So in order to go to Algeria I need to obtain a tourist visa.  In order to obtain said visa I need proof of employment and proof of address while in Algeria.  I have no job currently, and not only do I not know where I’m staying, I don’t know when I’ll be there.  The website is chronically vague and when I called for more details I was on hold for forty minutes and then the nice lady at the embassy hung up on me when I asked for clarification.

Add to all that, this email from Claudia’s father who has spent a great deal of time out there:

“…

Well, as your old grandmother used to say, “There’s one born every minute!”
He can get a visa at the Algerian Consulate in London and see what happens.  He might get in touch with the Foreign Office and see what their reaction would be.
I think he might find it rather difficult. I am not sure the Algerians will like the idea, but one never knows.  Is he an academic? There might be an excuse there. Fact is, there are few if any people going to Algeria except for business reasons, and going anywhere outside Algiers requires a police escort.

…”

Sooooo… given that the best Carthaginian ruins are in Tunis, and that the Tassili n’Ajjer is miles from anywhere, I think I’mma bypass Algeria.  That makes the North Africa trip slightly light, going from Egypt straight to Tunisia straight to Morocco, but maybe I can give those places more attention as a result.

Thanks but no thanks Algeria, I’ll see you another time.