them and sometimes kill them. This is why it is recommended that you always travel with an Algerian guide as they will know how to avoid these roadblocks.

Car Jacking. Car jackings are very common in Algeria. Sometimes these occur by having the people set up fake roadblocks. Other times the people just walk right up to the car and will take the car. Many times it is recommended to just let them have the vehicle as these people have been known to murder or kill over the vehicle.

Car Bombings. Car bombings have become a regular problem in Algeria. While there is nothing that you can do to prevent a car bombing attack you can try to stay in well known hotels and off the streets at night.

Terrorist Attacks. Algeria is still at risk of terrorist attacks even in the city capital. These attacks are done from the back of wheeled vehicles and include multiple guns and shootings.

Kidnappings. Kidnappings are a major concern for travelers. Terrorist groups will often try to kidnap overseas visitors in an attempt to gain notability and the attention of the Algerian government. It is advised to travel in groups through Algeria due to the concern over kidnappings.

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Languages of Algeria

If you are planning on visiting Algeria you will need to know about the language of Algeria. There are four major languages spoken through Algeria. These languages include Arabic, Berber, English and French. Here is a look at the statistics of the languages and how widely spoken these languages are throughout the country of Algeria.

Arabic. Arabic was the official national language of Algeria. Throughout the country of Algeria everything is spoken in standard Arabic. Over 83% of the population speaks some form of Arabic. It is believed that 78% of those that speak Arabic speak the Algerian Arabic and 5% speak Hassaniya. Even those that speak other languages speak Arabic as a second language.

Berber. Berber was made a co-national language of Algeria in 2002. About 40% of the population speaks Berber. However, Berber is most popularly used in the Aures, Kabylia and Sahara. Berber is still commonly used in the Algerian capital city. It is assumed that historically Berber was the main language of Algeria and was replaced over the years with Arabic which is why Berber was added as a national language in 2002.

French. French is the most popular foreign language of choice by those in Algeria. It is taught in every Algerian school. Even those that do not know how to speak French fluently understand the language and can speak a little bit of it. In recent years French has started to make its way into the early classroom curriculum. Occasionally French will be used by the major national media outlets and found in the newspapers and news programs.

English. English has started to make its way into the Algerian language. In the 1990s it was decided to start teaching English to those in middle school to allow them to become accustomed to the language. However, English is not widely spoken in the country of Algeria.

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An Overview of the Algerian Government

Every country has a political system or structure. Each political system and structure is unique to the country’s history and belief system. Due to the political instability in Algeria the Algerian government and politics are always changing. Here is a look at the basic elements of the Algerian political system.

Political System. Algeria is set up in a presidential republic with a mix of constitutional republic. A presidential republic allows the president of the country to be considered a head of state while the prime minister of the country runs the governmental side of it. The constitutional republic side comes in with the public voting who they wish to have elected to office.

Voting Age. Algeria allows citizens of the country to vote once they turn 18.

The President. The President of Algeria is a head of state that is used like a political diplomat. The President is voted into office for a five year term. In 2008, the Algerian constitution was changed to allow any Algerian President to run for multiple terms.

The Prime Minister. The Prime Minister is appointed by the President of Algeria and is in charge of the government aspect of the country.

The Parliament. The Algerian parliament is considered bicameral which means it is made up of two chambers. The two chambers are the National People’s Assembly and the Council of Nation. The National People’s Assembly is made up of 380 members that are elected to their position by the public. The Council of Nation is appointed to office by the Prime Minister and is made up of 144 people.

Election Terms. The National People’s Assembly is elected to their position in parliament for a period of five years. They are allowed to run again after their term has expired. The Council of Nation stays in office until the Prime Minister wishes to change who is in office.

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A Look at the Violence in Algeria

Algeria has long been associated with extremely violent conditions that have caused many deaths and suffering to the people who live there. In fact, in the early 90s it was almost impossible to gain a travel visa to Algeria due to the extreme violence the country was going through. Here is a look at the violence and suffering suffered through Algeria and what the Algerian government is doing to improve conditions throughout the country.

In 1990 the violence in Algeria reached an all time high. Previously there had been some terrorist activities but nothing like how it was in 1990. It was estimated that over 150,000  deaths were caused by terrorist activities. There were constant bombings, car bombings and random street violence throughout Algeria.

The Algerian government has done a lot since the 1990s to address the underlying violence that the nation has. The first step to addressing the violence included addressing the major issues that were causing the terrorist activities. This involved working with the opposing forces to address the main concerns that were being presented.

While Algeria has not seen a period of intense peace it has seen a lot of the political turmoil and terrorist activities diminish. This is due to President Bouteflika’s Charter of Peace and National Reconciliation. Many extreme groups that were the cause of the turmoil and terrorist activities have signed this charter and started to move on. This compromise with these groups has allowed Algeria to recover from the extremely violent conditions it used to have.

Even with this Charter of Peace and National Reconciliation there is still a threat to those that are in Algeria. The most extreme threat that presents itself is that of the extreme group of Islamists known as al-Qaida. These groups are still responsible for a large majority of the political and religious turmoil that Algeria experiences today.

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A Look at the Algerian Educational System

Educational systems can tell you a lot about a country. Over the past couple of years the Algerian educational system has changed and grown to what it is today. Here is a look at some of the highlights of the Algerian educational system.

