The streets have become a place of comfort for me. They have become more familiar, even though I have not ventured out far. I am able to get lost within a known framework; up directs me home and down directs me away from home. Shopkeepers exude a real, palpable warmth here. I bought a bouquet yesterday, on what seemed to be one of the busier days of the year for florists, and as I returned and passed by a crawling line of traffic on my street, someone said "SaHaa, Madame" -- To your health, Madame.
Philosophy seems to be a real thing here too, just like International Women's Day. Who would have thought. In my Arabic book, the initial learning sentences talk about students studying Arabic, French, history, and philosophy. Philosophy Days (2nd annual) will be held this weekend too, on the subject of Beauty. They even have philosophy workshops for kids (got to get them early). There is great potential here in Algiers at least for a very beautiful city. The old French bones could do with some rehabilitation, and if anything, this could absorb the very high unemployment and truly bring about a 'radiant city'. The mix of density and topography already make for a spatially dynamic city, with very deep ravines, and I think could only be somewhat captured in vertical panoramas.
Discovered an excellent place for lunch today and had a very delicious chachouka - a slow-cooked sauce on top of a bowl filled with waves of crêpishness. Served by 2 grandmothers. Must return.
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