The Algerian educational system was almost non-existent when Algeria was under French rule. Education was dependent upon parents teaching children and no real structure or educational system was in place. However, once Algeria gained its independence from France in 1962 it was able to start developing an educational system.

It wasn’t until 1999 that Algeria was really able to devote the energy and resources to a properly built educational system structure. The newly developed educational system requires that students attend school until the age of 16. The government funds the educational system and pays for all students’ education. It is estimated that over five million Algerian children attend a school through the Algerian educational system.

However, there are limitations to the Algerian educational system. Algeria is a country that is constantly growing in population. This population growth has put a high demand on teachers and larger schools. However, the country of Algeria does not have the funds or resources to devote to more teachers or larger schools. It is not uncommon to see small school structures cramped with students or teachers overwhelmed with students because of this demand on the educational system.

Due to this limitation it has caused the country to devote the time and energy to their educational system. In 2004, Algeria launched an extensive educational reform review that looks at the whole educational system and how it can be improved.

Despite the efforts to devote educational resources, Algeria still does not have an established college or university. Students who wish to continue their education must attend a college or university in Europe or Canada.

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Avoid Counterfeit Items, Avoid Jail Time

While on a vacation or traveling through the country of Algeria you may be presented with people who are selling bootlegged or counterfeit goods. While it might seem innocent enough to purchase such goods from these people it is advised to stay away from these goods.

Travelers to Algeria are advised to stay away from the bootlegged or counterfeit goods for a number of reasons. The first reason is that it is against the law in their country of origin. Even if nothing happens to the traveler when they purchase the bootlegged or counterfeit goods, something could happen when they land. For example, if a United States citizen purchases counterfeit goods in Algeria and travels back to the United States. While they are in customs coming back into the country the counterfeit goods could be found and the traveler could be punished according to the United States laws. Most laws in the United States require fines and jail time depending upon the type of counterfeit goods.

The second reason that travelers should avoid bootlegged or counterfeit goods is because it could be against the law in Algeria. Algeria has a lot of areas that are governed by local laws. Depending upon the local law in the area you purchased the good it could be against the law. Breaking Algerian law could result in stiff fines, harsh jail conditions, being expelled from the country and other punishments. It is hard to say what the consequence will be because many of the Algerian areas have their own independent laws and consequences.

Even though it might seem innocent enough to purchase bootlegged or counterfeit items while traveling through Algeria it is best that you stay away from them. You never know what laws you could be breaking and fines or jail time can be very hefty depending upon the infraction.

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Algerian Law: Applying for a Tourist Visa at the Algerian Boarder

In order to visit the country of Algeria you will be required to have a tourist visa. Tourist visas are usually obtained through an application that occurs while you are in your home country. However, sometimes you may not have planned in advance on visiting Algeria and are now at the mercy of the boarder crossing guards. There are ways to obtain an Algerian tourist visa at the boarder but it can be difficult. Here are some recommendations on trying to obtain a tourist visa while at the Algerian boarder.

Have Accommodations Ready.  The Algerian boarder crossing will not grant you a tourist visa unless you can show proof that you have accommodations ready for you in Algeria. This can be a hotel, friend or a vacation rental. You should have proper documentation that you are confirmed to stay there. Make sure you have at least three copies of the documentations so that you can provide one to the boarder crossing station and keep the rest.

Have a Guide Ready. It is recommended that you get a travel guide while you are in Algeria. However, you stand a better chance of being granted a tourist visa if you already have a guide lined up and ready. Guides will also ensure your safety in parts of Algeria where it is unsafe to travel unaccompanied.

Have all Documentation Ready. Even though you are getting a visa at the boarder you will still be required to present the necessary documentation. You will have to show a valid passport that still has at least six months remaining until it expires. You will also be required to pay the visa fee for an Algerian visa, this fee is currently $135.

Remember that even though you have all these items you may not be approved to enter Algeria. The boarder crossing station is not required to issue a tourist visa.

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Algerian Law: Applying for a Tourist Visa to Algeria

Many countries do not require a United States citizen to acquire a visa in order to travel to their country. However, in order to visit the country of Algeria you must apply and be approved for a tourist visa. If you are considering taking a trip to the second largest country in Africa it is important to know what you need to do to get your tourist visa. Here is a look at the steps you will need to do to get a tourist visa.

Passport Requirement. You will be required to have a United States passport in order to apply for a tourist visa. However, unlike some countries the passport needs to be valid for at least six months before you can apply for a tourist visa to Algeria.

Photography Requirements. It is standard procedure to have to take a photo for your passport. However, the Embassy of Algeria requires that a United States citizen submit two recent photos of themselves taken with a completely white background.

A Visa Fee. In order to apply for a tourist visa to Algeria you will have to pay a processing fee. This fee can only be paid via a money order. The current fee for a tourist visa to Algeria is around $135.

Visa Application. The visa application for tourists to Algeria must be typed out. There is also a requirement that the applicants send in two copies of the application to the Embassy of Algeria. All documentation must have a hand written signature to verify the authenticity of the papers.Otherwise you may face legal issues.

Flight Schedule. When applying for a tourist visa to Algeria you will be required to submit a flight schedule detailing what airline you will be taking, when you leave, where you will arrive in Algeria and when you leave Algeria. Without this information your tourist visa will be denied.

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